Rock Tumbling: Jasper Varieties - Red Oolitic, Mary Ellen, & more | Looking at Rocks (NOT A HOW TO)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Looking at some jasper varieties that have gone through the rock tumbling process. There is red oolitic jasper, Mary Ellen jasper, iron banded jasper. This is not a how to video, just showing some stones that have been tumbled. All these jasper varieties are from Minnesota and found by me. I will be the first to admit I don't think I am very good at tumbling rocks but maybe with some helpful tips, I can get better. Thanks for watching and I have one more batch of rocks to show, those turned out better than these and should be uploaded in the weeks to come.
-- SUBSCRIBE | JOIN THE FAM --
www.youtube.co...
TOP 5 ROCKHOUNDING VIDEOS
Finding Lake Superior Rocks: • Exploring for Lake Sup...
Unexpected Find at New Rockhounding Location: • Finding a BIG Unexpete...
Finding a BIG Lake Superior Agate: • The best AGATE I have ...
Rockhounding an Unpicked Beach: • Unpicked Beach full of...
Finding Amethyst on South Shore beach (WI): • Beachcombing for AMETH...
TOP 5 LAPIDARY VIDEOS
What's Inside Porphyry??: • I Found AGATE inside P...
Slabbing RARE Bullseye Jasper: • Rare BULLSEYE Jasper c...
Dremel Polishing: • Polishing Lake Superio...
Cutting Agates w/ Tile Saw: • TILE SAW vs AGATES! Cu...
Polishing an Agate Nodule: • Polishing an Agate Nod...
-- ALL AGATE DAD LINKS --
linktr.ee/Agat...
-- HI-TECH DIAMOND -- LAPIDARY EQUIPMENT
hitechdiamond.com?aff=22 - be sure to use discount code AGATEDAD at checkout to save 10% (excluding machines, extended warranties, and gift cards)
-- MUSICAL CREDITS --
LAKEY INSPIRED:
/ lakeyinspired
open.spotify.c....
/ lakeyinspired
creativecommon....
Music provided by RFM: • Video
#RockTumbling #Jasper #MaryEllenJasper #Minerals #Nature #Rocks
I’ll be the first to say I am not the best at tumbling rocks 😅 I hope you enjoyed the video though and have a great day!
I was watching Montana Rock Mom last night and she was discussing the exact same thing. She's scrubbing after each cycle and doing 1 to 2 water tumbles after cycles.
She’s awesome, I try very hard to not cross contaminate
@Agate Dad I believe that the imperfections are there from the beginning, the polishing stage just highlights the imperfections. Go back to stage one with the stones with the same problems and tumble longer. Kind of like polishing on your flat lap… anything that you don’t like you need to polish off. 😊
@@AgateDad the video was from a year ago.
I'm breaking away this weekend. If I get access to that land we discussed previously, I'll contact you immediately. If you can break away, I'll take you.
Tumbling can be tricky sometimes. Some rocks have softer material in them that gets exposed in the tumbling process, which can create a dull, pitted looking surface in the final polish. I'm not sure how long you tumble your rocks, but I normally go 7 days on stages 1&2, then 12-14 days on stages 3&4. I also add in a lot of tiny agates for filler. I have also found that on stages 3&4, bottled water works really good, as well as adding in some ivory soap or borax with the tumbling grit.
I always had issues with trying to get the grit out of the cracks. Then I bought an ultrasonic cleaner on Amazon ($30) and with warm water and dish soap it worked amazing. Cant recommend it enough. Also good for just general cleaning. Also the dish soap really is the key as it breaks the surface tension of the water and allows it to get in all the little tiny cracks.
That bad pile is a great example of "undercutting". That's why I don't tumble granite. It always happens starting at about 500 grit. Re-tumbling them probably won't help. It's not something you did wrong, it's because the rocks weren't great for tumbling. I'm surprised, because jasper is usually good for tumbling.
Did you move those tile spacers along with the rocks? I have never used those, but they should work like plastic pellets. With soft media like that, the grit will get embedded in it. So you have to use different stuff for each stage. You can reuse them in your next batch. Personally, I find ceramic easier to use. You can move it right along with the rocks and I get a better shine with it.
What were you using for pre-polish and polish? I prefer aluminum oxide 500 and aluminum oxide polish from the Rock Shed. They have very good polish and it's not expensive.
I used different spaces for each process and have separated them into stage specific bags to eliminate cross contamination. I wondered if maybe it’s just the stones being somewhat of the problem. Much to learn!
@@AgateDad You'll get the hang of it. I think those rocks were the main problem. I'm going to tumble some that Thomas gave me one of these days. It will be interesting to see if I run into similar problems.
I'm glad I'm not the only person who is dissatisfied with how the rocks look after tumbling, thanks
Yeah I don’t know why it’s so hard lol I should just send them to Michigan Rocks since he’s the tumbling legend
@@AgateDad NO! I have enough to tumble already.
@@AgateDad I tumble rocks as a hobby. I found that it is very important to make sure that the grits from the previous step is completely washed off and at the end to get a high shine polish…. I cut up an old thick piece of leather, I cut it up into small pieces and put it in with the polishing grit. I was really happy with how they came out. Oh, I almost forgot… I have also found that on some pieces, they do better if I shape them just a little bit before I tumble them. I hope it helps. ♥️
beautiful pieces! honestly, i kind of love the “imperfections” in the rocks even after tumbling because rocks weren’t made with the intent of “perfection.” any blemishes kinda give the piece character.
also i’ve been watching your videos for a few months now and i just want you to know, you’re definitely my comfort channel! your videos help me de-stress and get excited about going out on my next rock hounding adventure! thanks for sharing your adventures with us, taylor!
Did you try tumbling them in a soap bath ( Ivory ) after the last stage . The Polish goes down into the pits and makes the pits visible to the eye . I have found that if you slab your rocks before tumbling that they come out better . You can also shape your stones on your tile saw before putting them in the tumbler . I have tried the mediums sometimes they work sometimes they don't. Not sure about that either way . Try first to wash the rocks for a 24 hour period . Rinse your rocks , and wash them again. If you think they need it . Hoping this helps.
Thank you .
I do burnish them but maybe not long enough
I should have read this post before I asked 😁, Thank You
I started burnishing in between each step instead of just at the end and it helps. I also switch the plastic pellets for the last stage.
Good day Taylor. Thank you for the video! Beautiful jaspers!
Hit home for me. Jaspers and tumbling. The only time I had an luck was the first time I tumbled. Somehow I did it sort of right. I started in a 15lb tumbler ( thumlers) then at 3rd stage went to vibratories. So many tumbler and vibratories now a days. I hope we all have better luck ( luck said lightly, if you are reading this “ Michigan Rocks man ). It is an art. I see them natural and think, wow this would look great shiny, they are hard, so… and I’ve been disappointed. Although I wouldn’t tell you my tumbler, vibratory history. Too long and calamitous for a short 5? yrs. Vibratories make a big difference. I use those tile spacers too, I think they are well regarded now. Oh, my comment? Anyways, cheers
There is a Facebook page called Rock Tumbling and Lapidary Discussion, they may be able to help with ideas. I've learned a lot of good tips about tumbling there. Just a thought. Those are beautiful jaspers, I hope you can get them to turn out beautifully! Thanks for sharing.🙂
Good tip!
I liked them all but I happen to be super new to tumbling. Always loved rocks, just purchased my first tumbler
Nice!
M E Jasper. That's what I found. I have an 11oz. piece of that. All the swirling ridges stick out on mine, but it has Limonite mixed in a couple of the swirls. So I thought it was an agate. Thank you. Also that's why I'm afraid of tumbling anything.
You will get better .spay the rocks down with the purple power you buy in the car care section for tire and wheel cover cleaning. Rins well after wards .it may surprise you ,it is a very good surfactant and will remove the residue,a soft tooth brush helps
Wow those are beautiful rocks 👍👍👍
Enjoy your videos! I'm having problems with my tumbling also. Keep watching Michigan Rocks for tips. 🙂
Good Morning Taylor!!! Such beautiful pieces of Jasper ❤ I love how tumbling really enhances the beauty of these finds!
It truly does!
They all look great to me. Awesome video. Thanks
🤘🙏
I find that Jasper makes the best host rock when I tumble them. "Jasper the friendly host" is what I like to say...
Love this video!! I'm in TN and with about 5 acres of land with a stream going through it, there is TONS of jasper! I've found yellow and red, and the occasional picture jasper worthy of keeping with gorgeous patterns. It's my personal favorite apart from quartz which is also common in my area. Seeing those colors pop once they are smoothed out is just astounding! Love your channel, subbed & liked! Thank you for everything, sharing your knowledge, results, etc.! > side note: agates are my dream find..!! BUT alas, I have got a handful of the nearest thing - golden chaceldony - in the tumbler currently, and they were already glowing gorgeously and smooth to begin with, with minor imperfections.. walked my local park and found several (with park permission) I took home that I am super excited to see polished up!!
Damn that iron bandit Jasper is awesome man.
Brave man! I can visualize Michigan Rocks watching and thinking, "Well, now I know which of my videos he Hasn't watched," 🤣
Just kidding, after tumbling rocks for almost 20 years, I still get rocks like the first group. I have found that Mary Ellen jasper isn't very tumbler friendly do to the multiple hardness' that are inherent in the stone. Pull out the polishing disks buddy, it can be saved!
I've also found that saw scraps and chips make excellent filler, and after a load you have shiny aquarium gravel.
Thanks for the Fun video...
As always, Good Luck, Have Fun, and Keep on Houndin'...
Steve.
I’ve watched a lot of his tumbling videos lol I’ve wondered if I do a light polish on my flat lap, starting at 1200 and moving up to 3000… think it could be saved?!
@@AgateDad, Me bein' me, I'd look to see how deep the undercuts are first. Then if they're deep enough consider 1000 grit. But, yeah, otherwise I didn't see any damage that you can't handle. You've got the tools, you've shown the skills, No problem!
Have Fun with it!
That magnetic piece is super cool... my last stage of my tumble was crap so I took everything out and scrubbed them cleaned my barrels going to try again after my little space is done... I got a couple trays if jasper and agate soaking... I got so busy the last couple months... but once winter hits I'm going to play with my rocks more. 😁
I watched and rewatched Robs videos aka Michigan Rocks over and over and took notes till I had it in my head. One of my problems was not tumbling long enough, one was I bought junky grits, and I forgot to burnish between stages. Some rocks can take months to polish. In time you will get better. You did a very good job for a beginner. Thanks for sharing. Never stop learning.
My other batch (video coming out soon) did better for being a much more difficult Stone to tumble lol
I have some that did better then others too. Soon here I will be going back through all I have done and seeing which ones really need more time to look better. I think I was just too impatient. I need to sort them anyway. I too love love love jasper. I have some from Minnesota as well. Can't wait to see your next video my friend.
Thanks for sharing man! I find tumbling jasper that already has some pitting in it's rough state never turns out well. I tend to only do the super solid pieces with no/minimal pitting. Sometimes jasper, especially the stuff we find here in Minnesota, will have softer minerals in it that wear out faster in the tumbler and cause the pitting to get continually worse. You can also cut off any areas of a piece jasper with pitting and save the parts with no pitting for tumbling.
I have same issues with tumbling. I’m so glad you are showing the good, bad and the ugly. Can’t wait to hear what people suggest in comments . Everything always seems great until I get to polish stage. I use the same tile spacers and burnish between each stage.
Happy to show it all, not everyone likes seeing it, but those who do appreciate it!
My kitchen counter has ohhh probably 500 stones and crystals I am trying to figure out what a few are...lol! I've been collecting for a few years now,crystals,rocks,stones ,shells,feathers many many of mother nature's beautiful gifts..I took my 2younger granddaughters (2 1/2 and 8 years old ) to Lake Erie Genova on the Lake Ohio..We found so many beautiful rocks..The girls have been so excited to go on hunts with Grammy and enjoyed the beach rock hunt more than the swimming, and they're Daddy My Son is now hooked..."YES WE ARE ALL NOW ROCK LICKERS".. **THAT WOULD BE AWESOME ON A TEE-SHIRT ** With a banded or miss agate behind the lettering ..hehe! The kids and grandbabies came over Sunday for STEELER GAME (sucked) and A early Birthday dinner and cake for me...MY SON ,MYSELF and THE GRANDAUGHTERS (Kali and ASHLYN where watching your videos on the big screen..AWESOME!!! Thank you for helping me SMILE as I watch them enjoy your videos and because of your videos they accompany me on my hunts... ❤️PRICELESS BIRTHDAY PRESENT ❤️..(actually wed 22 )I have always enjoyed mother nature and her beautiful gifts ..Sending positive energy LOVE and ☯️ LIGHT to you and your family my friend.Blessed be.Pittsburgh Pa.💛🖤
(MawDuKeStheGoOdWiTcH🌏🌊🌬️🔥❤️😘)
Mary Ellen Jasper is the bane of my tumbling existence lol. It almost always undercuts. Rob is always the best resource in my opinion for good info!
Learned a lot from this video! Thanks for sharing! You still have beautiful rocks! 😀
G Loomis! Now we know, the man's got not only style yet good taste as well.
Always fun, ever enjoyable as well as educational.
#thefinders #Teamwork
Oh Boy! You're sure getting a lot of advice. All I can say is see how others are doing it and adapt those things that work best for you through trial and error. Practice, Practice, Practice. I made the very long trek to Lake Superior early this summer and found some of the easiest and prettiest rocks I've ever tumbled. Can't wait to go back some day. A hard stone in solid condition will always give you a shiny keepsake in the end. Good Luck and keep 'em rolling!
Burnish your rocks after final stage. Get some Tide powder soap and run a couple days. It really works!
I really really really like jasper😎👍.. but it's a bummer when they come out all pitted.. I have had the same results in the past.. Looks good before the polishing stage...but after that 😬..Even with a burnishing stage In between each stage ( teaspoon of Borex in the barrel run for 2 hours ) I try to run them through again..but no go.. I just bought a lot-o-tumbler..it should be here tomorrow 🤞 I'm hoping this will help.
Up on the north shore for another day. Gonna stop at beaver bay tomorrow. Went to Grand portage today. Only a few small agates. Along the way.
Bet the drive was great! Colors are starting to change
I’m up in Duluth right know. Going up to the boarder tomorrow. Gonna try to find some rocks tomorrow.🤗
Nice! Hit up paradise beach, I want to but I don’t think I’ll have enough time
Some of the lesser pieces would be cool either in a fish tank or on top of a potted plant, covering the dirt.
About a tablespoon of Tide in each barrel. Oh ya have a bunch of Jasper from Paradise Beach that I tumbled and it is in the bottom of my fish tank. Good accent for my river theme.
Huge Thanks to everyone for your tumbling tips in the comments ❤
I just started tumbling and rock hounding. Moved to Upstate SC and see all the cool rocks and minerals got me super excited 😄 Almost done with stage 1 on my first ever tumble! Can't wait!
Well. the best thing about rock tumbling is you can redo the ones that didn't work out. Also some of these rocks look like all they needed was a month extra in medium grit to get out those stubborn pits, please note I am also new to tumbling (3 years) but I seem to have found a good system from MeMiner that suits me well.
So true! It’s an art, that’s for sure!
Hey there! Long time lurker here popping in with some possible advice :)
Please take this all with a grain of salt, I myself am still extremely new to tumbling. I don't really consider even my first batch to be done just yet (although I've experimented with some funky shaped agates going though JUST a Lot-o tumbler, trying to keep the natural shape.. but I wasn't happy with them lol).
I've heard of the plastic tile spacers before, and I actually got some at the beginning of my experimenting but, I ended up using the usual ceramic media and never really tested the tile spacers. One thing worth thinking on, is that perhaps the material of the spacers doesn't ever polish? And I know that if you have rocks that won't take a polish in a batch, that can cause other rocks in the batch to not polish.. perhaps those could be causing the dullness on your batch? At the point that I'm at currently, I'm planning on switching to small, round, polished quartz pebbles as media (I'm just waiting for a stockpile to be tumbled and ready haha).
Alternatively, perhaps your problem could be the amount that you fill your barrels. I don't have 6lb barrels, but I have mostly 3lb barrels and a big 15lb barrel. The 15lb is quite new and the amount that was ground down so far was amazing compared to anything my 3lb barrels have done. I've heard that this is partly due to the tumbler being bigger - more space for the rocks to fall, and therefore great for step 1! However, this may be why they're getting damaged when you move them to stage 4. I know the recommended amount to fill a tumbler is typically 2/3 full, but you may want to go a bit over for stage 4 by adding more media for extra cushioning and so that they don't fall as far? Alternatively, you could look into ways to thicken your slurry, so that will provide cushioning, as well.
I will say, a vibratory tumbler may help you out. I know it sucks to spend more on a hobby you're just trying to dip your toes into, though. I also know that there are ways to get amazing results in just a rotary. Personally I'm too impatient ahaha.
This brings up my next advice, which you may already know of, but Rocktumblinghobby.com is extremely useful for information. There are definitely people over there with threads talking of just using rotary. There is also a user on there by the name of ingawh who's technique is extremely interesting to me, and she gets amazing results (she does also use a vibe after step 1, though). I've finally gotten enough to finish a batch, and its currently in what should be the last step, using ingawh's technique. I should hopefully know how they turn out tomorrow, so we will see!
Also, the folks over at RTH are extremely patient and kind, and you don't have to worry about anyone eating you alive for anything haha. They're extremely wonderful with advice, in my experience, and as I've heard said, "there are many ways to skin a cat" in regards to tumbling. No method is inherently wrong, and experimenting is a positive. The pieces you're working with are absolutely gorgeous, by the way!
OKAY that's enough for my huge ramble, I really hope something I've said helps a bit! Thank you so much for all of your content, it helped me get into this wonderful hobby
They look great brother! Killed it! Loving these Monday videos!!!
Glad you’re enjoying my man!
Ooo that oolitic is awesome!! I have some mixed Utah jasper in the tumbler now!
Nice!
Take all the ones you’re not happy with and start back at stage one run them through to pre-polish. Take them out and look at them they will be beautiful they won’t shine but they will be beautiful. Avoid the last two stages and you will be fine.
Plastic tumbling media can leave a residue on the surface that dulls the sheen, you can improve the finish by tumbling the rocks with an aggressive soap or by buffing the surface with some form of cloth.
Thanks’
At what stages do you burnish. At least burnish before polish and again after polish. I also do it before stage 3. I use a vibratory tumbler to polish. Since doing this I've improved tumbling that Ican match some of Michigan Rocks tumblers and he's the master.
I burnish after each stage
How big is your tumbler? My grandfather lived in Bandon Oregon on the cliffs above the beach. He built a tumble out of an empty full keg for beer. It was loud but he had a detached garage from house so they didn't hear ir.
They are beautiful even if a little less shiny than you wanted! Love your videos!
Hi again TAYLOR
Happy you're giving tumbling a try. Just keep practicing and you'll get it. Must say I'm a bit perplexed with that pitting. Thinking the spacers are an issue.
I really enjoy tumblings beautiful results!
Thx as always. The details in that last Jasper were way cool. Looking forward to all you're trying and discovering...
Hi the rocks look pretty good. As I move fron stage to stage I have to add fill (plastic or ceramic beads) because the tumbled rocks loose mass as they are ground down. If you don't they will start to bang against each other causing chips or fracture Mark's. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Good luck, be happy ,safe and stay healthy 😷⚒
enjoyed the vid Taylor, don't have a tumbler, but enjoy seein' them polished up. l heard some use corn for a final polish, l know it sounds weird, just somethin' ta think about. hope ya get them polished up 👊
I think the pitting is from the softer host rock .
Thank you for sharing. Check out Michigan Rocks he tumbles stones as well. I'm sure he can help you. All the very best.
Michigan Rocks?
(I’m kidding)
@@AgateDad Who is that guy?
😂
What if you put the better, but not perfect, ones on your wet sanding finishing machine? You can work those pits out more, and give it a great shine. Just a thought.
Definitely a good option now 🤘
One thing I've been thinking about is that it may be possible that; correct me if I'm wrong, it could be Conchoidial fractures that cause those breaks in the last stages. They would be nearly impossible to see in jasper, or natural inclusions.
Nice
These turned out better than mine! I'm assuming Rob's rock rumbler he built in the cabinet is why his rocks turn out so well. Thinking the little machines speed wise aren't the best. I feel like with my tumble that I could go weeks and it wouldn't get better, lol. Thanks for sharing this video. Love the iron banded jasper and how it's magnetic, that looked to be a really strong one too, more iron.
Yeah that was one of my favorites from the batch!
Can you burnish the polish out fractures and pits?
Hey Taylor, great examples of some beautiful jasper!! My guess is the undercutting occurs from the black spots or sections of the stone.. The rest looks like bruising from not enough cushioning.. I've used tile spacers in the past and had a similar outcome. I cut some of the spacers in 1/2 and 1/4's just to get some smaller pieces for cushioning.. Ultimately I just bought a 5lb bag of plastic beads and it works a lot better for me.. They float also 😉.. Don't give up man.. You'll get there!!!
Yeah I’ll keep working on it! Thanks for the tips, I had multiple sizes of spacers but maybe they’re still too big
If you go on Michigan rocks he's got a lot of tumbling videos that are really good what to not to do want to do
I didn’t know he tumbled rocks?! Jk 😂
Gosh, I love Jasper, and the Mary Ellen you have is outstanding. This video hit home for me. The only time I had good luck with jaspers of the breciated?
It just needs to be properly tumbled!
Hello, I have a question: I use the rocks almost exclusively on the sea beach, and therefore they are already partially worked and rounded, could I just use the last two steps with 500 grit and aluminum oxide?
Being new to tumbling also, we had the exact same thing happen. Beautiful rocks after stage 3, crap rocks after stage 4! Totally discouraging!
I read that if you use the tile spacers to run them by themselves in stage 1, and are you using borax soap on the last stage?
Borax after each stage
Top amigo like abraços
Very nice for being new at it. My nephew who has been rock tumbling since he was in elementary school and and is now in his twenty’s is amazing. I tried once. Let’s just say not sure it was even a rock when I was done. 😁
I am in no way any kind of expert. But I've found when tumbling anything with pockets or cracks, instead of the polish step use a really stiff mix of soap and filler (I use sawdust) for a while with no polish. It seems to keep the cloudy stuff from appearing. I think it is where the polish is so small it penetrates and leaves a film inside. Try tumbling those with the cloudy places for a couple days with just a whole lot of powdered detergent and see if it helps. I also tend to do a fifth stage and burnish with just soap and filler. It's frustrating to not get the results you want.
Yeah I’ll keep plugging at it, thanks! Great tips!
@@AgateDad There are a lot of great tips here! Inspired and might get my tumbler back out.
My wife found me my first Agate their. It’s kinda a staple. When we come up
Nice!
I have the same issues with I'd say like 5-10% of the rocks I tumble. I think I'm going to retumble them to like the last stage before the polish and use the mineral oil to give them the best possible shine like you had done before
Some of the rocks just have pits as you remove the pits on top you just open the pits, cracks from under, the teaspoon of Borex in the barrel will help but some of the time the tumbling it self is to agrassive my tumbler will let me tip the drum so it's softer on the stones. After each grit you need to grade the stones for hardness after each run you will have some hard some med. and some soft stones. Try to keep the hardness of each batch the same. The harder the stone the better shine and a teaspoon of Borex in the last round for a day or so is a good thing................. best of all.................. Be well and be safe.....................
Thanks!
You need to tumble them, take out the sediment then use only water, and tumble until the water is clear, then go on to the next level of grit. You're getting leftover residue.
Looks like that magnetic jasper has some hematite in it.
Isn’t hematite an iron formation?
@@AgateDad yes sir, hematite is a crystalline form of iron oxide and can also be magnetic. It can be blood red to black.
Almost at 20k
So close 🤯
Your “OK” rocks looked like the pitting was already present. Back to Stage One?
Been waiting for this video
You rock man!
Did you abandon tumbling rocks? I looked for additional video posts to follow your journey, but there isn't any. Perhaps the process is too long?
It's really hard to say what the problem may be because there can be so many small mistakes but I can say that most of the jasper you showed looked like they needed to tumble longer and the first ones you showed look like the media you used was to hard maybe try hard plastic tumble media there are a number of good ones out there that is easier on the softer inclusions in your stones and finely all I can say is there is nothing better than experience keep at it and soon people will be asking you how you got them looking so nice good luck and best wishes to you.
Did you use a vibratory tumbler for the finish?
My kiddo wants to spend most of my money in Canal park tomorrow. Need to stop at split rock.
I'd try throwing those back in at stage 2 or 3 just to see of those pits come out
I’m trying to get enough agates and nice looking rocks to put in my aquarium
did you burnish your stones?
Yes
i find that vibratory tumbler does a better job and is faster after stage one , you can also do a dry polish 4th stage with the vibratory using corn cob and 1 tblsp of alum oxide polish 1000 grit or higher per 1 lb corn cob. Use ceramics , plastic will hold grit from previous tumbles but ceramics can be washed off.
I use stage specific spacers so there’s no cross contamination
I think that was a Mary "Helen" Jasper. Although Ellen is prettier than her sister, Helen is more popular with the teen-age boys because she is "easier" to find.
Lol
Is that Iron banding, or Hematite?
Isn’t hematite an iron formation?
@@AgateDad actually no, it isn't. You're right. That is some really bright iron banding.
Tumble more weeks on the courser grits until you get it the way you want
أحجار ألوانها جميلة جدا
Thank you!
You cannot help inclusions that are under the layers. Sometimes they make the rock look cool though. Personal choice. As for the dullness on some what I have found is if I have some that have the inclusions when they get exposed the material is rough and is in the polish so it does not shine all the way because of it. The only thing I found to do is clean the rocks completely and run through polish again.
It's hard to tumble pitted stone's of any kind.
talk to michican rocks. he does well with tumbling. he may be able to help you
Who’s that?
also talk to michael van dyke
@@AgateDad ruclips.net/user/MichiganRocks
I spelled it wrong
both are very good at tumbling
part of what you're running into is you are tumbling too large of pieces. 2nd situation... is you're not tumbling smaller pieces. they help with the tumbling. and I'll bet you're using a vibrating tumbler for anything but 1st stage. if that's the case ... you'll be having difficulty tumbling. something else to watch out for is the type of grit you're using. not all grit works the same
the reason I mentioned tumbling with smaller stones.... it was mentioned by another tumbler by the name of micheal vandyke.. he has pretty good success at tumbling in his vids
van dyke is part of the finders.. if you choose to look for him
you probably know this...but watch out if you're tumbling bought material. what some sell it as ....is not what you're buying
beautiful as is.....
Never said it wasn’t
"Mary Ellen Jasper is extremely rare" I wouldn't say extremely rare but finding jasper that isn't fractured or pitted is definitely rare, especially MEJ. The rough stones can seem promising, but you might find as I have, oftentimes it's too polluted in the matrix to to be worked to a flawless finish. Usually you'll know judging from the outside - not always but most of the time with jasper what you see on the outside is the same as what's inside, so if you have a lot of pits and fractures on the outside, it's likely that it's throughout much of the stone.
Comparing how many MEJ pieces I’ve found to agates, which are rare, and with all the talks I’ve had with people, makes it extremely rare in my opinion.
@@AgateDad it's not so much that it's rare, but in being in the right area to find it. I've search dozens of spots over the years, but there have been a few honey holes for the stuff. But just about every spot has some jasper up here on the Mesabi Range. If you ever decide to come up this way to hunt I'll make sure you don't go home empty-handed.
Yeah I guess for finding it where I’ve looked for it on the north shore, it would be how I’ve put it lol
@@AgateDad True! Out of half a dozen trips to the north shore, I've only managed to find a couple grape-sized MEJ pieces.
@@anthonyparson7135 yeah, I know some areas will have a denser quantity but as per North Shore beaches, it definitely is slim pickins lol