alysia711
starting to shine!
Member since January 2016
Posts: 31 
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Post by alysia711 on Jan 14, 2016 19:48:34 GMT -5
Let me preface this by saying that I have seen very little rough rock in person, actually the only rough I've seen is what I received in the kit. So, how can you tell what is poor quality vs good quality rough? Is it different for tumbling size rough vs larger rough? A few weeks ago, I had considered getting some from an amazon seller, because of free shipping, but I really wasn't sure what I was looking for. I read the reviews, but that only helped so much. I have a very limited budget and was too scared of getting something that I would regret but not knowing it was bad until way past the point of returning for a refund.
on a side note, I realize I am an over sharer and it can be kind of off putting. It's partly a Southern thing, and partly a defense mechanism. I'm sorry if it makes anyone uncomfortable. Please trust me when I say that I am not naive about what oversharing some info can do. Any info I share is info that is public knowledge, including my location. Besides, if someone lurking wants to try and get me, they first have to brave my neighborhood, and then get past my protective german shepherd and protective mastiff mix.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,718 
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Post by Fossilman on Jan 14, 2016 20:36:19 GMT -5
Well as a whole,what are you looking for? People sell on this forum and they are very trusting people,and will treat you right....
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alysia711
starting to shine!
Member since January 2016
Posts: 31
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Post by alysia711 on Jan 14, 2016 20:52:30 GMT -5
Honestly, I have no idea what I'm looking for. I guess at this point I just need to get some experience under my belt before I start getting too picky. I guess, I just want to know what I'm doing in case I happen upon something around here and am feeling impulsive. I did come across a hardware store near where my grandma and dad live that has a whole section of gemstones, geodes, and some tumbling rough. It all looked like it had been there a while and the store was dark, so I really couldn't see what I was looking at. At this point, I wouldn't know if I was looking at some crap rough or good rough even in good light, though. I was too nervous to ask the owner any questions, and a lot of these hardware store owners don't like communicating with women in what they consider a man's domain. All of that considered, and my anxiety disorder kicks in and I start to stutter. So, I left before I threw up. (Yes, I know, again with the oversharing.)
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alysia711
starting to shine!
Member since January 2016
Posts: 31
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Post by alysia711 on Jan 14, 2016 21:05:55 GMT -5
oh, and the guy only had about 6 different types of rocks for tumbling and they were pretty small.
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Post by Starguy on Jan 14, 2016 21:24:27 GMT -5
alysia711Most agates and Jaspers will tumble nicely. I get a lot of rough on eBay, mostly Botswana agate and Lake Superior agate. Try wetting rocks you think you might like. It gives you a much better idea of what they might look like when they are polished.
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Post by DirtCleaner on Jan 15, 2016 16:59:49 GMT -5
No need to panic about rocks. They kinda just sit there waiting for something to do. Same with rock people. We are generally a patient bunch.
Since you found a source of some rocks for your tumbler head back to the store and casually ask what their opinion is on if they would polish up or not in a tumbler. You might get a good, educational, response or maybe just and "I don't know." If the people don't know that answer then figure that they should not be asking much for their rocks.
Get enough to 3/4 fill the tumbler barrel. Various sizes is best.
Do you have coarse grit? If not ask if they have that. Otherwise you will need to source some. Internet is easy as you don't have to interact with people much.
There are a few other things that might help but to just try a batch start with that, add some water and tumble for 10 - 14 days.
Following that there are 3 more tumbling steps and some other helpful hints like - Don't dump the sludge into any drain.
But we will get you to that later.
If you do buy grit on-line get a 4-step kit that has 4 different grits.
Relax, enjoy and you will like the sound of the tumbler going around.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,548
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Post by tkvancil on Jan 17, 2016 12:05:03 GMT -5
alysia711 First let me say welcome. As a beginner agates and jaspers are best to start with. There are a lot of online vendors to purchase good rough from. Myself and many members buy from www.therockshed.com/ and www.kingsleynorth.com/ I have never gotten anything bad from either one. In my experience jaspers finish faster than agates. Picture Jasper and some Desert Jasper (Rockshed) are good choices. Sea Jasper maybe not. It has a lot of pits and cracks, not the sellers fault, just the nature of the rock. All those flaws get frustrating. Lake Superior and Mexican Crazy Lace Agates (Kingsley) are also good choices. They too have a good share of natural flaws but the finished rocks are interesting and beautiful. Worth the extra time it takes to tumble out the flaws. IMHO. Commercially processed rough often falls into the "it is what it is" category. For instance crushed tumbling rough tends to have a lot fractures in it. But it is usually reasonably priced and you can work with it to get nice tumbles.
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