rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Jan 17, 2009 15:41:13 GMT -5
Here's a few pics of some soft stones I tumbled awhile back. I wouldn't call any of them good tumbling stones, although they are kind of interesting. The first is a rhyolite that you often see sold by more elaborate names like "south of the border poppy jasper", "Mexican poppy jasper", and so on. It tumbles smooth, but only takes a dull shine... better than a matte finish, but not super shiny. The next is another rhyolite, again usually sold under the fancier and more marketable name, Starburst Jasper, even though it isn't jasper at all. The matrix takes an okay shine, but the "stars" remain dull. And the last is chrysocolla. I found this to be rather pitted and very soft. It erodes quickly in the tumbler and you have to wear a lot off in order to get rid of the pits. Takes an okay shine in the end though, and is a very pretty stone. Oh, and the piece on the far left (9 o'clock) is one rogue piece of sodalite that I tossed in for good measure and to show colour contrast. Thanks for looking! Don    |
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ejs
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 478
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Post by ejs on Jan 17, 2009 16:08:46 GMT -5
Great job with some tough material, Don.
What would you say were the most important lessons you learned from tumbling such soft materials?
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Jan 17, 2009 16:16:06 GMT -5
ejs, I guess to tumble these as best as I could I had to make some changes to my usual routine -- keep the slurry thicker, use lots of pellets to prevent them getting beat up, etc, but honestly I would have to say the biggest lesson I learned is that I am much happier tumbling harder materials like agates where the final results are always far superior.
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Post by NatureNut on Jan 17, 2009 16:21:52 GMT -5
Don, did you use AO or CO for polish? Jo
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Jan 17, 2009 20:59:51 GMT -5
These were done with AO. Well, technically with CPP polish, but that is just AO under a brand name.
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Jan 17, 2009 23:05:26 GMT -5
That's some intereting material. Thanks for sharing.
Nate
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Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 17, 2009 23:27:43 GMT -5
Those look great, especially the chrysocolla. Beautiful colors!
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jan 18, 2009 3:24:26 GMT -5
Great Job
Great finish
Thanks for sharing them Don you inspired me to have another go at mine I just cant get them past the dull shine,
Jack
Yorkshire UK
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Post by frane on Jan 18, 2009 8:38:02 GMT -5
Wow! I didn't know the starburst would tumble up like that without going away. You really did a great job wit hall of these but my favorites have to be the Chrysocola! Just beautiful!
Fran
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Jan 18, 2009 9:46:56 GMT -5
It's fun watching the experienced tumblers put a shine on difficult stones! And also what you did different anticipating that difficulty!!! They look great to me!!
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kev6200
starting to shine!
Stupidity should be painful!!!!
Member since January 2009
Posts: 30
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Post by kev6200 on Jan 20, 2009 19:27:19 GMT -5
Those are great. Nicely done.
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Jan 21, 2009 12:10:29 GMT -5
I've never seen those first two before. Nice job.
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rollingstone
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2009
Posts: 236
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Post by rollingstone on Jan 21, 2009 18:31:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the compliments!
-Don
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 24, 2009 14:55:17 GMT -5
the shine on that chrysocolla is amazing!
KD
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 25, 2009 10:01:48 GMT -5
I think Don could put a shine on dung! :-)
Very nice batches!
Chuck
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Post by sparkles on Jan 25, 2009 10:46:42 GMT -5
Holey Moley Don!
The Tumble Master strikes again! What a magnificent job on some very tricky material. Your attention to detail and process paid off handsomely, and the results are fantastic. I have some Chryscolla waiting for attention, it's just moved 10 places up the queue, ;D
Nice job on the Rhyolite too, I have worked a few rhyolites with mixed results, but your batch has a nice glint on the shine, no soft satin to be seen. Great shape too, looks like you aced a cracking group of softees Sir! It's always such a pleasure to see what can be achieved with care and expertise. Thanks for posting such fabulous results!
Cheers,
Sparkles.
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