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Post by Mel on Nov 28, 2020 22:48:30 GMT -5
I have a chunk of basalt with quartz (seen here after some rough grinding) that I want to polish up as nice as I can. I know the results might not be amazing, but I want to give it a shot. Now, being a softer (and porous) stone, I'm not sure what to use on it (my polish experience is mostly coming from tumbling). What should I try, aluminum oxide, cerium, tin oxide?  |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,047 
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Post by gemfeller on Nov 29, 2020 1:31:34 GMT -5
Mel I've used a lot of basanite(fine-grained basalt) in making opal triplets. I've used Genie Novas with a final kiss on cerium oxide on felt to make it shine. Since your material isn't as dense as basanite you might not get a top polish but that's the combo that's worked for me on basalt.
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kyoti
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2020
Posts: 542
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Post by kyoti on Nov 29, 2020 13:11:15 GMT -5
Thats a tricky one Mel. I've had good luck polishing my purple spotted Basalt normally in the vibe with AO polish. The basalt that was in my Lake Superior agates though was pitted and The Aluminum stuck in the pits.
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Post by Mel on Dec 5, 2020 21:54:08 GMT -5
I was tempted to try this one in the vibe, but I also got my genie working again... I think I will try cerium on a pad first, and if not, vibe it is!
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Dec 5, 2020 23:28:19 GMT -5
Considering most Basalt's, depending on it's other volcanic properties and or subsurface and or aquatic origination, is generally measured as a 6 Mohs.......not considered a "soft" stone.........the Quartz blend shown will polish up using Cerium, the Basalt will most likely just buff out to a sheen, that's if it even responds to a very patient and experienced hand.............Tumbled in rotary, expect cleavage and undercutting results. In the vibe, the Quartz will respond to the normal stages of application, not so much the Basalt..........We have literally thousands and thousands of tons of that stuff all over the hills in my region......I've spent a considerable amount of time trying to refine a method to get pieces like yours to polish..........It's a tough one conquer.
Here's a pic of a piece and a few others I had laying around......to remind me not to be tempted to collect anymore for processing.....lol
Not to discourage......but you may have better luck on the Genie wheels.....I don't cab or wheel polish.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Dec 6, 2020 15:35:20 GMT -5
I've gotten a nice smooth sheen, but not a real high polish, on the basalt part of mixed material pieces like yours by running them in a rotary tumbler. I do scrub them really well before they get dry from the tumbler.
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Post by Mel on Dec 6, 2020 22:27:38 GMT -5
I've gotten a nice smooth sheen, but not a real high polish, on the basalt part of mixed material pieces like yours by running them in a rotary tumbler. I do scrub them really well before they get dry from the tumbler. So far in the rotary tumbler I’ve been able to get them good & smooth....just trying polish on a bunch of smaller pieces (without the quartz vein) now. Done Wednesday and will see what I have. Will post pictures of the results. |
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