ohligerj
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2020
Posts: 2
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Post by ohligerj on Oct 30, 2020 21:52:22 GMT -5
My grandson just got a rock tumbler. I would like to send him some rough rocks. I have no idea what kind of rocks, or where to purchase them. Any ideas? Please be specific, I know nothing about this. Thanks.
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Post by pauls on Oct 30, 2020 22:44:33 GMT -5
Agate and Petrified wood and Jasper are good tough stones, For a bit of something special you could get a small amount of Tiger Eye. They need considerably more time in the first stage than the instructions say because they are hard but boy they shine up nicely. The tumbler instructions usually say a week in each stage, for the first stage get him to leave them in until they are rounded to his satisfaction. For now avoid softer stones like Fluorite, and also avoid chippy stones like Obsidian, crystal Quartz, eg Amethyst, citrine, smokey. If he's a little fella get his Dad or Mum to come back here with any questions, we like to help.
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Post by Mel on Oct 31, 2020 0:14:03 GMT -5
My grandson just got a rock tumbler. I would like to send him some rough rocks. I have no idea what kind of rocks, or where to purchase them. Any ideas? Please be specific, I know nothing about this. Thanks. If you have a rock shop in your area, they should be able to set you up with a nice selection, or Thumlers sells a box of starter rocks if you have a hobby shop around. The Rock Shed is a great resource if you don't mind buying online. As Paul said, send us all your questions
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ohligerj
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2020
Posts: 2
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Post by ohligerj on Oct 31, 2020 9:48:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice, guys. I got on the Rock Shed site and here's what I picked out: 1 lb of Tiger eye 3/4 to2" 1 lb of Red Tiger eye - 3/4 to 2" 2 lb of Mix that consists of Rose Quartz, Green Adventure, Several different Agates and Jaspers, Pudding stone, Solitite, and Petrified Wood. 3/4 to 1 1/2" How's that sound for amounts and size of stone. I'm pretty sure his Dad probably just got him a small tumbler to get him started out. He just started kindergarten and loves to collect rocks. I'll tell his Dad to get on this site and get with you guys to help out and make his rock tumbling a success.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 31, 2020 19:46:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice, guys. I got on the Rock Shed site and here's what I picked out: 1 lb of Tiger eye 3/4 to2" 1 lb of Red Tiger eye - 3/4 to 2" 2 lb of Mix that consists of Rose Quartz, Green Adventure, Several different Agates and Jaspers, Pudding stone, Solitite, and Petrified Wood. 3/4 to 1 1/2" How's that sound for amounts and size of stone. I'm pretty sure his Dad probably just got him a small tumbler to get him started out. He just started kindergarten and loves to collect rocks. I'll tell his Dad to get on this site and get with you guys to help out and make his rock tumbling a success. I think those are all great choices. The mohs hardness on all of them are right around the same, so there shouldn't be an issue with tumbling them all together. Good for his dad, and good job grandpa! Great choice on ordering from the Rock Shed. Fantastic material and fantastic people to deal with! SIDENOTE: I was in the Rock Shed over in Keystone the other day picking up some grit and crazy lace rough and I was talking with Daniel. He said they're transitioning their website from therockshed.com over to rockshed.com - just an FYI to anyone reading this. I think the new website loads slower than the old one, but maybe it's just me.
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stewdogg
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2020
Posts: 388
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Post by stewdogg on Nov 1, 2020 11:14:55 GMT -5
Just be aware that the Tiger eye has asbestos in the rock and you will need to dispose of the slurry from the grind properly. It will only be a problem when the slurry is dried and becomes dust and possibly airborne. I suppose if you were to cut it it would be an issue as well. Thanks to manofglass for my Tiger Eye knowledge! Oh yeah, the number one rule, don't wash your rocks in the house sinks. Welcome to the forum and good luck to the grandkid! Tell dad we like rock pics as well.
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Post by pauls on Nov 1, 2020 15:16:00 GMT -5
Tiger Eye should not contain any Asbestos, It's a pseudomorph of Asbestos where the Amphibole fibres have been replaced by Silica and Limonite.
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Post by stephan on Nov 1, 2020 19:16:44 GMT -5
Tiger Eye should not contain any Asbestos, It's a pseudomorph of Asbestos where the Amphibole fibres have been replaced by Silica and Limonite. Correct. Gold and red Tiger Eye are silica. Blue (Hawk’s Eye) is another story, and still contains asbestos. Also, even if you are working with blue material, the wet sludge should not cause problems. Keeping it wet prevents it from becoming airborne.
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gatorflash1
spending too much on rocks
Active in Delaware Mineralogical Society, Cabchon Grinding and Polishing, 2 Thumlers B's and a UV-18
Member since October 2018
Posts: 375
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Post by gatorflash1 on Nov 3, 2020 20:30:25 GMT -5
My grandson just got a rock tumbler. I would like to send him some rough rocks. I have no idea what kind of rocks, or where to purchase them. Any ideas? Please be specific, I know nothing about this. Thanks. rocktumbler.com/tips/rocks-for-tumbling/I'm an agate fan but also tumble other stones of similar hardness about 7 mohs. Check out the above link for info and a place to buy packets of good rocks for tumbling. All the best!
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dshanpnw
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2020
Posts: 1,072
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Post by dshanpnw on Dec 30, 2020 15:13:03 GMT -5
Good luck on tumbling! Great choice of rocks.
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