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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 25, 2005 3:06:24 GMT -5
Here is my first ever batch. Consisted of Quartz, Citrine and Amethyst. I was rather pleased, learned a bunch, and have my second batch (local river rock) in and hoping for the best. Thoughts on first ever load:1- Directions advised me to put in way too much water 2- Would've left in rough longer 3- Would buy my own tools: namely strainers, measuring spoons, buckets. My wife wasn't too happy with me pilfering all the kitchen utensils!!! 4- Someone on board mentioned using super glue for the fractures...would maybe try that next time on the quartz. 5- Amethyst didn't really work out too well. Only a couple of small pieces shined up without tons of fractures. Don't know if I got some bad rough, or if that's just the nature of amethyst. My thanks to all on this board to helped me out...namely Cookie, Connrock, James and Stoner, And thanks to all who helped them out. Lot's of good knowledge passed on here. Cooooool site and even cooooooooler community. 1st image: Left Rough quartz, amethyst and citrine. Right same after 1 week in the vibe  2nd image: batch soaking up some winter sun  3rd image: showing some colors  4th image: some fun backlighting  OK, you get the picture, any feedback is appreciated. My kids have had a blast with them and it's been a fun hobby so far!!! Again thanks for all your help and advice. Gaetz |
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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 25, 2005 3:47:45 GMT -5
Hi Gaetz, I'm sure you had a lot of fun tumbling those babies, now the crunch has come on how to get me to see your picture. Are you not using photobucket?
That seems to be the best way for all of us to share our rockfotos.
Keep trying
and good luck with your next batches
Jack
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 25, 2005 9:04:01 GMT -5
hi gaetz--- i cant get in to see the pics it says im not the owner
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 25, 2005 9:08:38 GMT -5
ditto here, not allowing me access to the photos.
KD
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 25, 2005 10:47:42 GMT -5
I guess that first attempt at 1 am was pretty stupid. I didn't want to use photobucket because why post photos on the net in 2 places?? Anyway, it looks like they are visible.
take care, gaeter
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HarryB41
has rocks in the head
Member since September 2004
Posts: 605
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Post by HarryB41 on Jan 25, 2005 10:57:10 GMT -5
Beautiful rocks!!
Very nice job and I am thinking of adding a vib to my list!
Harry
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jan 25, 2005 10:59:27 GMT -5
Not to bad- I agree with all your observations- My tumbling directions say to leave in course for a week- HA- I'm shooting for 2 to 3 weeks with my curent batch- Maybe longer-
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Post by Tweetiepy on Jan 25, 2005 11:05:09 GMT -5
Those are amazing!
I heard that amethysts crack, yours look pretty crackless - they're wonderful
I had amethyst chips (mini-tiny pieces) they cracked and split. I'm wanting to make earrings out of a 1/2" x 1/8" piece I think this cursor is longer than that amethyst "grain of salt"
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 25, 2005 11:15:06 GMT -5
Oh, one more observation: I could really see the value of a Dremel drill to file away some of the larger flakes, pits and impurities.
later, gaeter
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Rose
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2004
Posts: 875
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Post by Rose on Jan 25, 2005 11:16:11 GMT -5
Great batch, the amethyst are lovely  |
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 25, 2005 11:56:54 GMT -5
lookin good gaetz i realy like the clear quartz im gonna have to look around and see if i can find some bigger pieces that i can cut and shape i think they would look good----great job on them all
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69beeper
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 377
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Post by 69beeper on Jan 25, 2005 13:41:07 GMT -5
WTG.. Excellent first batch!! Great shine!
I'm impressed with the vibe. Does a better job on the rough than I thought.
Thanks for the pics!
Jimmy
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jan 25, 2005 18:12:12 GMT -5
Sands-
FYI- I bought all the rough at the The Rock Shed.
I don't know the difference between good and bad rough!!! But there were a lot of cracks in them. I've got a bunch of rough left over and will leave them in rough longer to see if that makes a difference.
Thanks for the kind words everyone,
Gaetz
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Post by Noosh9057 on Jan 25, 2005 18:14:31 GMT -5
GREAT Job!!!!!! |
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Post by connrock on Jan 25, 2005 21:59:50 GMT -5
Hey you made it Tim!! You did a pretty darn good job for your first batch. The amythist is always a tough nut to crack.The only way to avoid the cracks and fractures is to but gem grade and that's not for us!!It's in the quartz family and as you can see even the clear quartz has some problem areas. What you have to keep in mind is when you're inspecting your rough and you see a deep flaw in any clear type stone you have to deside then,what you're going to do with it. If you're going to try to rough the flaws away you'll have to rough all the material around them and in most cases you won't have much left to polish. I find that it's best to just break it where the flaw is and take your losses.You're going to pay either way.In breaking the material and having more waste then you really want or by using a lot of grit,electricity,etc. The one thing that you will still have left is your sanity!! LOL Your thoughts on the first load are right on the money.The one item that's a real toughy is to keep the load in the rough stage longer but it REALLY pays off in the end. The next most important part of the cycle is the prepolish stage.The finer the medium to gradually get to before the actual polish stage the better your rocks will shine.If the prepolish is done right the rocks should "almost" look like they don't need a polish stage. Keep up the good work and congrats on your first load!! Tom  |
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llanago
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,714
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Post by llanago on Jan 25, 2005 22:23:13 GMT -5
Definitely a good job on your first batch! I really like the clear quartz! Like it all, but the quartz the best!
llana
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jan 25, 2005 23:49:17 GMT -5
very nice job on your first batch gaetz!
kim
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Post by stoner on Jan 26, 2005 1:36:23 GMT -5
Hey Gaetz, looks pretty good for a first batch. This is one of those "learn as you go" hobbies and each batch seems to get better and better. Nothin' is set in stone-pun intended-in this hobby. What works for one person, may have to be altered for another.
Kep up the good work. Look forward to the next batch.
Ed
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Post by creativeminded on Jan 26, 2005 10:47:30 GMT -5
Nicely done
Tami
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Post by Cher on Jan 26, 2005 12:47:05 GMT -5
Great job and I'm really glad to know that your kids enjoyed it. That clear quartz is very cool, but I like it all. Isn't it a great feeling of accomplishment? Keep up the good work, it only gets better with each batch as you learn "more patience".
Cher
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