lablover2484
starting to shine!
Member since September 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by lablover2484 on Nov 8, 2009 0:41:15 GMT -5
I just bought a large box of Chrysocolla and I am still new at tumbling anything but mix, How hard is it to do?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Nov 8, 2009 14:00:07 GMT -5
Sorry to have to say this, but tumbling chrysocolla is usually a bad idea, Chrysocolla itself is pretty soft material, Mohs between 2.5 and 3.5 which is kind of a "don't dare tumble" warning sign.
In the end it kind of depends on the nature of the specific material, sometimes it is in quartz matrix which you might get away with tumbling, but more commonly it is formed with other copper minerals in a mixed hardness amalgam that will undercut horribly and often break down to nothing. If you do decide to try tumbling it, run it with other soft stones and check regularly so that it doesn't get ground out of existence, and don't be too disappointed if it doesn't work out.
BTW- have you had any luck with your pre-polish/polish challenges?
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Post by MyNewHobby on Nov 8, 2009 14:19:56 GMT -5
Good Morning! I have done this rock twice before. The first time, I murdered the batch. The second time, I did a bit better. The second time (I used my Lortone 33B both times) I loaded the barrel a bit more and added (to the brim) plastic pellets. The next time I do this batch, I will start with 120/220 and not 60/90. The least amount of banging around is what you want and at the same time, you want them rubbing up against each other for smoothing. You will not get the perfect piece out of this rock. I think the only way you would be able to do that is with a lap. I have a great little batch (well ... I think so) I really like as the colors are spectacular. Here is the link of my pictures from this batch. Enjoy! forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=trtphoto&action=display&thread=33575
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 8, 2009 15:03:12 GMT -5
Yeah, kinda depends o the material. I got some chrysocolla mixed with quartz, jasper and some other stuff from Desertdweller ( Jamie and Rodney) and it tumbled up pretty darn nice. Some undercutting in the softer areas but overall, a very attractive batch of stuff. I've also done pure chrysocolla stained quartz in the past and it came out real nice. Pure chrys though, is both soft and brittle and usually just gets eaten up in the tumbler.....Mel
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lablover2484
starting to shine!
Member since September 2008
Posts: 39
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Post by lablover2484 on Nov 9, 2009 0:41:02 GMT -5
With the polish and pre polish, I cleaned the batch and started over. I am still running them now so we will see. I am hoping for the best
On the chrysocolla, I will run only that material and I will start it in 220 with alot of pellets and see what I can get out of it.
Wish me luck
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Post by rocklicker on Nov 9, 2009 3:44:19 GMT -5
Yeah, Chrysocolla can be a challenge depending on how soft it is. Make sure you use lots of pellets and a prepolish. I tumbled a batch of Jamie's chrysocolla and it came out nicely. Sounds like the same stuff Mel is talking about, as it has a lot of quartz. Some pieces really shined up and some were more like satin. Steve
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Post by carefreechysocolla on Feb 14, 2012 12:14:28 GMT -5
Hi... Good luck. Working on my 2nd batch. 1st batch (7.5 lbs), with 60/90... lost about 2/3. I think the grit was too much for that batch. Going to 500 for 5-7 day days and then polish. Will post after pics if anyone would like.
2nd batch (see before photo), just started with 120/220. We'll see.
Dang... can't solve load a pic
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Feb 14, 2012 14:08:53 GMT -5
If it's decent quality, I would just cab it. If you need tumble shapes, rather than traditional cabs, I would still do it by hand on the cabbing wheels. At least that's what I've always done in the past. You would save more material, and you would get a better final polish on it, even just with Zam. But I'll be honest that I have no clue how to tumble it without getting it eaten away...I'd be afraid to try it.
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habbie
starting to shine!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 48
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Post by habbie on Feb 15, 2012 20:59:04 GMT -5
I bought mine from Desertdweller and had nice results. I ran it in my vib and did not tumble any of it.
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