azwirewrap
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 2
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Post by azwirewrap on Aug 22, 2009 11:15:51 GMT -5
I have just finished the tumbling process and the results are just gorgeous. But, they are simply tumbled rocks. Does anyone just wire wrap the tumbled rocks and use them in jewelry-making? I do not have the ability/funds/equipment/knowledge to create cabochons.
Any suggestions on how to do this... whether I should try it and designs that might work for tumbled rocks.
Also, I wish the tumbled rocks had a brighter sheen, but have been told that I must buy a polishing wheel of some kind and use "rouge". Is that next on my list if this is a feasible project?
Thanks, Carol
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2009 12:28:50 GMT -5
Hi Carol, It is very possible to wrap tumbled stones into attractive jewelry. "Natural" crystals can also be used. Here is one that I left as is and wrapped: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=wwp&action=display&thread=31487As for the polishing.........when properly tumbled, you can get a deep liquid-like polish to your stones without any other methods. Rouge is not necessary. Rouge is more often used in jewelry shops for polishing individual pieces of jewelry. It is also used when tumbling metals. With that said, some stones just WILL NOT take a good polish. These are often soft stones. If your tumbling batch gets contaminated, you also will not get a good shine. By contaminated I mean, that if your stones and barrel are not cleaned properly and ALL grit removed before moving to the next finer grit......you will end up with very small scratches and a dull finish. This is why many people have a separate barrel for each grit. Shan
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Post by MyNewHobby on Aug 22, 2009 15:28:10 GMT -5
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Post by frane on Aug 23, 2009 7:57:39 GMT -5
I think Julie is saying you can do it . Just look for the stones you have tumbled that are not quite as thick as others so you don't have a whole lot of weight to the stone that someone will wear. It is a little harder to wrap them but really, not too bad and they are all unique. Just start in and have fun with it! Fran
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aunuts
fully equipped rock polisher
Some days are gold, some are rocks. Either is cool.
Member since March 2006
Posts: 1,110
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Post by aunuts on Aug 23, 2009 12:49:40 GMT -5
Hi AZ, Where are you in AZ? We spend our winters in the Quartzsite area. I've done a bit of wrapping & might be able to help you out if you're in the area. Check out my work on my websites: jewelry-artistry.comor jewelryartistry.etsy.comHope I can help, Jo
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beachbabe
off to a rocking start
My little girl,Abbie, the other beachbabe!
Member since August 2009
Posts: 21
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Post by beachbabe on Aug 23, 2009 15:13:23 GMT -5
Hi, You can definately wire wrap tumbled pebbles. I wrap pebbles that I collect from a beach in Norflok,Uk and tumble myself. This is a photo of my first wire wrapped pebble. Give it a go. Mary
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cman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2009
Posts: 207
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Post by cman on Aug 23, 2009 19:39:52 GMT -5
Very nice to see this wrapping great work.
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azwirewrap
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2009
Posts: 2
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Post by azwirewrap on Aug 24, 2009 8:00:30 GMT -5
Thank you for all your advice about tumbling rocks. Really appreciate everyone on this board.
Carol in Surprise, AZ
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chrisperez
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2009
Posts: 457
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Post by chrisperez on Aug 30, 2009 10:06:20 GMT -5
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Post by moondragon on Aug 30, 2009 11:27:50 GMT -5
Chris you got some pretty stuff on flickr. Unusual and exotic looking. Very nice:)
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