wannabefishing
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2014
Posts: 10 
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Post by wannabefishing on Nov 30, 2014 17:33:11 GMT -5
Not really sure what i'm in search of... buying for the spouse for xmas, she wants to tumble, drill and make jewelry... so i'm guessing 2" or so roughs? you know ones that will make "pretty" pieces... these will be the first rocks for her to enjoy and i have little idea on cost/value/size/anything relating to it- i just follow the xmas list lol... so any help on this would be awesome... paypal ready  (i personally like tiger eye and soladite....) but whatever you have thats "pretty" will work too |
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Post by captbob on Nov 30, 2014 18:03:14 GMT -5
Hi wannabe, Welcome to the forum!
Just my opinion, but start out with something "easy" to tumble. Tiger eye would be good, sodalite is a bit harder to get a good shine. It's (sodalite) fine for your 3rd or 4th batch, but it's a softer stone than something like tiger eye or a jasper/agate, so harder to get a great polish/shine on. I'm just trying to get you off on the right foot so she doesn't become discouraged and lose interest.
Rose quartz would be good, but it's boring. You want something with good colors or in the case of tiger eye chatoyancy.
Personally, I'd go with a jasper or agate to start off. Look through the tumbling photos section of the forum here and see what strikes your eye. Don't start off with a softer stone like an obsidian.
Again, welcome and make yourself at home!
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Nov 30, 2014 18:15:37 GMT -5
Not really sure what i'm in search of... buying for the spouse for xmas, she wants to tumble, drill and make jewelry... so i'm guessing 2" or so roughs? you know ones that will make "pretty" pieces... these will be the first rocks for her to enjoy and i have little idea on cost/value/size/anything relating to it- i just follow the xmas list lol... so any help on this would be awesome... paypal ready (i personally like tiger eye and soladite....) but whatever you have thats "pretty" will work too I've some mixed rock at auction at mixed tumble roughLee #1 |
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wannabefishing
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2014
Posts: 10
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Post by wannabefishing on Nov 30, 2014 18:48:09 GMT -5
Hi wannabe, Welcome to the forum! Just my opinion, but start out with something "easy" to tumble. Tiger eye would be good, sodalite is a bit harder to get a good shine. It's (sodalite) fine for your 3rd or 4th batch, but it's a softer stone than something like tiger eye or a jasper/agate, so harder to get a great polish/shine on. I'm just trying to get you off on the right foot so she doesn't become discouraged and lose interest. Rose quartz would be good, but it's boring. You want something with good colors or in the case of tiger eye chatoyancy. Personally, I'd go with a jasper or agate to start off. Look through the tumbling photos section of the forum here and see what strikes your eye. Don't start off with a softer stone like an obsidian. Again, welcome and make yourself at home! Thank you!!... thats the kind of guidance i need... being that i know absolutely nothing lol... will check into some of your recommendations... safe to say 7 on the mohs is the best to start with? larker- i will def check out your auctions, being that you're about an hour away from me, would be no worries about having it before xmas (which of course is the goal ) |
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Post by captbob on Nov 30, 2014 19:19:24 GMT -5
Yeah, 6½ to 7 is a great place to start. You can do a mixed batch of different stones, but try to keep the hardness really close through out your mix or the softer pieces will suffer. And, anyone can get you stones in a week. If you do eBay, you're set. The Rock Shed is well looked upon here, but I have never bought rock from them so can't say myself.
Lee, you need to get better pictures in your auctions. Your mixed rough pic is in a fog.
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Dec 1, 2014 16:58:54 GMT -5
That's 'cause I was in a fog when I took it...dang phone camera. I'll use my regular camera and re-do that and the chrysocolla pics.
Thanks,
Lee #1
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Dec 1, 2014 17:48:36 GMT -5
Pics are fixed.
Lee #1
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Post by phil on Dec 1, 2014 19:26:07 GMT -5
Keep in mind, the local pet shop sells bags of tumbled rocks that could always use better tumbling. Cheap too!
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Post by pghram on Dec 1, 2014 23:29:46 GMT -5
Welcom, you've already got good advice, get some agate or jasper to start. But be warned, some "Jaspers" are not really jasper & are on the softer side.
Rich
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(i personally like tiger eye and soladite....) but whatever you have thats "pretty" will work too 
