SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Nov 28, 2003 20:02:05 GMT -5
Let's make a list of good material for the beginner to start with. Good cheap stuff that doesn't take forever, that will take a decent polish and will show progress after a few days. No agates, emeralds, rubies, not obsidian (wicked to polish) or stuff that's too too soft, etc. I can't think of many right now, so chime in folks.
Feldspars - many colors, varieties; deep green and red microcline, AKA "amazonite", color play labradorite, moonstone, sunstone, "peristerite"
Sodalite
brain refuses to access memory banks, what else???
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Nov 29, 2003 6:10:35 GMT -5
Jasper...
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Post by Noosh on Nov 29, 2003 12:13:20 GMT -5
I am new to the hobby and want to find out all I can.
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Post by Noosh9057 on Nov 30, 2003 19:14:55 GMT -5
Well is Jasper the best one to try first?
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Nov 30, 2003 20:41:24 GMT -5
Compared to agate, jasper shapes up more easily. Jasper typically does'nt have as many pits and cracks as agates does. However, it still takes about 3 weeks in the 80 grit for desireable shapes. Jasper is slightly softer then agate in most cases. Agate is far more beautiful in my opinion and is worth the wait. Usually about 4 to 5 weeks in 80 grit plus 1 week of each grit thereafter. Total 2 months on average from start to finish.
Obsidian, my personal favorite, is a little harder to get right but is well worth the effort. Run it in 80 grit for about 2 weeks. 220 grit for 1 week. 500 for 1 week. 1000 Grit for 1 week. and tin oxide for 1 to 2 weeks with plenty of plastic pellets for cushioning. You must use tin oxide for obsidian!
Moonstone is very easy to tumble. Polishes well in cerium oxide in just a few days.
Use smaller rocks for faster results in all cases.
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Nov 30, 2003 20:55:32 GMT -5
Score some nice green feldspar, AKA "amazonite" for your first load, or sodalite is cool. They shape up relatively quick and look really good. Jasper takes a long while, and obsidian can be very tricky to polish, avoid it till you learn the ropes.
Hopefully more folks will chime in with their suggestions as to the perfect mineral for beginners to tumble. I've given you two, so whip down to your local rockshop first thing Monday morning and get rolling!
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James
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 876
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Post by James on Dec 1, 2003 1:04:01 GMT -5
If you have the patience, try out some Tiger Eye Agate. It is the "perfect" tumbling rock. It has a "fibrous" structure which makes it extremely durable and forgiving to error. If I could choose one type of rock to start off with if would be Tiger Eye. The rough (80) grit just takes a little longer then feldspars. Several weeks for optimun results. But at the end of the day, it is well worth the effort. If you need a good place to buy, go here: www.therockshed.comThey are second to none as far as every other place I've bought from. Say hi to Shawn for me while you're at it.
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WilliamC
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2003
Posts: 416
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Post by WilliamC on Dec 2, 2003 20:02:50 GMT -5
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Post by Noosh9057 on Dec 2, 2003 20:29:31 GMT -5
Hay thanks for letting us know. I am going to look at it but I dont have the money right now.
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