ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Apr 29, 2009 16:28:34 GMT -5
Greetings. I am working my way through about five batches of mixed agate. It is primarily from one large chunk of red/black agate, but also includes carnelian and various other agates that I had laying around. Here is the photo of the chunk of rough I bought from eBay: photo1: Back in August, I smashed it up with a mini sledge hammer: photo2: photo3: I ran my usual process of many rounds of 60/90 SC rough in a 6 lb. Lortone tumbler, recharging every five days. This stuff was pretty hard, so it took several months of tumbling. Here is how the rough looked midway through: photo4: From there, I went through my usual route of 120/200 SC, 500 SC, 1000 AO, and then two weeks of AO polish and a quick burnish. I have two sets of final rocks on separate plates to show here: photo5: photo6: photo7: A lot of the red areas were too soft to tumble well, but in certain spots there was a really nice blend of colors. Here are two photos, one taken in direct sunlight to show off the colors, and the next in shade to show off the shine: photo8: photo9: There were various other agates in there, including carnelias and lakers: photo10: photo11: photo12: photo13: photo14: photo15: photo16: All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the results. Thanks for looking! Any and all comments are always appreciated.
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Geo-Ing Crazy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 238
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Post by Geo-Ing Crazy on Apr 29, 2009 16:46:59 GMT -5
Those are great! I wouldn't have been much of a judge in picking out that big chunk that you bought...wouldn't have imagined some of those spotted ones coming from that. I'm hearing you say that it takes a LOT of patience with agates! My FIRST batch is now in 500 grit. If I can get even half as good a shine as you did I will be pleased. Barb
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Mudshark
fully equipped rock polisher
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. Will Rogers
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,083
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Post by Mudshark on Apr 29, 2009 17:13:02 GMT -5
Nice tumble!!Great shine,love the patterns and colors.Thanks for sharing. Mike
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Post by Noosh9057 on Apr 29, 2009 18:15:22 GMT -5
WOW!!!!!!! I love those. They are so nice.
Roger
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Post by Condor on Apr 29, 2009 18:38:02 GMT -5
Super nice. All of them, but my favorite is photo #10.
Condor
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Post by NatureNut on Apr 29, 2009 18:48:12 GMT -5
Love the rough, the progress pics, and the result is :drool: . Thanks for sharing this with us. Jo
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Post by 150FromFundy on Apr 29, 2009 21:13:17 GMT -5
Really like the transluscent banded ones ... Photo 14.
150FromFundy
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Apr 29, 2009 21:18:24 GMT -5
Nice shine! You should definitely enter the contest.
Chuck
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Apr 29, 2009 22:41:27 GMT -5
Beautiful shine! I applaud your patients in the rough grinding stage!
Nate
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Apr 30, 2009 0:24:00 GMT -5
Great looking batch, those turned out really good.
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rockwizz
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since May 2007
Posts: 971
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Post by rockwizz on Apr 30, 2009 1:44:46 GMT -5
Really cool tumble. Thanks for sharing.
Ozzy
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Apr 30, 2009 1:52:55 GMT -5
Hi Youhit the nail on the head with that batch the shine is terrific
No 10 a real jem
phot 7 shows of the shine Brilliant
Thanks for showing
Jack Yorkshire UK
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Post by frane on Apr 30, 2009 7:29:29 GMT -5
I love this batch that you did! The colors and shine are wonderful and the carnelian you added has such a wonderful color to it! Fran
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Apr 30, 2009 13:01:10 GMT -5
very nice mix, and killer shine!
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wyobrian
fully equipped rock polisher
GO VIKINGS
Member since February 2009
Posts: 1,739
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Post by wyobrian on Apr 30, 2009 14:02:43 GMT -5
very nice thanks for the post brian
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Post by krazydiamond on Apr 30, 2009 17:38:57 GMT -5
super photos, i love the before and after shots, great shine, fantastic shaping, A++++++!!!!
KD
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Post by MyNewHobby on Apr 30, 2009 19:56:26 GMT -5
Wow!!! They look great!!!
As always Julie
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