learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 24, 2012 14:53:58 GMT -5
Finished a kitchen remodeling and have a bunch of scraps of "honey onyx" tile. I was thinking of tumbling it. I cut some up into 1/2" to 1" squares and rectangles.
Do you think it will tumble well?
Any tips on how to tumble it?
It does have a fair amount of grain to it.
I have a standard entry-level rotary, what are they about 3lb capacity and also a vibrator with two 4bl tubs.
-l2t
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Post by talkingstones on Mar 24, 2012 19:15:39 GMT -5
I've got a friend who cabbed up a bunch of counter top granit and said it was great to work with. Interesting material. Would love to know how this honey onyx turns out for you.
Cathy
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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 Mar 24, 2012 20:02:39 GMT -5
I cabbed some Honey Onyx and I thought it fractured surprisingly easily if I tried to work it too fast on the wheel. Maybe don't start on an 80 or 100 wheel...try a lighter touch.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 24, 2012 20:31:19 GMT -5
Biggest problem working most "onyx" is it isn't onyx but rather travertine. Do a scratch test on it. If onyx it will be chalcedony and not able to scratch with a knife. Treat it like any agate. If soft it is likely a travertine and treat it as any soft stone. The old books described onyx as chalcedony with repeating patterns and agates as random patterns. There is so much natural stone materials used on counters and flooring it is amazing. Somehow over the years travertine that looked like onyx became "travertine onyx", onyx in quotes since it isn't or just labeled as onyx incorrectly. We have a travertine location not too far away that has several different colors of what looks like onyx. It will polish easily as cabs but disappears quickly in a tumbler. Good to know which one you have.
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Post by mohs on Mar 24, 2012 20:32:17 GMT -5
hope you can post a pic
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 25, 2012 8:47:33 GMT -5
Biggest problem working most "onyx" is it isn't onyx but rather travertine. Yes, I know many building material have marketing names that are different than what they really are in scientific terms. I did a vinegar test and got fizz so it's definitely got carbonate in it. I cut some up on my 4" cheapo tile saw and it cut way way easier than some agate I cut a while back, also cracked easily. So it's definitely a fair bit softer than agate and has a lot of grain. So now I know it's going to be real soft. I guess I'll have to read up on tumbling soft rock to see if it's even worth trying. -l2t
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 25, 2012 9:23:56 GMT -5
It will tumble quickly but may not polish well in the tumbler.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2012 10:49:27 GMT -5
The honey Onyx I am familiar with comes from a mine in the Mojave desert. It is good solid material and takes an excellent polish. Absolutely beautiful material. Just remember it is softer than agates and will tumble faster with the same recipes.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Mar 25, 2012 22:03:28 GMT -5
Honey Onyx is cryptocrystalline Calcite. It is formed like chalcedony, but from Calcium Carbonate, rather than Silicon Dioxide.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 25, 2012 23:25:52 GMT -5
True honey onyx is cryptocrystaline quartz. The softer stuff is sedimentary limestone that mimics onyx in patterns. It generally is referred to as travertine. If called onyx it should be in "quotes".
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Post by mohs on Mar 26, 2012 0:54:48 GMT -5
well that how I understand honey onyx is actually calcite I know a sculpture dude who make these incredible wine racks out of honey calcite but he sells them as onyx because as he states it calling the material CAL'cite is not very pleasing Ha Ha who wants calcite in their fine vintage ? or a heart full of calcite ?
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 26, 2012 7:16:20 GMT -5
True honey onyx is cryptocrystaline quartz. The softer stuff is sedimentary limestone that mimics onyx in patterns. It generally is referred to as travertine. If called onyx it should be in "quotes". I'm 99% certain that's what this stuff is. If I did want to try to tumble it, are there any articles on how to tumble stone this soft? I could use the rotary or the vibe, or one than the other. -l2t
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 26, 2012 7:28:30 GMT -5
I had a few small pieces that ended up in my tumbling mix one time. They almost disappeared. In a rotary check every day or two in coarse and use lots of cushion.
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Post by mohs on Mar 26, 2012 12:22:25 GMT -5
does nay of oyur honey comb look like this material ?
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learn2turn
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since February 2011
Posts: 77
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Post by learn2turn on Mar 26, 2012 18:31:44 GMT -5
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Post by mohs on Mar 26, 2012 23:34:47 GMT -5
yep.. that sweeeet calcite I like cabbing it it can be difficult but it cabs gemmy when I'm lucky
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Post by NM Stone Supply on Mar 27, 2012 7:21:41 GMT -5
Hello, Ed is correct on this, it is calcite probably from Utah. They also call it amber onyx. Bottom line like John said is it is a calcium carbonite like travertine so it scratches pretty easy. I just 2 - 300 pound pieces of it. It makes nice sculptures. It will tumble, I have done it, but I skiped the first step and jumped right into the second. It is soft so check it daily. Getting the final polish is the hard part with this stone. I took each one out and had to polish them on the buffer. Still some nice stuff This is the mine it should come from unless it is imported. www.amberonyx.com/amber_onyx_quarry.htmlJason
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Post by mohs on Mar 27, 2012 11:15:30 GMT -5
I just recalled that I dropped off a tumbler to the rock sculpture dude a couple weeks ago he had told me that he had tumbled calcite before but that he didn't have a large tumbler for the lager pieces he wanted to do well I just happened to have one I wasn't using
he had told me that he only tumbles the pieces for about 2 day each in 3 different grits
I plan on stopping by this week to see if he as used this tumbler and see how its progressing thanks for reminding me Ha Ha
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Post by mohs on Mar 27, 2012 11:26:17 GMT -5
O thanks for posting that link Jason!! excellent info
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