Free Rocks ( or mostly)

[liveoak]

Got my contest gift certificate rocks today from the Rock Shed (plus a couple of extras) .

Turritella Agate, Stromatolite, Fancy Jasper & a free tumbled Bahia Agate Rock.

Thanks again agatewhisperer & Shawn @ The Rock Shed

Patty.... happy to have more rocks

 

[Deleted]

liveoak
Now Patty, that’s a teaser to show us all rocks in bags! How about some opened bag rock pictures?!

[agatewhisperer]

I'm glad you were able to make quick use of the certificate!

[liveoak]

Sorry ashley, I don't get to check them out till tonight after work.
So I'll get there - more photos to come :-)

Patty

[fernwood]

I love the Turritella from The Rock Shed.

[jasoninsd]

I was thinking what ashley said! LOL

I'll be watching to see how the Stromatolite treats you. I picked some up awhile back from TRS and was hoping for better results than what I got. That's not meant to "dog" their material...but I think it's like Turitella...where it's hit or miss...

[liveoak]

Sorry ashley & jasoninsd, I was so pumped that the box came at my lunch break yesterday - guess I wasn't thinking that plastic bags were a pretty boring photo shoot

My shock was that I had only ordered it on Wednesday & it arrived on Friday - 2 days from South Dakota , impressive.

Well I'll hope the Stromatolite treats me good Jason, as the patterns in it look outstanding.

if I can get out between the rain and slab some this weekend, I'll be happy.

You're right Beth fernwood the Turritella Agate looks terrific.

I was on the fence if I should order some- but I'm really glad I did.

LOTS of cool shells in them.

But the Red & Green Fancy Jasper is such a mix of colors & patterns. It's hard to believe it's all the same stuff.

One piece looks like blood stone, one piece reminds me of  tree agate, one piece has patterns like

 I think of canyon walls in the SW, and one pieces is solid dark green, like jade or something. What a great mix.

But the real question is what do you see in my free tumbled Bahia Agate Rock ?

I'm afraid to say ALL the many things Tom sees in it

Thanks for looking,

Patty

[fernwood]

Nice. I get the individual Turritella shells. They make for some nice pendants and earrings.

That Baha has a lot going on.

[jasoninsd]

Good looking material Patty! Thanks for posting the pics. The Stromatolite really does look like it's got some great patterning in it.

The main spot on the middle right on that Bahia looks like a large eagle in flight carrying a dead goat. I love these Rorschach tests! LOL

[liveoak]

You're as bad as Tom jasoninsd with the dead goat

Tom had the eagle in one of his interpretations......

Then there was the soccer player

Then there was the dog jumping to catch the soccer ball.

Wow, guys I saw a not too bad shiny rock

Patty

[jasoninsd]

Jul 16, 2022 15:29:33 GMT -5 liveoak said:

You're as bad as Tom jasoninsd with the dead goat

Tom had the eagle in one of his interpretations......

Then there was the soccer player

Then there was the dog jumping to catch the soccer ball.

Wow, guys I saw a not too bad shiny rock

Patty

Well...there is that too!  LOL

[Deleted]

liveoak
Now that’s what I’m talking bout Patty! Nice pictures! Really like the green one. What’s your plans for them?

[liveoak]

Cabs, cabs & cabs.
Maybe the cutoffs could be tumbled.

But I'm thinking cabs & jewelry.......

Patty... with so many rocks & so little time......

[Deleted]

Jul 16, 2022 20:30:36 GMT -5 liveoak said:

Cabs, cabs & cabs.
Maybe the cutoffs could be tumbled.

But I'm thinking cabs & jewelry.......

Patty... with so many rocks & so little time......

Looking forward to seeing them worked!

[liveoak]

Jul 16, 2022 6:09:05 GMT -5 jasoninsd said:

I'll be watching to see how the Stromatolite treats you.

I realized I should have asked you what was the story with the Stromatolite ?

I think it's a little soft, but does it take a polish ?

Any tips to share ?

Thanks,

Patty

[jasoninsd]

Jul 17, 2022 9:39:55 GMT -5 liveoak said:

Jul 16, 2022 6:09:05 GMT -5 jasoninsd said:

I'll be watching to see how the Stromatolite treats you.

I realized I should have asked you what was the story with the Stromatolite ?

I think it's a little soft, but does it take a polish ?

Any tips to share ?

Thanks,

Patty

If I remember correctly, the issue I had with it was the seemingly varying hardness within the differing color bands. I don't think it took a decent polish if I also remember correctly. I must not have been too overly impressed, as I just searched for pics of my cabs on the forum...but I guess I never posted any...which tells me I REALLY didn't like the finished pieces!

I wish I had some tips to share - but I couldn't figure the stuff out...I think I was hoping you'd make some killer cabs and come up with some good advice to share with me! 

I really think it similar to Turitella where it depends on how solidified (or silicified) the "mud" got over time. I know the more "black" or darker the Turitella, the better polish it'll take.

[liveoak]

Thanks Jason, jasoninsd, I have some ideas of how to work it & if anything works out I'll certainly post it.

It's just so cool looking, as well as the Turitella , that I think it's worth the effort

Patty

[jasoninsd]

Jul 17, 2022 10:29:21 GMT -5 liveoak said:

Thanks Jason, jasoninsd , I have some ideas of how to work it & if anything works out I'll certainly post it.

It's just so cool looking, as well as the Turitella , that I think it's worth the effort

Patty

I totally agree. I fell in love with Stromatolite from the first moment I saw some posted on the forum (I think it was nevadabill who was posting a bunch). The patterns are amazing. I'd love to hear what you come up with when you get a chance to work it. 

[rockpickerforever]

Jul 17, 2022 9:39:55 GMT -5 liveoak said:

Jul 16, 2022 6:09:05 GMT -5 jasoninsd said:

I'll be watching to see how the Stromatolite treats you.

I realized I should have asked you what was the story with the Stromatolite ?

I think it's a little soft, but does it take a polish ?

Any tips to share ?

Thanks,

Patty

I don't go far for my stromatolites, we pick them up in the SoCal desert! Depending on their hardness, they can take a great shine! 

This thread  (copied below) forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/post/926996/thread is 15 years old!!


"How I did it" instructions below last pic.

It depends on how "soft" your stromatolite is. The stromatolite found in the Southern California desert is pretty well silicified. It takes a great polish, and has some interesting patterns. I have tumbled some in the past, also have some in the tumbler right now.

These were just getting started. Was tumbled with rocks of varying hardness, up to hard-ass GA coral.

This one broke into 3 pieces before finishing   Too much action.

Finished. Stromatolites in center of pic.

I like them, but to each his own. I am an old newbie at this, just started tumbling again after a 40+ year hiatus. Got a good deal on 50# 30 grit SiC from Kingsley North. That should keep me busy for a while.

I am an advocate of the jamesp "add a cup of 30 grit every few days" plan, using rotary tumblers (Lortone QT66 and 15 lb Scott/Murray) When rocks are shaped to my liking, I let the grit wear down until it is very fine.  Wash them well, rinse, and rinse again. Move rocks to Gy-Roc A vibe using 220, let it break down. Then use Cerium Oxide for polish. Have run two batches this way. Works for me.

Good luck with your new tumbler, and your next batch.

[liveoak]

Thank you rockpickerforever.

I haven't gotten to the saw yet with my Stromatolite, (too many chores took over the weekend)

so I can't comment on it's nature.

But I appreciate the encouragement- you have a beautiful polish on it.

Gives me hope. 

Patty