Tumble and Polish

Batch 41 features a total of 82 stones with quite a number of redo stones from various places (B27-28-29) but most of them are still originate from Gemstone Beach. They all needed several tumbling cycles in 80/100 grit on repeat! As redos, those stones have already had a tumble in 80/100grit as part of their original batch. Batch 41 also did two repeat tumble cycles in 80/100 grit. It’s been disappointing with other batches when the polish finish just isn’t that shiny. Getting those stones super smooth before going into that final polish mix tumble, I believe, is the key to a great, shiny polished finish.

There’s also a special, rather large, rock included at the beginning of the batch. It came from a new friend (also a keen rockhound) who’d collected this interesting rock from the outback in Australia. I was excited to see how this one would turn out and also a little nervous about wrecking it at the same time. Turns out that it was a little softer than I thought and I ended up removing it from the second 80/100 grit repeat as it showed quite a few dents. It did make it back into this batch to be polished and given back to the special person who gave it to me.

Batch 41: 4lb Tumbler 1

Batch Observations

At the end of the first 80/100grit tumble 31 stones out of the 82 needed a repeat tumble in 80/100grit. The rest (50) of the stones went into the holding box to wait for the 220grit stage. After the second tumble in 80/100grit a further 12 (including the Aussie outback stone) were taken out and placed in the redo holding box for yet another tumble at 80/100grit because they were still too rough to go through to 220grit stage.

At Stage 2 (220grit) the 50 stones placed in the holding box were added back into the barrel for tumbling. I also increased the borax to two tablespoons because it’s the 4lb barrel. (Reason behind adding borax to the grit tumbles can be read here). The Aussie outback rock may skip the 220grit stage due to its softness and go into a 400grit tumble (with cushioning pellets) to see if the dents can be tumbled out with finer grit.

There’s some really cool looking red jaspers that I’m keeping my eye on in this batch!

Batch 40 (26 stones) was added to Batch 41 for Stage 4. There’s an amazing little turquoise stone in Batch 41 that I’ve been keeping my eye on mainly because that colour is unusual. I’d really like to know what it is.

Polished Stones of Interest: Batch 41

Batch 41 | 4lb Tumbler 1 | Gemstone Beach | 21 November 2023 – 19 January 2024