Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Jan 3, 2005 23:04:11 GMT -5
Here are some quick shots of some Sodalite I got from the rockshed. The first shot with the flash shows the blue the best. The others with the natural light show the shine better.    Its a fairly soft stone and I find it polishes best when it is isolated in its own little 3# barrel. Polished with Titanium Oxide. Thanks for looking -Banjo |
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Post by Cher on Jan 3, 2005 23:51:05 GMT -5
WoW!! I didn't think you could get that stuff to polish in a tumbler. Banjo, that stuff is gorgeous, I just love the color, it's so perfect! Thanks for sharing the pics, just beautiful.
Cher
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Post by cookie3rocks on Jan 3, 2005 23:58:24 GMT -5
I am such a sucker for sodalite! Great job! I agree, it's probably best done in a batch of it's own. I've done it in mixed batches and have gotten mixed results. I use cerium oxide and sometimes yay, sometimes nay. Gotta branch out on polishes ;D Those are beautiful, especialy on such a soft, finicky stone  cookie |
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 4, 2005 0:01:43 GMT -5
thats one of my fav rocks banjo love that blue--you got a great shine on them i had no luck in a tumbler ,, i got a nice shine on the leather belt
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Post by docone31 on Jan 4, 2005 0:06:35 GMT -5
The only thing I have done with sodalite is polish on a leather buff. It cleans up nicely on a grinder, and sands well. I am considering faceting one when I find a good one. I have one slab, 1/4" that is all blue with very little calcite. It makes great cabs.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Jan 4, 2005 2:36:56 GMT -5
Wonderful shine on such a soft stone. Best sodalite pics I recall seeing.
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Jan 4, 2005 3:20:09 GMT -5
Hey Doc-
That brings up a point;
If you read this...
What is a good faceting pattern on something like Sodalite, or Angelite?
I'm at a loss for any design that doesn't just look like a cab of sorts.
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Post by docone31 on Jan 4, 2005 11:14:29 GMT -5
I would go with an emerald cut, or trillion. With semi precious stones, they have no ISO per se. That is the way I would go. It is what I do with my stones.
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Post by creativeminded on Jan 4, 2005 11:29:38 GMT -5
Great mirror shine on those. You did a great job on that Sodalite. Thank you for sharing.
Tami
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 5, 2005 8:42:15 GMT -5
great sodalite banjo!
kim
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deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
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Post by deepsouth on Jan 5, 2005 16:15:26 GMT -5
Lovely blue , great shine , I should buy some so I can suck them haha
Jack
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 5, 2005 19:45:09 GMT -5
you seem to be the master for the softer stones, Banjo! i've had beginners luck with Sodalite even taking a bit of a shine, but those are glassy!
Sodalite grinds up pretty nice but can be trickster in the tumbler, you have a batch to be proud of!
KD
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doit4luv
starting to shine!
Member since September 2004
Posts: 43
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Post by doit4luv on Jan 11, 2005 19:45:06 GMT -5
I have two pounds of Sodalite from Rockshed also, that I will be tumbling within the next two weeks. Which grit phase did you start with? Your sodalite looks good. thanks for sharing.
James
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 11, 2005 19:53:39 GMT -5
i've started mine in 60/90 to shape, but check it often.
it grinds quick and the smaller stones go quick. best to buy another two pounds and do two batches of 60/90 and then have a full load for 220. Soldalite is exquisite, especially if you can get it to shine like Banjo's batch!
KD
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Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
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Post by Banjocreek on Jan 12, 2005 2:39:01 GMT -5
I'm agreeing with KD.
Sodalite will run for a week in 60/90, and that should get you where you want to be at that stage.
I may hold back the larger ones, and those that aren't shaped to what I like but most all move out of 60/90 aftre 7 days.
Then I went 7 days in 120/220
Then 7 days in 500
Then 7 days in 1000
Finally 7 days it Titanium oxide with a 1 hour rinse of a teaspoon of cascade, and a teaspoon of borax.
Good Luck!!
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Jan 15, 2005 21:43:12 GMT -5
Holy Cow Banjo,
Can you tell that I am behind in replying to the board?
Those are gorgeous!
Excellent job,
John
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