angeltears
off to a rocking start
Member since January 2016
Posts: 1
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Post by angeltears on Jan 2, 2016 10:28:36 GMT -5
I am brand new to the world of minerals and need some input from the veterans. I take several trips a year horseback riding, and always pick up a bucket of cool looking rocks, just because I like them. So, for my 60th birthday (March) I am getting the Lortone 33B as a gift. The problem is that I really don't know one rock from another, so what book would you recommend for a newbie? I also need one that will help me understand the hardness of different rocks. Sorry, I'm struggling with terminology here. For example, I bought a cool piece of polished malachite just for display, and in the mailing, a few tiny pieces of the un-polished side broke off. When I ran my thumb across it, more came off, so I learned that malachite is softer (is that the right word?) So I'm guessing that to polish it would take more care than say, agate? These are the kinds of things I need to know, so can you help me by recommending a book?
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 2, 2016 10:39:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!!! You came to the right place to get educated....The top of the forum is the Tumbling sites,you can ask questions and post photos there. You will get the help you need to start this addictive hobby..LOL I am an old timer to hounding,but also a newbie to rock tumbling,it's easy to pick up after a few rounds with tumbling... The Lortone 33B is a great tumbler and will last you, your life time..... Jump right in and enjoy the ride! Great people and lots of education here and oh by the way,bring your boots,it gets deep in here once in awhile!! LMAO
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 2, 2016 17:44:48 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, angeltears! It may seem daunting at first, but it's real easy to learn and a slippery slope to an addiction. I don't know of a publication that would help you save the ones that may come with your tumbler. But start with something simple, like quartz, amethyst, citrine, adventurine. all around MOH 7. Please don't try the softer stuff like Malachite until you are feeling more confidant or you will be disappointed. They do sell starter kits out there, rocks included. Just browse around. Mama's minerals used to sell starter kits, i think so did Kingsley North. But usually, it's a starter of the various grits and polish. after your first few batches, you will find it much more economical to buy in bulk. Again, Kingsley North is a good source, but it depends where you are located in the country. There are a lot of good vendors on the forum, too, so check out the Vendor section.
We are here to help!
KD
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Post by Peruano on Jan 2, 2016 21:44:17 GMT -5
As for educating yourself, almost any book on gems and minerals will help you realize what is desirable and what is to be avoided except as a personal experiment. I always recommend the quartzpage.de for learning about the many forms of quartz and its relatives most of which are popular in lapidary and tumbling. Many commercial web sites have introductory materials. Try googling the word agate or lake superior agates to get sites that show both beauty and diversity and what to look for on beaches. I have an old intro book on tumbling which has a great review of what to look for and avoid for tumbling. Most of what it has to say applies to other lapidary processes as well. Talk to others more advanced in the game and borrow stuff from them or the local library. Its all relevant and its just for fun. Tom
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on Jan 3, 2016 0:22:31 GMT -5
Welcome angeltears - like others have said start with hard stuff that you know can take a good shine and isn't too deeply pitted or cracked. What part of the world are you in? I'd add that joining a local rock hounding or lapidary club would be important. They usually only cost a few dollars a year and you can see first hand what is good in the area you live in.
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Post by 1dave on Jan 3, 2016 10:21:36 GMT -5
FOLLOW jamesp in the tumbling section !
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Jan 3, 2016 10:30:50 GMT -5
FOLLOW jamesp in the tumbling section ! If agate/jasper and petrified wood is in your area you are fortunate. It sure makes great tumbling fodder. Those materials are great to learn and focus on. Welcome to the forum.
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Post by Pat on Jan 3, 2016 10:42:12 GMT -5
Not a rock tumbler, but welcome from California.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 4, 2016 16:05:25 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. Easy hardness test is to scratch the rocks with a pocket knife. Soft rocks will scratch. Hard rocks will have a metallic streak from the knife that will rub off. If they don't scratch they are hard enough to have potential and also play well together. They won't all successfully polish but it is an easy way to get started.
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