bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Jul 17, 2014 13:19:37 GMT -5
I did some hounding earlier this week around an old travertine mine and able to find some cool pieces in the tailing piles. Along with the typical yellowish pockety travertine, I found some banded material. It is very similar to Mexican Onyx, and I have found some references to it as Travertine Onyx. It is a relatively soft material - guessing 3-4 mohs. This is a calcite material formed via deposits from old hot springs. I believe it would carve well and I did a quick cab last night, which broke on a weak layer but was likely operator error....but I think making cabs is very feasible with this material. Anyways, curious if anyone knows how to get a shine on travertine onyx (or Mexican onyx)? Cheers.
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Post by mohs on Jul 17, 2014 13:55:39 GMT -5
Interesting bigsky Good stuff Not sure I ever posted this heart? When I bought this particular slab –Beefstock- I thought it was agate After grinding it --I knew it was to soft to be agatized And even to soft to be onyx It had soapy slurry to it…mostly A little searching and I believe it to be travertine As far as polish goes-- I just ground it to 3000 And buffed it with ZAM on cotton wheel I DIDN’T try polishing it with cerium oxide I think I got good results As a side note this past weekend I took a ride & hiked to Tonto Natural Bridge That ‘s natural formed travertine bridge
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Post by phil on Jul 17, 2014 14:21:55 GMT -5
Anyways, curious if anyone knows how to get a shine on travertine onyx (or Mexican onyx)? I use diamond wheels, rough it on the 220, jump to the 600, then to the 1200, then 3000, finish with ZAM on a cotton buff, taking care not to get it too hot. Also, you can't do anything thinner than 1/4 inch.
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Jul 17, 2014 14:47:09 GMT -5
Good stuff, thanks Phil and Ed. Killer heart and cabs. I kind of figured Zam would be a contender.
Interesting I read somewhere on the interweb about polishing travertine carvings with muratic acid (neutralizing with ammoniafied water). I know acid will dissolve calcium...must be a risky endeavor. I dont think I will go that route but interested in any knowledge of this process.
Cheers
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 17, 2014 15:14:46 GMT -5
Yep, I was going to say, heat is really an issue when you put travertine on the polish pads. Fractures real easy if you let it get really hot. Travertine is a fun stone though. Takes a mirror polish and is so fast and easy to work....Mel
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Jul 17, 2014 15:27:56 GMT -5
That would explain the busted cab - I put some pressure on the leather pad and built up some heat...as i said operator error. I picked about 20-30 pounds of varying flavors of trav to cut so I could figure what be best to focus on when i go back. Thanks again all for the input. Cheers
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Post by mohs on Jul 17, 2014 20:27:54 GMT -5
yep I was going to mention that it seemed like travertine I did had the same properties as fluorite at least in its glassy finish
surprisingly the heart didn't racture do to heat now that I hear the warning --I'll be even more careful next time mostly
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Post by snowmom on Jul 18, 2014 5:02:40 GMT -5
pretty! the stuff we have here is purple and buff with a little brown... will watch to see what you do with it. (you will post pictures, won't you?)
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bsky4463
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2013
Posts: 1,696
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Post by bsky4463 on Jul 18, 2014 11:34:52 GMT -5
now i need to add a buffer to the tool quiver.....been wanting to get one so I guess I will start watching CL for one of those so I can ka-ZAM... variety in the colors I have carmel to yellow to the whiter stuff in this first batch. this whiter material seemed more gemmy, but not sure. will post more pics...Cheers
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