quartzlane
off to a rocking start
Member since September 2010
Posts: 2
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Post by quartzlane on Sept 24, 2010 16:17:27 GMT -5
Looking for any and all advice about tumbling Labradorite. I see a lot of comments that following the usual steps and grit , apparently poish and prepolish are crucial to avoiding the white chalky appearance at the final step. Like others say, mine looked good until after the polishing step and then dull and not so chatoyant. Help! I am new at this and it was my first batch, tumbled alone with no other Moh's rocks in the barrel. I use a Lortone 33B to keep the different Moh's rocks separated. :help:
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Post by rockrookie on Sept 24, 2010 17:38:37 GMT -5
wow !! that is tough material to tumble especially early in your tumbling career . mine , also looked better before the polish stage . i think that since the shiny sheets go in different directions wasa main part of my problem . good luck !! and ....... welcome to RTH !! --paul
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revco
starting to spend too much on rocks
Another Victim Of The Rockcycle
Member since February 2010
Posts: 162
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Post by revco on Sept 24, 2010 22:36:56 GMT -5
I haven't personally tumbled this material, but it's definitely been something that I've wanted to work with at some point because I really like the look of it polished. I agree that this might be one better left until you definitely have your process down - I've had dozens of successful batches, but this is one that I've still been reluctant to tackle. According to the following link, you might have better luck with Tin Oxide or Chrome Oxide polishes. You didn't mention what you used, so that might have something to do with it. I've usually found this table to be mostly accurate, and noticed that I've had trouble with things when it doesn't mention the common polishes that I use. Basically, I've had trouble using CO and AO, which is what I have on hand. www.utahrockhounds.com/tooelegem/tips/stonepolish.htmlOther than that, I could only suggest a similar process to other delicate rocks. Make sure you keep 'em isolated, use plenty of pellets (roughly 1/2), burnish like there's no tomorrow and take care at every stage for cleanliness and such.
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 24, 2010 22:41:06 GMT -5
Linde - A does a nice job on Lab. But way too expensive for a tumble polish. Don
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