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Post by Toad on Nov 22, 2020 17:40:39 GMT -5
Thinking of heading to NC to hit one of the ruby/sapphire/corundum mines this coming summer. Goal is to get tumbling rough - I have no illusions of discovering a facet-able stone. I was leaning towards Mason Mine or Mason Mountain Mine because you can mine all day for a flat fee - as much dirt as you can move. The others seem to charge by the bucket and don't seem to have much in the way of native material. Not as big a fan of this model: CherokeeSheffieldRose CreekEmerald HollowSo I'd like to come away with several pounds of corundum, but after reading the sites and reviews I'm wondering if it might just be better to buy it online for for 8 or 10 or 20 dollars a pound - and save on travel costs (gas, motel, time...) I don't mind digging and fluming all day but not if I'm going to walk away with just 3 or 4 pea-sized gems. Thoughts/alternatives?
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Post by rmf on Nov 23, 2020 7:17:54 GMT -5
Just my two cents and opinions are like arm pits most people have more than one and they usually stink. So here goes. If I wanted tumbling rough I would not go to a "Gem Mine". It is true you can get tumbling rough there but it is not the most efficient use of your time/$$. If you want to go because it is fun great. As you know most of the mines are salted/benefited that means that most of the rocks are from somewhere else. The rocks used to add color, variety are crushed and thrown in and they do not care if they add in blue/orange calcite, fluorite, or just plane trash that won't polish. there point is to look good not give you a product that can polish. Most of the places do not even give you the same rock back if you leave a stone to cut they simply throw it back into the rough bucket and sell you a precut stone. If you want tumbling rough buy it from a vendor or find you rough and crack it up yourself. you will get a more consistent product.
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Decisions
Nov 23, 2020 10:24:06 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Toad on Nov 23, 2020 10:24:06 GMT -5
Thanks. That’s the way I’m leaning.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 30, 2020 9:16:43 GMT -5
Just my humble opinion but some years ago I spent a bunch of money and bought a lot of that gem mine gravel mail order. As the above gentleman said, it is a exotic mix of foreign multi hardness material. Soft stuff won't polish well and pretty much disappears as it's small hunks and the actual corundum gems are opaque and take forever to shape and polish because they are super hard and wear out your grits and polishes. I found the whole effort a big ole waste of time and money that would be much better spent on some high quality agate or jasper poundage for making an incredible tumble with ease. Back then I could have bought high quality ocean jasper and such for the price I paid for essentially junk...Mel
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Post by Toad on Nov 30, 2020 10:02:29 GMT -5
Thanks Mel. The more I look into it, the more of a waste it seems. Probably spend some money on grit and polish this winter - I have plenty of rock anyway.
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