djsparkles
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since June 2010
Posts: 79
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Post by djsparkles on Jul 9, 2020 8:10:40 GMT -5
I have acquired a large amount of it and was wondering several things:
1. Do they take a really REALLY good shine?
2. If so, how do y'all get the shine? I'm assuming it would be a different method than regular tumbling, because they are pretty plain stones to start with, not like gemstone materials.
3. The ratio of stones/media in the barrel would be the same, I'm assuming...
4. The application of borax in each step should be of assistance as well, correct?
5. Should I use some hand soap/ivory/dish soap/laundry soap in each step as a thickener to prevent cracks etc?
I think that's all for now. Good grief I'm just full of questions LOL but y'all always come through with the answers, so have at! Thanks in advance!
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Post by knave on Jul 9, 2020 8:29:20 GMT -5
The gray rocks are likely basalt, which are difficult to shine.
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djsparkles
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since June 2010
Posts: 79
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Post by djsparkles on Jul 9, 2020 8:31:49 GMT -5
knave Thanks! I was thinking that the whole mess would be a difficult project, but I'm still gonna give it a go. I'm about to be able to retire early (hopefully) and spend all my time with my rocks LOL. And I like a challenge lol
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Post by knave on Jul 9, 2020 8:39:14 GMT -5
River rocks make great tumbles. The ones I have trouble with: Quartzite will many times have preexisting fractures. Granite loves to undercut and won’t polish evenly in a tumbler. The plain basalt ones are a softer rock and will wear faster, and won’t Normally take a glossy shine.
You should be able to find some jaspers, quartz, and maybe even agates in your river rock. Best of luck.
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djsparkles
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since June 2010
Posts: 79
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Post by djsparkles on Jul 9, 2020 8:56:52 GMT -5
knave Excellent thank you! If I can get a decent shine on these, they'll make great decorative stones for a project we're planning
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Wooferhound
Cave Dweller
Lortone QT66 and 3A
Member since December 2016
Posts: 1,422
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Post by Wooferhound on Jul 9, 2020 14:57:46 GMT -5
Some of my North Alabama river rock tumbles . . .
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djsparkles
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since June 2010
Posts: 79
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Post by djsparkles on Jul 9, 2020 19:08:24 GMT -5
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