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Post by Robert on Apr 21, 2003 14:57:35 GMT -5
Hi Andy
A friend gave me some Apache Tears he tried to polish with no sucess. Since the stones have a good shape, I'm going to start with step 2 pre-polish. Do you have any tricks or sugestions?
Thanks
Robert
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Post by andrew on Apr 22, 2003 6:29:11 GMT -5
Hi Robert,
To the best of my knowledge, Apache Tears are Obsidian with a Moh of 5 to 5.5
If you are happy with the shape of them as they currently are, then yes - I would say start them off from phase 2 at 220.
I wouldnt have thought you'd have any problems with tumbling in the standard way with these - just so long as you have enough to fill the barrels as described back on the site, and if the are all of a similar size - then try sticking some rubber strips lengthways inside the barrel to keep them tripping over each other in a uniform way.
Hope this helps
Andrew
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hurk
starting to shine!
Member since March 2003
Posts: 37
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Post by hurk on May 15, 2003 12:27:13 GMT -5
Hey there Robert i don't have a clue what Apache tears are? what are they and what do they look like ?....HURK
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Post by Yepp on May 28, 2003 23:40:22 GMT -5
Apache tears is black obsedian. When polished they are absolutley beautiful. They are clear enough to see right through them. The outside of it is tarnished with a white matrix but when polished/tumbled they will clean up like know other. www.dirtyrockhounds.comYepp |
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mudd1973
starting to shine!
new member of Culver City Rock and Mineral Club
Member since May 2003
Posts: 33
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Post by mudd1973 on Jun 3, 2003 14:17:45 GMT -5
Hi All,
Although I haven't tumbled obsidian or Apache tears yet, all the guides I have read claim they are "a tricky job." An old book, "Gem Tumbling and Baroque Jewelery Making" by Arthur Earl Victor and Lila Mae Victor, Copyrighted in 1962, has a full page of special instructions. I'm a terrible typist so I'll summarize it here. If you want a copy of the whole page, email me directly with your address and I'll mail a copy to you.
1. Don't mix Apache tears or obsidian from various locations. You won't get a bright smooth polish and the edges of the stones may be slightly rough. The lady who gave me my tumbler and the book said to not even mix obsidian I've dug from different locations, even a block apart.
2. Reduce the quantity of fine grit, one-fourth pound of 3F or 600 grit to eight pounds of stone.
3. Reduce the tumbling speed in the polish stage. Use plenty of tin oxide and add lots of sugar. It makes a thicker syrup which will slow down the tumbling.
4. In the detergent soap run add enough Ivory flakes to make a very thick syrup.
I have some obsidian I plan to try later after I've practiced on some easier. stones.
Ellen in LA
hmcx2@aol.com
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