stolas
off to a rocking start
Member since August 2019
Posts: 1
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Post by stolas on Aug 19, 2019 10:12:25 GMT -5
Hello, I'm stolas from farm country by the Potomac river [VA]. I've collected rocks since I was a kid (...mostly sparkly gravel..), but fell out of the practice while growing up because it seemed like a useless hobby.
Luckily, I kept most of my cool rocks so now I can use them as tumbling material ^v^ Though I prefer to use rocks I've found along the river, since it's like a personal connection to me.
I've been tumbling for 2 months now, and it's become the highlight of my week. I've only managed to get 3 rocks to turn out well, but I'm still optimistic and I'll be posting specific questions in other parts of the forum later.
It's nice to finally join here, since I've been lurking for a while. Is anyone else from VA? Any cool kinds of rocks I should keep my eyes out for while on the river? Any interesting hotspots you reccomend?
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Post by manofglass on Aug 19, 2019 10:52:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Michigan
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Post by MsAli on Aug 19, 2019 11:08:54 GMT -5
Hi Stolas and welcome to the forum
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stonemon
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2017
Posts: 1,024
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Post by stonemon on Aug 19, 2019 17:06:27 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Oregon!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 19, 2019 18:48:21 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum from Northern Arizona!
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lookatthat
Cave Dweller
Whatever there is to be found.
Member since May 2017
Posts: 1,360
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Post by lookatthat on Aug 19, 2019 21:42:15 GMT -5
Greetings from Vermont!
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MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
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Post by MommaGem on Aug 20, 2019 10:14:44 GMT -5
A warm welcome from Houston, TX!
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,648
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Post by Tommy on Aug 20, 2019 12:22:49 GMT -5
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mgrets
spending too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 321
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Post by mgrets on Aug 21, 2019 15:51:31 GMT -5
Welcome from NW Ohio/SW Florida!
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Post by Peruano on Aug 21, 2019 18:02:53 GMT -5
Virginia (even the Potomac) rocks are spotty. Compared to the arid west, your area has too much dirt, that covers some of the good rocks (many of which are metamorphic and hence also spotty for lapidary purposes). But that is not to be negative, good rocks are where you seek them, learning to distinguish hard, from soft, and things that undercut versus those that don't will allow you to process many of your favorites. If you run out of good tumbling prospects from your stash, put out a shout and rocks will come your way. Rocks are forever.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2019 16:59:15 GMT -5
Welcome
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Post by TheRock on Sept 18, 2019 5:27:02 GMT -5
From ~Duke in SW/Michigan
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Post by rmf on Sept 18, 2019 8:13:01 GMT -5
stolas It may take you longer to tumble your rocks since you are so close to DC. Everything there moves slower.
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Post by rockjunquie on Sept 18, 2019 11:12:09 GMT -5
Welcome from Virginia Beach- land of no rocks.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2019 11:24:56 GMT -5
Hello, I'm stolas from farm country by the Potomac river [VA]. I've collected rocks since I was a kid (...mostly sparkly gravel..), but fell out of the practice while growing up because it seemed like a useless hobby. Luckily, I kept most of my cool rocks so now I can use them as tumbling material ^v^ Though I prefer to use rocks I've found along the river, since it's like a personal connection to me. I've been tumbling for 2 months now, and it's become the highlight of my week. I've only managed to get 3 rocks to turn out well, but I'm still optimistic and I'll be posting specific questions in other parts of the forum later. It's nice to finally join here, since I've been lurking for a while. Is anyone else from VA? Any cool kinds of rocks I should keep my eyes out for while on the river? Any interesting hotspots you reccomend? I've been tumbling mostly beach rocks, so they are already pretty rounded when I start; I'm guessing your river rocks are in similar condition when you find them.... I've ordered a Mohs Hardness kit to help me separate the soft from the hard rocks...I've just been guessing based on texture so far. So far I've had decent results; Im hoping sorting by hardness will improve my success rate...
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Post by Peruano on Sept 18, 2019 14:56:05 GMT -5
Work with three grades of hardness. 1 scratched by a pocket knife but not a file; 2. scratched by a file as well as the knife; and 3. not scratched by either.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,680
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 19, 2019 11:41:23 GMT -5
Welcome to RTH..
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Post by As I in does tries! on Oct 31, 2019 1:34:03 GMT -5
Greetings from Scotland on the other side of the pond!
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