Jolene
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 18
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Post by Jolene on May 25, 2017 1:22:36 GMT -5
Hi Everyone! I put my first ever batch into my Lortone last week and just uploaded the photos. I would love some help identifying the rough rocks, I labelled the few I thought I knew already but check them out and let me know what you think. I just purchased a potluck bag from my local rock store and used the bag of rocks that came with my tumbler. Also any newbie tips/tricks for tumbling you want to share would be more than appreciated! The first is all of the rocks, big and small, that I tossed in. The other shots are the ones I hypothesized will be the nicest once polished. Also I really hope adding images to this thread works out for me, I have never done it!EntireRough by jolene m1. Quartz? 2. 3. 4. Rose Quartz 5. 6. 7. 8. Dalmatian Stone 9. Crazy Lace Agate? 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Agate? 18. Granite? 19. I put in the smallest photos so as not to overwhelm you, for larger resolution check out my Flickr AlbumThank you very much! Jolene
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on May 25, 2017 10:03:33 GMT -5
A few guesses I will throw at you-- 1. Looks kind of like prehnite 3. Sodalite or blue aventurine 5 Zoisite? 11. Sodalite 18. Not sure, but I don't think it's granite. 19. Dinosaur bone
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Post by Jugglerguy on May 25, 2017 15:11:20 GMT -5
9, 17. Mexican crazy lace agate
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rebeccaink
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2017
Posts: 190
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Post by rebeccaink on May 28, 2017 13:55:28 GMT -5
9, 17. Mexican crazy lace agate That's funny that those were the 2 I was really hoping got identified. Love the knowledge in this forum! Can't wait to see the finished tumble pictures!
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Post by coloradocliff on May 28, 2017 14:32:08 GMT -5
Watch that mix close in coarse part. The crazy lace can shrink and disappear pretty quick .
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Jolene
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 18
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Post by Jolene on May 28, 2017 23:14:54 GMT -5
Watch that mix close in coarse part. The crazy lace can shrink and disappear pretty quick . I checked it one week in and washed everyone, the crazy lace is definitely smaller, but still large crevice running through it so back in it went!
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Jolene
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 18
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Post by Jolene on May 28, 2017 23:15:47 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the input on my rocks. They are slow to progress in the tumbler after 7 days it is not as far along as I would've hoped.
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Post by morerockspleaz on May 29, 2017 6:28:44 GMT -5
The first stage for me is always the longest. It really tries your patience for sure. Some of mine tumble in course for months. On your rocks not all of them may be ready in a week or 2. So you just have to take out what is ready for the next stage and replace with new rock or filler. Start a stash of what can go forward until you have enough for the next stage.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 29, 2017 8:04:12 GMT -5
Hi Everyone! I would love some help identifying the rough rocks, I labelled the few I thought I knew already but check them out and let me know what you think. 1. Quartz 2. Agate 3. Sodalite 4. Rose Quartz 5. Zebra Jasper 6. Quartz (agate) 7. Looks like agate (and probably better angles to photo) 8. Dalmatian Stone 9. Crazy Lace Agate 10. Looks like a variation on 13 (whatever it is) 11. Sodalite 12. Blue chalcedony (guessing) 13. Looks like a variation on 10 (whatever it is) 14. Breccia; def. not conglomerate 15. Spotted Jasper 16. LHS = Crazy Lace RHS maybe = rhyolite 17. Agate 18. Granite - I don't think so; maybe semiprecious pink opal 19. Possibly Zebra Jasper (not sure if red is found in that) Some of these are uncertain; others may be quite generic; other RTH members may be able to add locations if they know them.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 29, 2017 8:10:37 GMT -5
The first stage for me is always the longest. It really tries your patience for sure. Some of mine tumble in course for months. On your rocks not all of them may be ready in a week or 2. Try adding some coarse SiC every few days; how much depends on the size of your tumbler.
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Post by morerockspleaz on May 29, 2017 9:59:16 GMT -5
My barrels stay on perpetual tumble. I tumble a lot of petrified wood. For me to open up a QT 12 barrel every few days is not an option. That will work for a lot of people, but I have been tumbling since 2010. Everyone has a different way in their methods. I just do clean outs. But it may be an option for Jolene . Not intended to be snarky. I keep 4 barrels running at a time.
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on May 29, 2017 11:12:51 GMT -5
My barrels stay on perpetual tumble. I tumble a lot of petrified wood. For me to open up a QT 12 barrel every few days is not an option. That will work for a lot of people, but I have been tumbling since 2010. Everyone has a different way in their methods. I just do clean outs. But it may be an option for Jolene . Not intended to be snarky. I keep 4 barrels running at a time. No offence taken. I'm sure you're aware of the other threads discussing the speed of breakdown of course SiC to finer grades... so without adding further coarse SiC you're effectively moving to the intermediate stage before the required rounding is achieved - then grinding for an age in order to round the rocks. Just mho.
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Post by washingtonrocks on May 30, 2017 11:34:17 GMT -5
13 & 14 may be lateritic Bauxite.
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Jolene
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 18
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Post by Jolene on Jun 4, 2017 22:45:42 GMT -5
Hello All,
Thanks for the replies!! I love that my rocks now have identification, thank you very much metalsmith, lookatthat, and Jugglerguy!!
It has been a hectic week at work I am an ICU nurse and work twelve hour shifts; my poor rocks were left to tumble a little longer than I had hoped (14 days total). I checked them, cleaned them all, and morerockspleaz you were spot on... only about 1/2 are acceptable to carry to the finer grit, many of my rocks have jagged edges and deeper than I hoped for crevices in place still. Also coloradocliff, you were were also correct my crazy lace is a heck of a lot smaller compared to when I started, so it has been pulled out to prevent further shrinkage. My sodalite looks great, the green jasper is quite pitted so I am worried it won't make the cut past the next stage, rose quartz has one large crack I hope to work down a little more, the dalmatian stone still has very sharp edges (must be a higher Mohs than the others).
I am frustrated and definitely was hoping to advance to the finer grind but I know patience is key if I am to create beautiful tumbles. I took a breath and I added in my not quite ready, and some of the other rocks I didn't select for the first fill and will wait, semi-patiently, to see what another seven days will bring me. This also gives me a reason to justify purchasing my second tumbler (leaning towards a Lortone 2 barrel) so when I finally have enough rocks for the next stage I can carry on working on the new rough I put in.
Thank you everyone for the support, I love it!
Jolene
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Post by coloradocliff on Jun 4, 2017 23:04:15 GMT -5
Hello All,
Thanks for the replies!! I love that my rocks now have identification, thank you very much metalsmith , lookatthat , and Jugglerguy !!
It has been a hectic week at work I am an ICU nurse and work twelve hour shifts; my poor rocks were left to tumble a little longer than I had hoped (14 days total). I checked them, cleaned them all, and morerockspleaz you were spot on... only about 1/2 are acceptable to carry to the finer grit, many of my rocks have jagged edges and deeper than I hoped for crevices in place still. Also coloradocliff , you were were also correct my crazy lace is a heck of a lot smaller compared to when I started, so it has been pulled out to prevent further shrinkage. My sodalite looks great, the green jasper is quite pitted so I am worried it won't make the cut past the next stage, rose quartz has one large crack I hope to work down a little more, the dalmatian stone still has very sharp edges (must be a higher Mohs than the others).
I am frustrated and definitely was hoping to advance to the finer grind but I know patience is key if I am to create beautiful tumbles. I took a breath and I added in my not quite ready, and some of the other rocks I didn't select for the first fill and will wait, semi-patiently, to see what another seven days will bring me. This also gives me a reason to justify purchasing my second tumbler (leaning towards a Lortone 2 barrel) so when I finally have enough rocks for the next stage I can carry on working on the new rough I put in.
Thank you everyone for the support, I love it!
Jolene
What a wonderful way of saying your thoughts. We are a big, wonderful family and we are All glad to have you as a sister. You have a tough job and we all appreciate how hard you work. I personally work like a dog every day and am always tired. Glad you decided to join us and your stuff will get better. Even wizards like morerockspleas or james had to start somewhere. Hugs from us all Cliff
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metalsmith
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 1,537
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Post by metalsmith on Jun 4, 2017 23:11:35 GMT -5
The ratios of time / patience and coarse grit are inversely proportional: - More time <-> less coarse grit
- Less time <-> more coarse grit
Add a small amount of coarse and then recheck in a few days. Recharge with coarse as necessary.
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Post by spiceman on Jun 4, 2017 23:16:06 GMT -5
Hello All,
Thanks for the replies!! I love that my rocks now have identification, thank you very much metalsmith , lookatthat , and Jugglerguy !!
It has been a hectic week at work I am an ICU nurse and work twelve hour shifts; my poor rocks were left to tumble a little longer than I had hoped (14 days total). I checked them, cleaned them all, and morerockspleaz you were spot on... only about 1/2 are acceptable to carry to the finer grit, many of my rocks have jagged edges and deeper than I hoped for crevices in place still. Also coloradocliff , you were were also correct my crazy lace is a heck of a lot smaller compared to when I started, so it has been pulled out to prevent further shrinkage. My sodalite looks great, the green jasper is quite pitted so I am worried it won't make the cut past the next stage, rose quartz has one large crack I hope to work down a little more, the dalmatian stone still has very sharp edges (must be a higher Mohs than the others).
I am frustrated and definitely was hoping to advance to the finer grind but I know patience is key if I am to create beautiful tumbles. I took a breath and I added in my not quite ready, and some of the other rocks I didn't select for the first fill and will wait, semi-patiently, to see what another seven days will bring me. This also gives me a reason to justify purchasing my second tumbler (leaning towards a Lortone 2 barrel) so when I finally have enough rocks for the next stage I can carry on working on the new rough I put in.
Thank you everyone for the support, I love it!
Jolene
What a wonderful way of saying your thoughts. We are a big, wonderful family and we are All glad to have you as a sister. You have a tough job and we all appreciate how hard you work. I personally work like a dog every day and am always tired. Glad you decided to join us and your stuff will get better. Even wizards like morerockspleas or james had to start somewhere. Hugs from us all Cliff
Well said, Cliff
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Post by morerockspleaz on Jun 5, 2017 0:39:33 GMT -5
Well done Jolene . It's is hardest in the first stage for sure. Keep up with your forward progress. Well done. Keep on rolling.
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Jolene
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2017
Posts: 18
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Post by Jolene on Jun 10, 2017 16:47:04 GMT -5
Update!
Another 7 days of coarse and I felt that most of my rough was free of jagged edges and deep crevices, although not all are completely rounded in shape I feel ready to move onto the fine grit stage. I am tumbling these rocks for no purpose but my own pleasure so I do not need the shape to be perfect as long as they polish well even though oblong in shape. Has anyone noticed a difference in polish when some rocks are different shapes, do I just need to ensure there is an adequate amount of plastic pellets to cushion the rocks?
I added plastic pellets to this stage to help distribute the slurry through my rocks better for this stage and hopefully the edges soften some more over this next week. End of Coarse Stage Those rocks are all damp in this picture
Thanks for reading!
Jolene
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Post by spiceman on Jun 10, 2017 21:44:23 GMT -5
They do look good but I would say they need to run longer in stage 1. I know what you said but still tumble everything the right way. Practice, every step the right way then the polish stage will look better. But a very good variety of rocks.
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