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Post by tntmom on Oct 9, 2010 0:53:08 GMT -5
I am so sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place....
Can anyone recommend a good on line vendor for rough rainbow moonstone? My daughter asked me to tumble a batch for her and her friends (no cabs). I don't have experience with this particular stone and I don't trust on line ordering without feedback from here first! I can't seem to find anything posted in the last 3 months regarding this stone.
Thank you! ~ Krystee
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Post by rockmanken on Oct 9, 2010 7:05:15 GMT -5
Been playing with rocks since the 60's and have NEVER heard of it. A lot of the people that dabble in CHAKRA come up with some weird names for common stones just to sell them.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Ken
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Post by NatureNut on Oct 9, 2010 7:59:15 GMT -5
I have some Albite Moonstone that I hounded when I lived in PA that has rainbows in it. Unfortunately most of it is in storage and I can't access it. (for a while at least)
If you do find some, be aware that it is a 6.0 to 6.5 in hardness and has a layered quality that will make it challenging to tumble.
Good luck!
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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 Oct 10, 2010 18:32:30 GMT -5
I have heard of it and seen it in the early1990s at the tail end of the "crystal enlightenment" movement, but I don't think I have any. The name "rainbow moonstone" may indeed be a New Age name rather than a correct name but it's definitely in the moonstone/labradorite family way of things... I will look around and see if I have any, but right now I'm buried under the rockpile so even if I do have a piece or two, I doubt I'll find it in the time frame you need it. I have lots of plain ole Labradorite/Spectrolite but not quite "Rainbow Moonstone" grade -- if they're for real, I don't think they'd be selling it for tumbling material. The material I know by that name is a very fine moonstone with lots of labradorescence/blue fire. It gets nicks if you tumble it because of its cleavage, and also I found it difficult to get a polish on it in the tumbler. Why do they say "no cabs?" If it's because they don't want to pay more than a buck or two for the material, I'm thinking they'll be disappointed because I don't think they can get the grade they want for the price they want. But I've been out of this game a long time, so I'm willing to be educated if I'm wrong.
It's beautiful material, but in case my message is not coming through loud and clear...when you do locate a vendor, I feel like you should buy the best material you can find and cab it. Not tumble it. Unless your daughter really has her mind made up! You want to orient this material properly, and you want to get the best possible unchipped polish on it, and I just don't know if you can do those things in a tumbler with that particular material.
On the other hand, I'm not very experienced at any of this so if a more experienced poster comes back and tells you different...believe that person's post rather than my ramblings.
If you need an inexpensive material, and you do not have any luck finding the Rainbow Moonstone at a price you like, you are welcome to get back to me in November and I can find some Labradorite/Spectrolite that's cheap enough for tumbling/experimentation. I say remind me in November because right now I'm just overloaded and there's no way I could ship anything out in a reasonable amount of time.
But no hurries, no worries.
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Post by tntmom on Oct 12, 2010 1:40:10 GMT -5
THANK YOU EVERYONE THAT RESPONDED!
I haven't had any luck finding rainbow, or moonstone of any decent grade with flashes/fire. I've seen some pretty pictures and lots of promises, but I'm weary of ebay and tend to only buy from referrals.
Peachfront.....I'm sure you are right about cabbing... (I kind of thought that when the stone was described to me).
I'm in no terrible hurry finding it, but my daughter might think otherwise. ~K
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tristate
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2010
Posts: 1
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Post by tristate on Oct 16, 2010 19:59:27 GMT -5
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Post by firewalker45 on Oct 29, 2010 16:16:36 GMT -5
The only dealer I know of, that sells rainbow moonstone is The Gem shop. They want $30.00/a pound for it. The other bad thing besides the price is they are out of stock for it now. They sell the regular for $6.00/lb. Kingsley North sells the regular for $6.00/llb also but is cheaper if you buy 5 to 2the price4lbs. If you purchase 25lbs or more the price is $3.60/lb.Hope this helps, Daniel
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Post by tntmom on Oct 30, 2010 15:57:51 GMT -5
Thanks Daniel, $30 a lb? Wow, had to check out the website to believe it. I definitely will not be experimenting with the premium version of this stone, maybe in 10 years.....
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Oct 30, 2010 19:21:40 GMT -5
I've seen some finished products called that. Here's a pic of a nice piece that was referred to as Rainbow Moonstone:  The site I found that on has lots of finished pieces but I don't see any tumble mix. To tumble this is going to take a lot of patience and a lot of watching it. I think if you aren't extremely careful you'll end up with a bucket of chips... |
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chromenut
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Post by chromenut on Oct 30, 2010 19:23:10 GMT -5
Hey Kevin, do you have any of a cabbing size? I've not played with it yet, would like to maybe cut some up and see what it's like on my flat lap.
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