rocknrob
fully equipped rock polisher
Unfortunately, grocery stores do not accept rocks as payment
Member since May 2024
Posts: 1,592
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Post by rocknrob on Aug 15, 2025 14:24:19 GMT -5
I finally won some rhodochrosite off eBay. Now it just occurs to me I have no idea how to process it for cabs. It's super pretty stuff though, nice banding. Is there anything for me to watch out for? Does it need stabilizing? - Rob  |
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2022
Posts: 3,763
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Post by rockbrain on Aug 15, 2025 14:45:05 GMT -5
I've only done a small bit of rhodochrosite but I've never had to stabilize it. They do break when you drop them! I've had some small nuggets like that. I just slabbed them up the trim saw. You'll want to turn those pieces so you capture the bands on the face of the slab. Those should be pretty.
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Post by stardiamond R.G. on Aug 15, 2025 14:48:20 GMT -5
The material is soft. Start with a higher grit and use a lighter touch.
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rocknrob
fully equipped rock polisher
Unfortunately, grocery stores do not accept rocks as payment
Member since May 2024
Posts: 1,592
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Post by rocknrob on Aug 15, 2025 15:01:11 GMT -5
Thanks! It looks like it could be kind of chippy. I'll start it on the 220 sintered wheel and be gentle with it on the trim saw.
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Post by stardiamond R.G. on Aug 15, 2025 15:10:18 GMT -5
Not chippy, soft. Material grinds off faster than expected. Start at 280 soft and based on what you see, go back to the 220 sintered. I don't have any sintered wheels so I can't evaluate how they cut.
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gunsil
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2023
Posts: 518
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Post by gunsil on Aug 15, 2025 17:28:09 GMT -5
Put your machine on the slowest speed, don't use the coarsest wheel, and as others have said use a light touch. Probably be easier to just buy slabs than small chunks. Cuts and polishes well. I have a lot of it, love the color, and I sliced a lot of it thick since the color shows well in higher dome cabs.
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rocknrob
fully equipped rock polisher
Unfortunately, grocery stores do not accept rocks as payment
Member since May 2024
Posts: 1,592
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Post by rocknrob on Aug 15, 2025 17:49:31 GMT -5
Not chippy, soft. Material grinds off faster than expected. Start at 280 soft and based on what you see, go back to the 220 sintered. I don't have any sintered wheels so I can't evaluate how they cut. It's not as aggressive as a regular 220 (or at least the 220 I have on my flat lap). I would wager it being closer to 180 grit. |
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 5,430
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Post by realrockhound on Aug 15, 2025 18:05:31 GMT -5
Just send it. You’ll learn quick. Or not…… 😂
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rocknrob
fully equipped rock polisher
Unfortunately, grocery stores do not accept rocks as payment
Member since May 2024
Posts: 1,592
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Post by rocknrob on Aug 15, 2025 19:16:52 GMT -5
realrockhound I might get a complaint or two if I send folks a fine pile of pink dust, for some reason people don't like a DIY self assembled cabochon. 
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septicdeath
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2024
Posts: 169
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Post by septicdeath on Aug 15, 2025 20:10:04 GMT -5
Use a clean buff and ZAM or 14,000 diamond on leather. Use a light touch when grinding and sanding.
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,662
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Post by QuailRiver on Aug 15, 2025 20:10:10 GMT -5
I think Jimmy Carter was president the last time I cabbed any Rhodochrosite. In addition to being very soft it can also be heat sensitive. I remember leaving some Rhodochrosite preforms on the heat too long when getting ready to dop and faded the color badly.
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septicdeath
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2024
Posts: 169
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Post by septicdeath on Aug 15, 2025 20:20:48 GMT -5
Here are some cabs from the last batch I cut. I still have a chunk left. I'll get to someday.   |
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lapidary1234
has rocks in the head
"If you like rocks you can't be all bad!!" ~ old timer quote
Member since October 2021
Posts: 665
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Post by lapidary1234 on Aug 15, 2025 23:11:38 GMT -5
It is sift but it takes a glorious shine! I start at 220 or even 280...
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 15, 2025 23:17:36 GMT -5
Now you're speaking my language! I love rhodo more than anyone, to be sure. It's my favorite stone to cab. It cabs VERY easily. Not chippy and not tooo soft. Yes, it is soft which makes it so surprising the glassy polish you can get.
I have started on the 80 grit to do the outline and then followed the usual route followed by 8, 14, 50 and sometimes 100 grit diamond. It never disappoints and is rarely difficult. I think once you start your first cab, you'll get a feel for it real quick. It's not difficult, at all.
You should get some nice bacon cabs from that rough.  |
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Post by whalecottagedesigns on Aug 15, 2025 23:53:01 GMT -5
rocknrob Really lovely dark colour on those pieces! rockjunquie Lovely cabs and wonderful pendant! Also really like the very delicate pink there!
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gunsil
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2023
Posts: 518
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Post by gunsil on Aug 16, 2025 10:43:30 GMT -5
I think Jimmy Carter was president the last time I cabbed any Rhodochrosite. In addition to being very soft it can also be heat sensitive. I remember leaving some Rhodochrosite preforms on the heat too long when getting ready to dop and faded the color badly. I don't often dop so I didn't know heat will make it fade. It will fade in too much direct sunlight so I tell customers of my jewelry to not leave it in a sunny spot. I have made jewelry forty years ago with rhodochrosite that has not faded when properly cared for. |
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rocknrob
fully equipped rock polisher
Unfortunately, grocery stores do not accept rocks as payment
Member since May 2024
Posts: 1,592
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Post by rocknrob on Aug 16, 2025 14:56:17 GMT -5
OMG These almost look tasty enough to eat! Cuts about as quickly as lapis. Too bad they don't have druzy. 😁 I'll post this and some other pics in the "what's in your saw" forum once I get my Internet back. I was just so excited about this stuff that I had to post it here. What nice bacon 🥓! - Rob  |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 16, 2025 15:37:26 GMT -5
WOW!!!!!!
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Post by whalecottagedesigns on Aug 16, 2025 19:50:58 GMT -5
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