fossiler
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 55
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Post by fossiler on Mar 27, 2014 16:33:54 GMT -5
Could you use any tumbled hard stone such as jasper or agate as these little ice cubes? I'm thinking of making a batch for use as cubes. which stones do you think would work best aside from marble and granite what about clear quartz, would look like ice then. incase you don't know what I mean
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 27, 2014 16:41:27 GMT -5
I would not use something like marble because too many drinks are acidic.
I agree clear quartz would be great or jasper, agate. You need stones that are dense, solid, non-reactive to a variety of pH fluids and of course non-toxic. For example, galena is out as well as bertrandite.
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halitedigger
starting to spend too much on rocks
Lost in the Mojave, Sierras or Itoigawa
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Post by halitedigger on Mar 27, 2014 19:23:39 GMT -5
A shard of quartz going down your throat might not be so pleasant, even after a few whiskeys. Ever had a quartz splinter? Hurts like hell. The whole idea sounds a little kooky.
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fossiler
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 55
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Post by fossiler on Mar 27, 2014 20:05:10 GMT -5
I would not use something like marble because too many drinks are acidic. I agree clear quartz would be great or jasper, agate. You need stones that are dense, solid, non-reactive to a variety of pH fluids and of course non-toxic. For example, galena is out as well as bertrandite. I think jasper would be the best bet, can get some sizeable chunks here, thanks!
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fossiler
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 55
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Post by fossiler on Mar 27, 2014 20:09:53 GMT -5
A shard of quartz going down your throat might not be so pleasant, even after a few whiskeys. Ever had a quartz splinter? Hurts like hell. The whole idea sounds a little kooky. I'v never had finished tumbled quartz chip unless REALLY bashed together (they don't chip in the polish stage, I don't use pellets.)or full of faults. Think jasper would be the best one though.
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 27, 2014 21:38:39 GMT -5
a very fine grain jasper with no metallic inclusions. one that has no sulfa or other stink when cut. polished would be good too for cleaning purposes.
no reason for cubes. polished eggs would work fine. egg also less likely to chip that edges on cubes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2014 21:43:41 GMT -5
Aside from insolubility and thermal stability (going from the freezer into room temp liquid is going to be a shock), I would worry about anything with a Mohs hardness of 4 or greater, even if round and polished. You really don't want scratches all over the inside of that nice glass in your picture.
Now, if you also want to carve some rock crystal quartz old fashioned glasses, I'd vote for black or white nephrite cubes - shouldn't scratch quartz and will look good in the whiskey (still might damage some teeth if someone decides to pop one into their mouth, though).
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herchenx
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Post by herchenx on Mar 27, 2014 21:48:01 GMT -5
the ones I have are soapstone, which (I can't validate this) are supposed to not absorb the drink.
I've used them in scotch and they are net-zero for me personally in terms of actual usefulness (that reminds me I needed to do something - okK bkcak noww)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2014 21:52:40 GMT -5
the ones I have are soapstone, which (I can't validate this) are supposed to not absorb the drink. That's interesting. Soapstone wouldn't damage the glasses, but (at least for countertops) it soaks up stuff and turns blotchy. Soapstone counters get sealed with oil or silicone, and I suppose they must use something non-toxic and non-reactive on the cubes, too.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Mar 28, 2014 15:44:09 GMT -5
I would be concerned about using any rock other than pure silica. Water is known as the "universal solvent" and alcohol is a solvent as well. If you have ever seen a detailed water analysis report for well water, dozens of metals/minerals are present. Most are trace, some are problematic. How did all those metals/minerals get in the well water? They were leached out (dissolved) by the water which is know as the "universal solvent". Locally, we have a problem with arsenic that is really hard on the brain. Water leaches it out of pyrite bearing bedrock.
Drink up, but if it tastes metallic, lose the rock ice cubes.
Darryl.
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gemfeller
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 28, 2014 15:51:00 GMT -5
That concept adds new meaning to phrases like "Scotch on the rocks." I'd use Iceland spar myself due to the icy origins of the name and its resemblance to real ice. Second thought, real ice works just fine -- it's cold all the way through and lots easier on the teeth than rocks would be when you tilt the glass up for that last drop.
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fossiler
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 55
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Post by fossiler on Mar 30, 2014 2:33:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies everybody, tried it last night with some jasper. Awful, didn't do s**t, so that puts an end to that idea
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 30, 2014 6:19:47 GMT -5
Soapstone has been used for cold/heat storage due to it's 'high specific heat capacity'. It is what talcum powder is made from; should be safe. Like Rick said, won't scratch the glass. And is already the stone of choice for keeping drinks cold. Soapstone differs from Alabaster and Serpentine.... geology.com/rocks/soapstone.shtmlWhiskeystones-reveiw www.whiskeystones-review.com
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Sabre52
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Post by Sabre52 on Mar 30, 2014 7:06:18 GMT -5
Umm. Why not use "ice" for ice cubes. First off, most rocks contain salts, often bad tasting or even toxic that night dissolve in yore drink. And secondly, I chew my ice cubes and don't need no more dang crowns *L*......Mel
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 30, 2014 7:43:43 GMT -5
Umm. Why not use "ice" for ice cubes. First off, most rocks contain salts, often bad tasting or even toxic that night dissolve in yore drink. And secondly, I chew my ice cubes and don't need no more dang crowns *L*......Mel Chewing ice cubes...could be expensive Mel. Your dentist may enjoy dividends from that practice. One thing about the rock cooling method is your drink does not get watered down. That can be remedied by drinking fast, before the ice cubes start melting. A great excuse.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 30, 2014 7:43:59 GMT -5
Umm. Why not use "ice" for ice cubes. First off, most rocks contain salts, often bad tasting or even toxic that night dissolve in yore drink. And secondly, I chew my ice cubes and don't need no more dang crowns *L*......Mel Chewing ice cubes...could be expensive Mel. Your dentist may enjoy dividends from that practice. One thing about the rock cooling method is your drink does not get watered down. That can be remedied by drinking fast, before the ice cubes start melting. A great excuse.
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by panamark on Mar 30, 2014 10:27:41 GMT -5
ditto what you said about not chewing ice. I have multiple caps now from chewing ice. Not worth it now that I know what caused it.
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by bsky4463 on Mar 30, 2014 10:53:28 GMT -5
I received some rock "cubes" as a gift a few years ago. Used them once...didn't work for me. Just didn't chill the cocktail the way I was used to. They are probably frozen into the glacier at the back of my freezer now never to be seen again. It also doesn't help that I switched over to drinking my whiskey and bourbon neat. Anyway just my two bits...cheers
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fossiler
having dreams about rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 55
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Post by fossiler on Apr 2, 2014 4:38:43 GMT -5
Chewing ice cubes...could be expensive Mel. Your dentist may enjoy dividends from that practice. I'm English, we dont care about our teeth Think I'll just keep my whiskey in a cold room or deal with a slightly watery drink. Thanks for all the help and suggestions everybody.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Apr 2, 2014 8:39:15 GMT -5
We have Obamacare and can't afford a dentist. At least you guys have a choice
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