yooper10
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2010
Posts: 23
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Post by yooper10 on Jul 11, 2010 21:26:21 GMT -5
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elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
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Post by elementary on Jul 11, 2010 21:58:36 GMT -5
Wow,
That is a beauty!!!
I've posted before that a person should make the stone look how they want it to appear when they have it on display, but in this case, the natural look is so smooth and beautiful, I don't think you should touch it. Find some nice three prong stand and display it as found!
It's a wonderful stone that really doesn't need any augmentation - except maybe some oil to heighten the banding a bit (as it looks when wet.. )
Lowell
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Post by drocknut on Jul 11, 2010 22:56:54 GMT -5
I think it would look good polished because I think it would show off that banding. It's more a matter of personal preference though.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jul 12, 2010 7:46:50 GMT -5
I would polish it in a vibe, but as Lowell said, that's just my preference.
If you go the oil route, hit the stone to about 250 degrees in the oven (put the stone in while the oven is preheating) and then rub it with mineral oil once it is hot (after about an hour). The heat helps draw the oil into the stone. You may find other recipes that will work just as well.
Chuck
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Post by frane on Jul 12, 2010 8:21:12 GMT -5
That is a very pretty find! I am not sure if I would want to chance fracturing it in a tumbler but it does need something to bring out the color in it. Fran
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yooper10
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2010
Posts: 23
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Post by yooper10 on Jul 12, 2010 8:36:06 GMT -5
Thanks for all of your input. I am going to try heating it first and rubbing it with mineral oil. I personally think it looks wonderful as it is, but it is my daughters so I will let her make the decision.
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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 Jul 12, 2010 9:25:55 GMT -5
That's a nice rock! It looks like Lake Supeior may have pre-tumbled a bit. I think I would oil it first too. That way you could always change your mind down the road if it keeps looking at you funny!
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 12, 2010 9:53:46 GMT -5
The purest collectors of Lake Superior agates would have a fit if you polished that one. To the collector, it reduces the value of the stone if you polish it. I too would go with the oil treatment. But as you say, it's your daughters stone. Maybe give it a real good scrubbing first, and try the oil before going further Don
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jul 12, 2010 12:25:27 GMT -5
While Don is right in principal, there are _so_ many Lakers that a 3 oz. one is not particularly valuable. I went to a rock swap this spring and people were selling buckets of Lakers. People were asking for $25-$50 for a rock like yours, but I didn't see any selling. A _lot_ of people had 1 lb. or larger agates for sale, but they weren't moving. There were a few for sale in the 2-3 lb. range, but nobody wanted to drop $2-$4 k on a rock. The action was in the tumbling rough.
Don't get me wrong. It's a beautiful rock! I just wouldn't worry about the value and would do whatever I liked best.
Chuck
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Post by superioragates on Jul 13, 2010 0:43:47 GMT -5
I cut my lakers that small normally, but that one looks in near perfect shape...I dunno, that may be a shelfer fer sure...well thats what I would do with one that looks that nice...oil it up, and put it up on display...very nice lookin Laker!!!
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yooper10
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2010
Posts: 23
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Post by yooper10 on Jul 13, 2010 7:51:05 GMT -5
We have decided not to tumble this one. We really do not care about its' value as my daughter will never sell it anyway. It will become a shelver to admire. I agree with Don. A true Superior collector would never polish this one much less cut it in slabs. Agates like this one are hard to come by where I live. But it is our preference to leave it as is. Thanks Everyone for your comments!!!
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highplainsdrifter
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,266
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Post by highplainsdrifter on Jul 13, 2010 10:31:05 GMT -5
Beautiful stone! I would probably tumble that one.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Jul 13, 2010 18:05:46 GMT -5
I'd put it through an abbreviated polish step with lots of small pebbles and plastic spacers. It will burnish the surface and leave the character.
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bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719
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Post by bushmanbilly on Jul 15, 2010 18:42:48 GMT -5
Your daughter has a keen eye for agates. Beutiful piece.
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yooper10
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2010
Posts: 23
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Post by yooper10 on Jul 20, 2010 6:40:41 GMT -5
Well, after alot of consideration, we have decided this one will go in our next batch to be polished. I have a batch going now that have alot of beauties. I will post pictures as soon as they are finished. It will be awhile before I can post a picture of this one all polished and ready to display.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Jul 31, 2010 11:06:18 GMT -5
With no real obvious fracture I think this one will polish up real/nice. Lakers are brtally hard so I would not skip the rough stage. Give it about 2 week in course then move it on.
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