Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jul 22, 2015 23:45:57 GMT -5
No bueno with the jade tumble. This stuff is rather fussy. Most of them come out rather "matte" or dull. Only about 20% i've had luck with. I do, however like the black piece. (on color alone)
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Jul 23, 2015 5:53:46 GMT -5
Darn tumblers do best with silicified material in the polish mode. Nice jades Henry.
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Jul 23, 2015 7:04:04 GMT -5
I have not tried jade before, looks like a few cracks . Not enough fill? You almost got a shine on them.
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Post by nowyo on Jul 25, 2015 21:57:06 GMT -5
The little I've fooled with it can be a little fussy. I'd throw them back in there again. But, that's my standard answer. That or throw them in the driveway.
Russ
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Jul 26, 2015 6:59:38 GMT -5
If it is Moh 7(agate/jasper/petrification) they always come out nice and shiny. Almost can not mess them up. Mohs 6 another story. Mohs 6 rounds so quick, but getting a shine is a challenge. My tumbling methods/machines have little luck with the softer stuff.
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Post by adam on Jul 26, 2015 7:07:54 GMT -5
They seem okay, good luck with the jade.
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Post by orrum on Jul 26, 2015 7:39:38 GMT -5
I have trouble with jade even on grinding polishing wheels! It undercuts along the edges.
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Post by washingtonrocks on Jul 26, 2015 16:46:52 GMT -5
I've tried tumbling jade twice and could only achieve a satin finish both times. Yours looks pretty good actually. Really nice pieces.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 26, 2015 20:06:19 GMT -5
Thumbs up..............
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Henry
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2013
Posts: 452
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Post by Henry on Jul 26, 2015 22:23:32 GMT -5
James, absolutely! I've never gone wrong with Mohs 7, but Mohs 6...different story. But yet this small, light green and black nugget came out with a mirror shine. Crazy stuff, this jade.
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Post by gingerkid on Jul 31, 2015 0:53:55 GMT -5
Woah at the mirror polish on your last Big Sur jade tumble. Can see the reflection of a picture frame hanging on the wall, Henry. The others are pretty, too.
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Shelbeeray
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2006
Posts: 688
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Post by Shelbeeray on Aug 17, 2015 20:02:10 GMT -5
Determining what rocks to tumble by MOH alone can be a bit deceptive. We also need to keep in mind the structure of the mineral composition. Microsilicates like agates are easy to polish. Nephrite jade is more fibrous and I have found responds best to hand polishing or polishing on a wheel or lap. Also, nephrite quality changes. Sometimes, if it is mined, they use explosives and this creates microfractures. Even jad that has been banged around can get microfractures. This shows up clearly in polishing. It really is a more fragile stone than its MOH would indicate. Some nephrite is harder than others as well, even from the same batch. I found that a lot of commercial operations don't tumble either, they use an acid boil for polishing and quite often they coat with a polymer.
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Post by snowmom on Aug 18, 2015 5:47:45 GMT -5
so beautiful Henry!
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