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Post by tims on Nov 30, 2017 16:59:20 GMT -5
Not sure about business costs, but I can say from experience that lapidary can be expensive just as a hobby. A tumbler and abrasives aren't terrible, but if you look at good saws, laps, wheels etc. you'll see that equipment, supplies and upkeep aren't cheap. There's also the skill side of working rocks; granted some people come out of the gate getting fine results, but many of us struggle before even getting the basics to a tolerable level. It's also easy to look at say a wrapped cabochon and think hey, that's pretty basic, while in reality it involves identifying good material, cutting it, shaping it, polishing it, and finally setting it. Several pieces of equipment and many hours of work can be required to make a finished piece, and paying yourself back for what you put into each piece can be difficult to justify to your customers.
Anyway, enough rain on your parade, just wanted to illuminate some of the potential drawbacks to what may seem an easy business. Would definitely suggest going the hobbyist route to start, mostly just to see if you enjoy it. Money isn't everything and there's much to be said for doing what you love regardless of how it converts to $.
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Post by tims on Nov 27, 2017 23:57:12 GMT -5
Looks good. Thought i heard a metallic ringing a couple times in the video, like a loose washer or something rattling, but it may have just been the polished rocks ringing. Most noticeable at about :27-28 ... just the rocks clinking?
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Post by tims on Nov 27, 2017 18:53:59 GMT -5
One nice thing about practicing on odd tumbles is you find ways to make things work. I wrapped an elk tooth for a buddy yesterday and it was cake compared to some of the weird rocks i've fought with.
Thanks for sharing, and when you discover the secret to quick and easy bails let me know ...
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Post by tims on Nov 27, 2017 17:39:46 GMT -5
gonna try soaking the bottom of that agate in acetone and see if it bleeds ...
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Post by tims on Nov 27, 2017 16:50:26 GMT -5
Great to keep the tradition alive tims . That agate with the light blue is cool, never seen anything like it. Think it could be dyed? That last one is intriguing, I’d be checking the hardness & SG on that one. I posted that agate on Agates Galore on FB and got swamped with people saying it's dyed, so yeah that's a possibility. I don't know how to test it; it's way too small to cut or re-roll without likely ruining it. I'll look into how to do a SG test on the glittery piece.
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Post by tims on Nov 26, 2017 22:05:08 GMT -5
Very nice batch. Love that bubblegum with the "eyes", although I see something way different If "jiggle" could be used as a descriptor for what you're seeing we might be on the same page.
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Post by tims on Nov 26, 2017 22:02:56 GMT -5
Really nice tumbles (and photos). Can't wait to get back that way and see what turns up. #7 looks like jasper with veins of some iron oxide, hematite or magnetite or something. Really pretty. My test for magnetite is a nail hanging on a string, see if the stone can sway it at all.
Regarding moss agate, it usually refers to a clear to translucent chalcedony with dendritic inclusions. Not sure how you'd classify #11 but it looks delicious.
You find a lot more banded material than i've found, or at least much nicer / finer banding. Keep em coming.
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Post by tims on Nov 25, 2017 22:34:05 GMT -5
Thanks fernwood i'll look into rhondonite. I need to do some hardness tests at least --- for some reason I assume the magicians here will just know everything at a glance. And sometimes they do.
I couldn't see the details on that little blue and white agate until i put readers on, but then it was instant infatuation. I wish i had some provenance on it. I've been sniffing it alot so i can identify its scent in the wild.
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Quartz?
Nov 25, 2017 15:23:23 GMT -5
Post by tims on Nov 25, 2017 15:23:23 GMT -5
Doesn't scratch with iron nail, will try muriatic ... TIA
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Post by tims on Nov 25, 2017 13:45:35 GMT -5
I'm of the mind that if a batch comes out with a handful of near flawless stones it was a resounding success, but many here set the bar much higher. If you're chasing perfection there are some great mentors here.
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Quartz?
Nov 25, 2017 13:39:09 GMT -5
Post by tims on Nov 25, 2017 13:39:09 GMT -5
This is a shed drawer find. Can't tell if it was cut ... it doesn't look polished but the flat edges don't show saw marks. Can make out traces of the crystal structure on one flat. Fluoresces bright blue with my cheap UV flashlight:
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Post by tims on Nov 25, 2017 13:32:26 GMT -5
I'm cheating today, ran across a little jar and tiny plastic box of my gramps' tumbles and wanted to share. I don't think he'd mind.
First is mostly Sweetwater agates. He rolled a little Sears Companion dual 3 pounder, and I remember falling asleep to its music when i'd visit.
There were some real neat pieces in the little box. If anyone can help identify please chime in:
Turitella:
Maybe a baby Teepee?
?1
This little blue agate blew me away. The pattern is Fairburn-y:
?2
?3
Think this is a Tiger Eye and Pet Splinter:
?4
?5
?6 and a garnet
?7 is really brilliant. The photos don't capture it but it has kind of a colored aura in good light:
Thanks for looking.
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Post by tims on Nov 25, 2017 13:05:10 GMT -5
Really fine batch, looks like they enjoyed a nice cushioned roll.
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Post by tims on Nov 21, 2017 18:57:36 GMT -5
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Post by tims on Nov 21, 2017 18:50:33 GMT -5
Usually the same for me, just to the north of you in the Buffalo Gap grasslands of South Dakota. Nice prairies...those usually polish up so nicely. Just starting doing it this year, but a rough estimate for my son and I...we get about one Fairburn for about every 15 hours of looking. Have a couple of really nice ones, and you certainly appreciate them when you have to work like hell to find them! Thankfully there are plenty of prairies, bubblegums, and other goodies to keep things interesting even without the Fairburns!! Hiya Birder. I'm actually in NE Wyoming, but i've been to the Fairburn (twice) and Indian Creek beds plus Oglala now and am 0/4. Pretty sure i need to get further off the beaten path --- all those spots have great material but they're all well-known and well-picked. If i lived right in the Buffalo Gap area i'd never get any work done. It's a dream of mine If you ever see a crappy green explorer rolling around out there and a scruffy guy in a Red Wings hat pull me over and show me the good spots.
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Post by tims on Nov 21, 2017 12:54:14 GMT -5
Fine stones, would take a 100 pounds of that red agate. Did you polish in Vibrasonic or rotary or other ? QT12. I'm still afraid of that Viking walking off if I let it run outside and I still don't have a shed / workshop. If / When I do get it shaking i'm tempted to re-run a few buckets of finished rotary stuff.
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Post by tims on Nov 20, 2017 22:10:28 GMT -5
Big agate beds there, i never find fairburns but there's plenty of pretty stone.
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Post by tims on Nov 20, 2017 21:37:38 GMT -5
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Post by tims on Nov 18, 2017 21:47:47 GMT -5
late to the party but great rolls. love the nice natural shapes, all shiny in the dips and curves.
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Post by tims on Nov 18, 2017 21:42:28 GMT -5
gorgeousness and gorgeosity. #10 made me smile, i would hug it and pet it and call it george.
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