Malachite Tryout.

not trying to steal any thunder, MArk, nor hijack your thread, but here is a small 14mm x 10mm pendant i finished recently, tried a new type of "wrap tite" mount and botched it, so decided it was mine (i wear my prototypes and mistakes)....the bead i bought from Fire Mountain.



this material is very tricky (and extremely messy) to try and cab, but very rewarding when you get a finished piece out of it. the bands never turn out the way you think they will...

good luck on your tumbled batch!

KD

Oh no - its getting tricky
It has been in Cerium Oxide for about 3 days.

The last grit I used was 400 - and it was still re-shaping the rock - so I had to take it out el-rapido (15 hours).

Based on the fact that the rock was shaping with 400 - I figured the smallest scratches would be of 400 size.

Normally as the 400 breaks down - the finest scratching get smaller - so this didnt get that chance - the grit was all still present after about 15 hours.

Soooooo - anyway - I stick it in Cerium - totally dull - but feeling far far smoother than when it came out of the 80 - I figured it wouldnt need a 220 in the end as its so soft.

I keep looking each day - and find that the polish is going slightly greener all the time - very very slowly mind you!

So - here is a picture of it - after 3 days in cerium.

There is a very faint sheen on it now - like a "satin" look to it.

My question - will it become shinier the longer I leave it in Cerium - or is this it ***maxed out***?

Anyone know?

The thing is - Ive done some reading round on the net and it looks like Tin Oxide may do a better job of Malachite.



Infact - on reflection literally just sitting here looking at this bit - Im sure its become more shiny during the last round in the polish.

Its very much different polishing this than other stuff.

When wet - it looks great - like the necklass there from KD.

I think - three more days for a bigger diff - then weigh up the next plan.



Cheers all.

PS - its the pic which makes it look grainy - it looks totally smooth and deep to light greens in reality.

Try 1000 grit, then tin oxide.

that IS a gorgeous piece! the scraps that i have had in the tumbler didn't fare well to date, tho i still have some in CPP, to achieve the shine i did get on the grinder i had to use some diamond paste on a canvas wheel as even the fine polishing wheel on the Genie didn't really do the stone justice. good luck with yours, Mark!

KD

Hi Mark,
its comming on well , and the banding is showing well looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Yours,
Jack
Yorkshire UK

I have to agree with James.
Try an even finer grit ... 1000 or maybe even 1200

Well - just back to this one.

Im flippin flippin flippin dissapointed - I placed the Malachite in a cleaned out polish barrel, with Tin Oxide - the rocks striking each other have pitted themselves with around 1/10th mil pits.

I think I may need more pellets................. - do any of you guys think rolling one chunk at a time in tin oxide with nothing else but plastic pellets may work?

Its definatly destroying itself by bumping into other chunks whilst on the roll.



The polish was green after just 7 hours - indicating (well to me anyway) that its taking too much off the stone.

Flippin heckers.

Ron - yes that may be the way - i'll even use some pine as its way soft.

I hear you - I will give it a go tomorrow - its sat all sad looking in the kitchen now - and I think it s going to need another 600 to get rid of the pitting too.

This was a challenge.

Definately one thing established - DONT EXPECT a shine from Malachite if they are are allowed to come into contact with other bits of the same.

Will give it a go and see what the score is.

Cheers
mark