booboo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2014
Posts: 147
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Post by booboo on May 22, 2015 18:22:16 GMT -5
Hi All,
I just finished my latest batch of Oregon Sunstones that I tumbled. When I tumble 'em I normally start off with 120 grit on my rotary tumbler...then 220, 400 and so on...normally I keep them in the tumbler for around a week at a time per stage depending on their size...I use ceramic filler to cushion the stones...I like to use the smaller sized uns...here's my latest batch....
another look in higher resolution
thanks for looking
joe
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Post by orrum on May 22, 2015 19:03:55 GMT -5
That's a lot of Sunstone Joe!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,666
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Post by Fossilman on May 22, 2015 19:43:03 GMT -5
Those are nice-great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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megalotis
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2009
Posts: 226
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Post by megalotis on May 22, 2015 19:47:01 GMT -5
Beautiful job on some pretty stones!
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on May 24, 2015 9:20:26 GMT -5
Love those! What's the size? Lot of facet rough!?
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booboo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2014
Posts: 147
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Post by booboo on May 24, 2015 16:32:44 GMT -5
Love those! What's the size? Lot of facet rough!? thanks! these are mostly smaller uns...there's a few in the 7 carat range but mostly are smaller pieces
joe
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grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
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Post by grizman on May 24, 2015 17:21:14 GMT -5
OK, fess up Joe. Where did you get those? Did you rockhound them all out yourself?
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on May 24, 2015 17:49:34 GMT -5
Spectrum mine?
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booboo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2014
Posts: 147
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Post by booboo on May 25, 2015 1:17:46 GMT -5
OK, fess up Joe. Where did you get those? Did you rockhound them all out yourself? spectrum mine for the most part...you can find a whole bunch of tumbling rough just by walking around that area
joe
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booboo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2014
Posts: 147
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Post by booboo on May 25, 2015 1:18:13 GMT -5
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on May 25, 2015 8:36:35 GMT -5
I guess I am going to have to rent a vehicle to go to the mine. The poor thing is done. Catastrophic engine failure. Cost more to fix than it is worth.
If I could figure out how to upload to flickr I could show you my sunstone collection.
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on May 25, 2015 8:42:53 GMT -5
The BLM camp area is pretty well picked over. It never got cold enough last winter to bring anything of any size to the surface.
The freezing and thawing of seasonal permafrost is the action that drives the stones to the surface. I spoke to one of the geologists up there a few days ago. Warmest winter any of them have seen since Himalayan/Spectrum Mining Co bought the Tiffany claim back in the 70's.
They also have a tourmaline mine in mountains outside of San Diego.
The sunstone mine is called Spectrum and the Tourmaline is call Himalayan.
Chris ,Jackie and Terry are really good people.
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on May 25, 2015 8:45:38 GMT -5
Joe, have you done anything other than tumbling with your sunstones?
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booboo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2014
Posts: 147
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Post by booboo on May 25, 2015 11:21:07 GMT -5
Joe, have you done anything other than tumbling with your sunstones? yup! I have some of my roughs cut overseas...I posted sum pics in here someplace lol....I don't remember what section
joe
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mrzulu
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2015
Posts: 245
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Post by mrzulu on May 25, 2015 17:09:50 GMT -5
I want to go arrowhead hunting up on Hart Mountain
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Oct 24, 2020 14:00:24 GMT -5
Great photo of a fantastic batch! Not too many folks tumbling this great feldspar!
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Prov
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2020
Posts: 116
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Post by Prov on Oct 25, 2020 18:38:15 GMT -5
Gorgeous stones!
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Post by greig on Oct 26, 2020 7:47:59 GMT -5
Such a nice collection of sunstone. I have found some in Ontario, but not of that quality. Thanks for sharing
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