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Post by Toad on Jun 5, 2014 14:00:47 GMT -5
All these stones were being tumbled at the same time in my 12 pound barrels. The first is a piece of pyrite I received from Ted (Tandl). He sent me three, but this is the only one that survived the process: Next are a few small pieces of cheap lapis: Then some misc. stuff: Mookaite, dalmation jasper (real hard to get solid pieces), misc jasper, Bruneau jasper, an agate or two: Then some larger chunks of jasper. My wife has claimed the one at 3 o'clock on the quarter as a worry stone: Same stones have been flipped: This was the largest jasper (at 12 o'clock on previous pics). It weighs over 1/2 a pound by itself: The next are Lizard Stone. Went through almost 20# of material to find these few solid pieces: And closer up: And last but not least, Wonderstone. A great variety of colors and patterns all in the same box: And the same pieces flipped. Some look like completely different rocks - especially the two large ones on the bottom left: Here is a piece of rough with some finished pieces that most closely matched in color. I got a nice shine on these, but the pic doesn't show the same contrast I can see with the eye - probably due to my pic taking skills - the sun was very bright...
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azgnoinc
spending too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 484
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Post by azgnoinc on Jun 5, 2014 22:20:53 GMT -5
The Wonderstone certainly gives me great hope for when I run my first batch, and that Lizard Stone is awesome!!
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Post by snowmom on Jun 6, 2014 4:16:44 GMT -5
I like how you broke it down so we could see them all. Love the pyrite (sparkle sparkle) and I would have chosen the same worry stone. the greens are awesome! don't forget to show us what you do with these!
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Post by pghram on Jun 6, 2014 10:59:44 GMT -5
Nice batch, I especially like the lizard stone.
Rich
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
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Post by tkvancil on Jun 6, 2014 11:04:50 GMT -5
The lizard and wonder stone rule! Great batch overall. Nicely done.
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Post by nowyo on Jun 6, 2014 12:44:26 GMT -5
Nice job. They all turned out great but I really like the wonderstone.
Russ
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Post by Drummond Island Rocks on Jun 6, 2014 21:54:49 GMT -5
the jaspers are great and I really like that last picture of the wonderstone too.
Chuck
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,158
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Post by jamesp on Jun 7, 2014 0:12:15 GMT -5
Bright sun kills the shine in photos. Those are well shaped and finished. Super nice. The wonderstone is a show stopper. nice batch. It is tricky to get good solid material. And tumbling will test a stones durability. I coarse grind a week or two, wash them off and let them dry, and then get depressed by how many damn fractures i missed. Rebreak them at the fractures for reprocess or chunk them.
Great load Toad
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mateoj
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2014
Posts: 23
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Post by mateoj on Jun 7, 2014 11:46:57 GMT -5
That lizard stone is too cool. I've got a whole bunch of wonderstone just sitting on my porch right now, but I can never seem to get it near as nice as what you've done. Nice work!
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Post by Toad on Jun 7, 2014 14:56:01 GMT -5
Thanks for all the comments all.
James I was wondering about the sun - thanks for the confirmation.
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Jun 7, 2014 19:31:24 GMT -5
Very nice batch . The big ones take for ever to get that shape.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,158
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Post by jamesp on Jun 7, 2014 20:22:45 GMT -5
Thanks for all the comments all. James I was wondering about the sun - thanks for the confirmation. I like those thinner chips you made. I bring the coral home and saw 2-8 pound chunks across the long dimension. Best is 2-3 inch thick 'slabs'. Then i hit the sawn surface along the edge, sheering of big thin chips one after the other. Striking the sawn surface gives you great control. Material varies slightly, so you got to find the best strike angle. And striking a flat sawn surface reduces fractures a bunch. If the chunks are over 3 inches thick it is much more difficult to make chips. I never hit a round or oval chunk w/out sawing it in half at least. If i find a 20-30 pounder I break it on site with a sledge hammer and salvage the best for chipping.
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Post by Toad on Jun 7, 2014 21:51:59 GMT -5
Great idea James. I he to get my saw running next year. That will give me a few more options.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,158
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Post by jamesp on Jun 9, 2014 9:10:36 GMT -5
Great idea James. I he to get my saw running next year. That will give me a few more options. Making those chips is my favorite part of tumbling. Sexy shaped chips are the target. Most materials that chip with a smooth finish like glass will yield great chips. But grainy materials can chip well too. That wonderstone can be struck on the biggest flat face and yield nice flat chips. This is a piece of coral that was sledged off in the field. Using the flat side of a tiny 8 once ball peen hammer I would nip away on the right side of the stone that is already feathered. Brass hammers work great because the do not propagate so many fractures as a hardened steel hammer. Flint lock makers use soft metal hammers to chip flints for their flint lock. As do flint snappers that make arrowheads.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,685
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Post by Fossilman on Jun 14, 2014 17:15:11 GMT -5
Awesome stuff...Thumbs up
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Post by iant on Jun 15, 2014 11:58:05 GMT -5
No wonder they call it Wonderstone! Outstanding. Thanks for the comparison with the rough too - nice touch.
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