hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Jul 18, 2012 16:19:20 GMT -5
Hi, carvers!
Well, we're back from a successful mining trip to Davis Creek, with more glorious obsidian. We're working on postage and packing your nodules, and you'll get them as soon as possible.
If you want to participate and/ or haven't received your PayPal shipping invoice, please drop me a PM with your email address. Please use "Blue G test" as subject line.
Thanks to all for your patience with me, this is my first time for this sort of "free-for-all" offer and the next time I do it, it'll be automated or something like that, to make it easier for all.
We'll be cutting this offer off on the 20th of July, and will accommodate all takers. We'll gladly send a nodule for your Dad, Uncle or Boss, but need a separate address to ship it to.
Thanks again, everyone!
Kris
H-2-M Mining
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Jul 24, 2012 22:44:59 GMT -5
Well, we've sent out 7 nodules, and still have more up for grabs!
Alisha, what about you? We need carvers, cabbers and tumblers of all skill levels to try the Blue G and give us their impressions!
A big thanks to everyone who's taking part in this test. We look forward to your photos and analysis!
Thanks!
Kris
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rxscram
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 519
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Post by rxscram on Jul 24, 2012 23:08:07 GMT -5
PM sent.
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xXxAlisha91xXx
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by xXxAlisha91xXx on Jul 24, 2012 23:40:19 GMT -5
I'd love to participate Kris! PM sent. Thanks ;D
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Jul 25, 2012 0:34:51 GMT -5
I'd be interested as a cabber Kris! I'll pm you.
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Jul 26, 2012 18:45:30 GMT -5
Got my rock today  now to see what it wants to be! |
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Post by Pat on Jul 26, 2012 19:21:15 GMT -5
Received my rock today also. This will be fun to check it out carving.
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xXxAlisha91xXx
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2012
Posts: 284
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Post by xXxAlisha91xXx on Jul 29, 2012 23:43:49 GMT -5
I got my nodule yesterday (technically the day before yesterday now on the east coast. I have an idea for it, but I'm not sure if I can pull it off :-)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2012 7:17:16 GMT -5
I got my piece Friday and I am not sure what I am going to do with it yet. I will need to break out a fractured area and check out what looks like two fractures on the rough face so I know exactly what I am working with. I will probably go with some kind of abstract since I am new at carving harder stone. It will be a learning experience for sure.
Jim
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Jul 30, 2012 13:33:58 GMT -5
Hi, carvers! Thanks for posting the arrival of your Blue G nodules! We made sure to pick nodules representative of the average of quality materials, fractures and all. With slabbed material, we ascertain cuttability by simply dropping it on the concrete floor from about 4 feet ... If it doesn't break, any fractures are solidly healed. If it breaks, we save our brains from the horror of a "surprise" during cutting! We look forward to learning more about the advantages and drawbacks of carving Blue G, and to hearing your analysis of its qualities. Fr'instance, we've started using alumina on leather for polishing, and it's working like magic on the "blue granite" patterned Blue G! We're starting our first vibe-tumbler load of Blue G tomorrow, with over 100 cabs in various stages of grind going into the vibe. We'll start at 220, go to 600, and finish with alumina. We're anticipating great results. Thanks for participating, friends! Best regards, Kris & Al Hand-2-Mouth Mining |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2012 15:08:07 GMT -5
When you say alumina are you referring to AO?
Jim
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Jul 30, 2012 16:18:43 GMT -5
Just got my nodule today too! I'll be slabbing it in the next few days, and work up a cab~~ Thanks Kris and Al for letting me part of the group putting Blue G through the paces!
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Jul 30, 2012 19:25:46 GMT -5
When you say alumina are you referring to AO? Jim Yep, AO. Specifically, "Mighty X" From BJ's on eBay. So far, it's giving a great, though slightly "steely" polish. Looks like the key with it will be the pre-polish, as we only took the grind to 400, to gauge the appearance. More tomorrow. Kris |
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Don
Cave Dweller 
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 2, 2012 14:54:12 GMT -5
I received my parcel last week as well. Here's the first cab from the extras Kris included. I'll do a few more cabs to get a feel for the stone before I attempt a carving.  This piece cut pretty quickly and started taking a good polish at around 600 grit. The only concern I have with the material so far is that the yellow/brown/black areas have a texture that does not allow for a smooth finish. I could take the polish higher than I did on this stone, but I still won't have that "glass" look, although it would be very nice regardless. I took the stone to 1200 grit and polished with Zam. All in all, I really like this material so far, it has a "sage" look to it. |
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Aug 3, 2012 18:35:21 GMT -5
That's a beauty, Don. This particular style of Blue G has lightly silicified (silicated?) "mossy" dendritics, and they take a velvet polish at best. We under-polish it, to get that "Southwestern" look. It has the beautiful blue, without the sensitivities (and hazards ... And cost!) of that other blue stone.
In the future, we'll get you some of the other styles, and a smidgeon of the top gem! Thank you for your help!
Kris
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 6, 2012 17:51:16 GMT -5
Thanks Kris. I was surprised again the other day when this cab made a 5 foot drop onto my hard tile floor...I thought it was a goner...but it survived the drop without a scratch. tough stuff!
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TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
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Post by TByrd on Aug 7, 2012 16:38:33 GMT -5
Received my box and found a pattern that I want to carve, will try it later this week or else after I get back from vaca the end of the month.
Tammy
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Aug 7, 2012 17:17:09 GMT -5
Thanks Kris. I was surprised again the other day when this cab made a 5 foot drop onto my hard tile floor...I thought it was a goner...but it survived the drop without a scratch. tough stuff! Yep, know what you mean, Don. When we were at Quartzsite last year, we'd take a Blue G cab with us to Beer Belly's, and shock the ladies by bouncing it on the bar ... On the pointed end! The ladies got a real giggle out of trying to break it! ;D Jade tough, indeed! Still working on grinding Blue G, filling our Tagit Gy-roc C, which has a 40 lb bowl! That's a whole lot o' cabs and beads, friends! We're doing every sort of cut we can imagine, and hopefully will start it tumbling before the weekend. I'm leaving the calibrated grinding to Mr. Al, and doing lots of free forms and bead blanks for electro-forming. Wonder how Vance will feel when he gets our next electro-form order? :drool: As you're all finding out, Blue G is quite variable in pattern and hardness. We're using a range of Blue G types in our first tumbling run, which will lend further insights on the material characteristics. We hope that it ALL proves to tumble well. Of course, we'll report on our results. Later, friends! Kris |
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hand2mouthmining
spending too much on rocks
Purveyors of California Gem Rock
Member since September 2011
Posts: 495
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Post by hand2mouthmining on Aug 27, 2012 14:06:27 GMT -5
Howdy, carvers!
So, any updates on your Blue G experiences?
We're experimenting this week with AO on shag carpet for polishing, and will experiment with altering polish PH with 50/50 vinegar & H2O.
A load of Blue G is going into the #2 Gy-roc vibe tumbler today, and starting at 80 grit. We'll report on the time involved for each step, and grit/polish used.
Thanks for all your help!
Kris
Hand-2-Mouth Mining
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Post by Pat on Aug 27, 2012 14:42:05 GMT -5
So far, I am making a ring. I have one more wheel to go (14,000), then I'll see if I need to go further. No problems with it yet. Must still do the inside of the ring and the inside edges to round them out.
I'm making it along with one in Wyoming Jade, and one in blue lace agate. My second set of rings. First set broke! The rings were too thick, so I sliced them in half with the trim/tile saw. Bad idea.
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now to see what it wants to be!
