Jesse, I have been watching your videos for a while on our TV, so I thought it best to finally subscribe, as I wanted to comment on this video from July 2021 on polishing Chalcedony & Boulder Opal. Your presentations are always fun spirited. Now being a gem facetor, I realize that I'm going to "rub" things the wrong way with some of your viewers. But I'm going to take issue with the process you showed to flatten and then to "polish" your stones. Oh, where do I start? First of all I know cabbers use Silicone Carbide a lot because it cuts fast and it's cheap. And for initial cutting and shaping, that will work fine. But when you want a killer polished face, you need to graduate to Aluminum Oxide (Alox), and Cerium Oxide (Ceox) for most rocks. When you get into Sapphires, then only Alox and Diamond will do. Silicone Carbide also works but is generally too aggressive due to the structure of the grains. Gemstones do not like to be bullied! They like, the fairer fillies amongst us, like to be carefully finessed. TIN oxide is an excellent an amendment to any final polishing slurry. Tin is very expensive, but it's pretty soft at about 5 mohs. It's good to add a bit to your final polish. It chemically reduces surface tension allowing the main polish to do a better job. Okay, that said, everything involved in polishing will lose ions during the process; your substrate (glass panel), the silicone carbide, and of course, the stone. So over the course of abrading the stone, the glass will also be cut, as it's only 6.5 mohs, while the Silicone Carbide is about 9 mohs. This means you won't be getting a true flat facet, when using the same space on the glass plate. In other words, it's wearing equally as fast as the stone. The grit however is reducing in size as you scuff it. Now that brings me to the reason for commenting. As you surface grind, all of the Swarf is getting mixed into the developing slurry. And it's not being washed away! When a facetor is polishing a stone, damaging swarf is rinsed away with the constant water drip and spinning lap. Hence, the very reason why your work isn't blindingly brilliant! Please refer to my following YT channel links. I'm not trying sell you anything, just educate. Thanks (LL-Cabber in use)
Seriously, Ceox and Alox should be your best friends when polishing your rocks. I could go on and on about the subject of polishing, as that has been my business for more years than I care to say. Everyone has their own pet ways of doing things, which is fine. So I hope I've awakened a desire to use a better way of making your gems make you go nearly blind with brilliance! My mantra is "Polishing IS Everything!"
Paddiman!!!! My friend I am so grateful for your comment and the knowledge that you’ve shared within it. You gave constuctive criticism in the best form possible. It was a compliment sandwich and man was it full of knowledge. Thank you. Thank you for the insight you’ve shared with not just me but anyone who’s reading the comments. I’ve pinned your comment because what you wrote was professional and super informative but also in such a kind way that you set a genuinely good hearted example for others who know better than I do, in how to help myself and other home lapidary’s. Thank you mate. You’ve convinced me to order some new grit. I’ve been working on a tumbling video this last few weeks that will be released soon but I just wanted to let you know that if you see that, and think I haven’t taken on board what you’ve shared it’s only because ive already filmed the first couple of stages and all I had was silicone carbide. Thank you for making the effort and taking the time to kindly teach myself and others who come across this video. I genuinely mean that mate. Thank you and god bless 😊
@@Rookie_Rockounding Jessie, What I like about your channel is the genuine happy feel every time I go with you video-wise, on your fossiking jaunts. Wish I could actually go with sometime, but we're half a world away mate! Now I wasn't totally dissing on Silicon Carbide, as it has it's place in initial rock processing. But I've done my share of tumbling, and flat-lapping of heavy chunks of rock, and Alox and Ceox are better choices along with a little Tin to get the job done. As a facetor, I cringe when I see how some do their rock polishing. Even saw some rocks which someone had coated with enamel spray or similar, just so they would shine! Arrrghhhh! Many of the rocks you get are really choice! Keep up the hunt! You are so lucky to have the knowledge and energy to go beating and wallowing through the bush! Am sure you're careful never to put your hands where you can't see them? There's plenty of places like that on this side of the pond. No reason to be cavalier. As old Mr. Snake or spider might take a chunk out of your hand! I noticed how you were having trouble with the sander grabbing the rocks and flinging them. You would do well to find or make a flat lap to hold your rocks against while they polish. There's plenty of cheap rigs out there. But you could build one. It needs to have a water tank, and "drip pan" of some sort to catch the watery slurry and drain it off. Those diamond pads are not very friendly due to the spaces in the laps. You need a more solid lap with a continuous working media. Those you have are best for polishing large granite countertops. It's what they were designed for. Since you are in the land of OZ, take a look at the site called, "GemCuts.com" to see what they have to offer. Brian, the owner has everything a stone/gem cutter of any persuasion will want to have.
THAT was the nicest constructive criticism I've seen on UA-cam! So many are quick to tell everything you're doing wrong without trying to help. Bravo! 👏
I'm not new to rockhounding, but am new to polishing my finds. Just subscribed to you both because 1. I feel I can learn from both of you and 2. wow, what a kind internet exchange - so rare these days! :) Anyways, this got me started on understanding how to get the most from my agate treasures!
The Ironston matrix in the Boulder Opal is amoung the worst mud bathing one will take, but the PayOff....YEAHHHH BABY!❤ Great Job, this is the ONLY way we used to polish in the way way back machines of the 70's!
Oh gosh I know right! I learnt it from the lapidary club where they would use it to get a better final polish on the back of the Cabs and for softer stones like Boulder it’s super good. Thanks heaps mate!
Yeah, I like this Michelle. It’s so true. One day I’d love to try and polish a stone how it was done in the times where Pharaoh’s were adorned by polished gems.
Wow! Talk about a flashback! When I was a kid I hung out at a rock shop 4 blocks from home. That's where I learned about using glass & grit. For the final finish we used heavy denim instead of leather. I'll have to try that. Another great video, Thanks for sharing... And as always... Good Luck, Have Fun, and Keep on Houndin'... Steve.
Ohhhhhh! That’s awesome mate! Yeah I saw it and I immediately thought, “okay I totally have to show people this!!!!!” Haha! Hope you’re having a rad week Steve and sorry for the late replies lately 🤦♂️ hope you’re keeping well mate!
I have to say... I am a newbie. I fell in love with rocks very young. But with the very rough childhood, if you'd even call it that, I lost it over the years. I finally came back to my love recently after seeing a finished boulder opal. All my good memories I had suppressed as a child came rushing back. So here I am. But anyways, my back story doesn't matter lol. I have to say I just watched a few of your videos of rock hunting and your reactions, and how you thank nature for finding great pieces is just amazing 👏. You seem so peaceful while you search and it's so calming. So I wanted to say thank you! 😊
I have to say a masssssssive THANK YOU to Pauly @paul the rockhound for giving me these pieces of Boulder Opal. Friends like him are few and far between. If you have any questions on how this method went or how to do it, please let me know. Until next video, mega much love guys n gals!
@Rookie Rockhounding, I have some of that opal.. I've purchased from a man who mined it. I have always wondered how to polish it. Definitely thanks to Paul the Rockhound. I understand why one would use the glass for this polish as the muddy that occurs when doing the yawa stone that is the matrix for boulder opal is a mess.
Hiya Raw Dowg, dude! What's up? I hope you're doing well today, Jesse scored some awesome looking opals right, I haven't seen you on Caleko's channel in awhile, anyway it's awesome to see you on here, I hope you have a awesome blessed day. Cya! 😺🐟out!
I've always been taught to sand in straight lines when wet sanding/polishing and to rotate your item 90 degrees between grits. That way you can see any scratches still in the surface more easily because they'll be perpendicular to your current sanding direction. With swirls, its much more difficult to see the scratches until you're closer to your finished polish. I've done this for painted and unpainted steel, stones, and plastic (headlight covers) and haven't had issues with scratches. This is the same way that automotive paint gets sanded. Also, scratches in a straight line will be less noticeable in the end as the viewing angle has to be in a specific orientation to see the light reflecting off of it. With a swirl scratch, you get infinitely more angles that the light will reflect off the scratch and back to the viewer.
You beat me to it. lol Had a shipping delay hold up my polish. I've still got a few good scenes in the can though. I'm doing a bit more of a tutorial for polishing slabs by hand. You've got some really good tips in your video. It's a bit of effort, but it's good to learn the old way of stone polishing. I think it helps to make you a more well rounded rock hound. It's also one of the skills that makes the step from rock hound to lapidary a bit easier. It's a skill akin to silver work with a blow pipe. I was taught by a group of old school bench jewelers that began working before the war. (I'm old) I think learning how to work from scratch has taught me so many lessons that I use in other parts of my life. The finish polish stage is what I'm waiting on supplies for. I think the tips I show might be helpful for you. I get a glass finish every time as if they came out of a tumbler.
Thank you for demonstrating this technique! I'm definitely going to try it. I mostly work with small rocks anyway so this is perfect! Wow, what a boulder opal! Electric!
Nothing better than waking up on a Friday morning with a Rookie Rockhound video. Jesse you are by far the most humble and kind gentleman on UA-cam. I've never heard of polishing rocks by hand and I can't wait to do this with my nephews. Thank you so much for posting each week and putting a smile on my face. 🙏😁☮️💙💪🔥💎
Oh man Mike you are honestly the kindest in your comments. I know you’re a good man, so thank you so much, as it’s even more of a compliment coming from you. I reckon your nephews will love this! All the best mate and again, thank you for spreading kindness everytime!!!!
It's an interesting technique! Thanks for sharing your experience. That third piece of boulder opal...it had the full spectrum of color! Awesome to see your smiling face! This was a needed cheer-up at the end of a very long week. ❤❤
Rookie Rockhounding; soft-spoken & intelligent as always, thank you so much for this video, you demonstrated objectively telling us the time it took for each stage and so very informative giving the watcher what to expect if they try it themselves, subjective videos only leave the person worried that the process would take days if not months, so they do not attempt the process themselves.
This is cool! I found a waterline agate Monday 7/5/21 just looking at the rock bed alongside a sidewalk. I have looked for rocks in that area every time I have been up there and never saw it before. I almost walked by it again but the morning sun caught it just right and it caught my attention so I picked it up. It's a good size one too. Now I can use this method to try my hand at polishing it up! I like the lightening opal a lot. It has lots of sparklies and I LOVE sparklies! Thank you, Mr. Rookie.
Oh no way Roxanna! That is awesome! I love those kinds of finds, it’s like the rocks sometimes choose us to find them at just the right time 😉✨ much love from down under!
Rock beds are my favorite place to find stones! While I'm waiting outside my daughter's school at pick-up, I end up taking at least 1 back home with me. I used to go early on purpose somi could actually look and find several but I feel like the other parents probably think I'm crazy loading my hoodie down with rocks until it sags in the front and they're click-clacking around with each step lol This video is definitely giving me some inspiration, I had no idea you could do it by hand and thought I'd need a Dremel at the very least. I live on the Kentucky/Indiana border and find some awesome stuff in rock beds going unnoticed by everyone else!. Small fossils, especially crinoid and horn coral, a few broken and intact geodes, chalcedony and rhyolite, tons of chert and quartz Lived outside Denver 2yrs ago and they definitely had better rocks, imho. My house had a massive amount of decorative rock. I found such variety of beautiful rocks and fossils there which spurred my obsession and lead me to this channel. I found it easy to relate to you because you admit you're not an expert and are still learning. Your eagerness to gain and share knowledge with other newbies is amazing. I can feel your excitement when you find a good rock or finally see inside after cutting, it's so wholesome and genuine. Thank you so much for the inspiration, information, and helping me feel a little less like the weird mom with a pocket full of rocks and more like part of a community of awesome, like-minded folks. 🤗🌋🏞️🕵️💎b p.s. f you're interested in KY geodes, I'd be happy to send a few your way. Visiting the mammoth cave area soon, locals hunt and make a little money selling them and love supporting that and picking up some nice geodes to break open with the kids. It'd be cool to see you crack/cut into one and see what's inside!
I’m so excited! I’ve always wanted a tumbler and have so many crystals that I’m just waiting for the day to get a good tumbler and now I know I don’t actually need it for a lot of them! Great info and video! Thank you!
Ah yes! So funny story, I finished filming this video last weekend and went to play chess with the French-Man (Benny) and he said “man cerium would work better… I have some if you’d like to try it…” haha! Next time I recon I’m gonna need to try that for a deeper polish. Much love mates!
@@Rookie_Rockounding Cerium is very expensive, that's why I keep repeating the fact that it can be used forever and never degrades, leather and felt pads once loaded and kept uncontaminated can be reused to infinity and beyond, the felt will take more before it's loaded, you must have plenty in the felt or you are just wearing away the felt. Leather takes less and produces a really good shine but I.m.o. Felt gives a better finish. Both clean felt and leather are good for buffing up finished rocks after dusting. There is a labour saving device, all you need is a fine dusting mop and some dog treats, fix the mop onto the muts tail and feed it treats, sorted, automatic polisher.
Oh this is a great video on how to do stones by hand! I'd never have thought of it 🙄 It would be a good technique to try on smaller stones that could be damaged or to work on a specific area you want to polish. Thank you for sharing and showing your results on those beautiful stones!
That was an absolute blast watching the process Jesse, the piece at the end is the most beautiful little piece I think I've ever had the privilege to see . Thanks 👍for taking us along for the ride .
Wow..I'm just so glad that this popped in my feed. You're a very kind man, and I love how sweet you were to your dog 🎉. I am definitely going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talents and creativity from Charlotte NC USA 🇺🇸.
That is way cool. I do have a flat lap now but still think thats cool. Thanks for teaching me something new. That bolder opal is amazing. I would sit and stare at that for hours. Thanks for sharing.
Oh yeah absolutely stick with the flat lap haha! This was more a back to basics for anyone without tools. I soooooo want a flat lap! I want every machine ever hahaha😝🤪 take care Donna!
I got mine from hi tech diamond used a code to get a discount though Agate Dad. Not a bad price either. They have great tools. I want the rock saw they sell as well. That will be my next purchase. Gotta save up for it.
That boulder opal is fantastic! This is how I did all my polishing in the beginning! All my stuff is hard enough that I cut it to shape, polish to 600 on my wheels then do a finish polish in the tumbler. For some reason anything over 600 grit on my machine just leaves a weird satin star pattern in the polish.
Reminds me of that opal Paul polished up a while back and looked just like a dragon egg hatching an opal dragon. 😍😍😍 Hope to see more from him. You should also call that your "Blue Lightning" opal. 👍
Yes yes! That’s from the same batch. He bought the jar for super cheap and there’s a lot of really pretty stuff in there. Cheers mate. Sorry for the late reply 👍👍👍
Holy crap dude. What an awesome video. I had never seen this method before. Learn something new everyday. That last piece of opal. Amaaaaaazing. Got Rasta colors at one end, blues and purples coming off of that. So much amazingness in one little piece. Thanks for sharing brother!
I have the grits, I might try this. Certainly build up some muscle if nothing else.That Boulder is beautiful. I'm an opal freak. TFS and feel better. xo 💖🦅🦅
I was just looking at ways to polish some of my rocks! This looks like a great way to do it. I was thinking of a vibra lap, I'm hoping a secondhand one comes up soon. Great video!!
Thank you for this video. Hand polishing is definately a longer way to polish but i personally find it relaxing and satisfying. Beautiful stones and i agree that last opal is the most beautiful you polished.
That was super cool! I've seen people do that with sand paper but not glass and grit. That Boulder opal at the end was mind blowing dude!!! Holy cow!! Amazing vid as always my friend. Stay safe!
The finish of some minerals is really important if you want all of that natural beauty on show. But it's often the budget that dictated the finish, tin oxide is very soft so won't give that deep shine, aluminium oxide is much better than tin oxide, priced roughly similar and gives a deeper shine, Cerium oxide is by far the best but also the most expensive, however the larger quantity you purchase the cheaper it is, never buy the small packs. The good thing about Cerium oxide is it never degrades, it can be used over and over again, so really it is the best value for money despite it's high cost.
Love the opals, have been thinking about buying a beginner package from Black Opal Direct and this looks like the perfect way of trying my hand at polishing them. Thanks 😊
Wait! Leslie!!!!!!!! I just realised your name! Okay so I have been meaning to email you! I got the package back safe and sound and I’ll be sending it this week. I’ll email you and make sure I’ve got the address right this time and also send you a tracking order so you can follow its progress. So sorry for the mix up and I know you’ll be able to do this method of polishing because your patience is impeccable given how long you’ve had to wait! I will talk very soon! I’ve just been terrible at time management. Or even just managing my self… 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
@@Rookie_Rockounding It's all good, it just means I have something to look forward to. I hurt my knee about 4.5 yrs ago (my good knee of course) and have learned how to be even more patient. I don't let little or even medium things get to me, life can change in a second so be happy while you are here 🙂😉🥰
Awesome job my friend lol I like your glasses for a close look just like mine first time you did awesome wow real eye catchers on colours all by hand wow ( meminer) uses ivory bar soap at the very end and it keeps the wet look to the polished rocks blew me away how it works I don’t know if I could sit long enough for that lol awesome job my friend thank you
Nice hand polishing mate, turned out really nice. If you get a chance to polish more boulder on a polishing wheel, use 50000/100000 diamond spray on leather, it polishes the ironstone and opal amazing.
Hiya Jessie, well done 👏 That's how I started doing stones, I would work on them until my fingers would cramp up, and we didn't have the internet to order off of, it was word of mouth 😑, but you could order out of a catalog. I was just a kid then, and boy have times changed. That jewlry's loupe is the ticket though, I carry a hand held in my pocket, that's what I had told you about getting one a long time ago. It's all good 👍, awesome video mate, it's really going to help someone that wants to get started. 😀 awesome video for helping others. You da man! Beautiful stones 😍. I hope you have a awesome blessed day mate. Cheers! Cya! 😺🐟out!
Oh wow mate! Yeah I remember those days, I wasn’t into hounding back then but when I first started I tried for hours woth sand paper and I think I just never understood the fundamentals of polishing. It was nice to try this method out and man! Yes! You did tell me about the jewellers loops! They’re so helpful hey. Especially at the lap club! Thank you mate! Thanks for always coming along!
@@Rookie_Rockounding ya mate, I have used sandpaper too, I've been collecting rocks for a long time, I've tried lots of things to polish up them rocks....... lol but for real, I have way better tools than I had back then and you learn things, a loupe no matter how you spell it, you can see into the stone before you do anything else to it, you can check for cracks, and you can see opalized Petrified fossilized, all kinds of stuff that you can't see with your eyes 😉, shoot now I use microscopes, loupe's that you can carry inside your pocket, and for less than 25 bucks you can have them ordered and delivered to you almost anywhere in the world 😉, I fell in love with opals a very long time ago, and it was from looking through a loupe. Hey I love rocks, I love watching other people find rocks and working on rocks, and yes I'm a rockahalic, 😁 soo here's looking at big and small things into rocks, O hey...... I'm addicted to rock porn too, just don't tell anyone. 😁 you have a awesome blessed weekend mate.
Wow! I feel blessed finding this video. Thank you for this. I was using the sandpaper method and became discouraged because it was taking so long to see results and a lot of sandpaper. After seeing that beautiful opal I can't wait to try this.
Heck, YES! That’s awesome man! I will too to be honest, It was nice to get back to basics but the polisher is so much more effective. This is more if people don’t have the tools and want to try out hand polishing 😉🤘
Oh my gosh that last opal!😱 all of them were awesome but that one is extra special😁 that color is insane! Dude awesome video! I love videos like this; i think a lot of hounds are reluctant to get into polishing because there is a great deal of equipment that can go along with it but you REALLY dont need some expensive setup to polish your rocks, just patience and determination in equal parts!😄 that agate was so cool! It amazes me how similar they look to the ones we have😄 great video brother! Get ahold of me when you get a chance dude😁
Cheeeeeeeers Theo brother! Yeah man it was a fun exercise in back to basics polishing and I can say I really appreciate my tools more haha! Talk soon man!
@@Rookie_Rockounding right!?😂 going back to basics really makes you cherish your tools even more🤣 i tried carving some wood a while back with hand tools i eventual just threw in the towel and grabbed my dremel; sooo much faster😂 dude! The...."thing" should be there any day! Probably today or tomorrow😁
Thanks for posting this! I heard that you would be able to polish by hand using sandpaper I tried it and it was a disaster now that I have seen your video I will get a piece of glass and try it again. You made it look so easy
Ayyyyyyyye! Thank you Nate! Man it’s pretty sweet how quick it can take. Machines work better but it’s still a good way to zen out also. Hope you’re keeping well my brother!
Nice some patience for the results it take some time in my case I cut and shape the stones with a emery grinder, prepolish with a 60 or 80 grit disc and all the rest with sand paper Very intructive video bro love it.
Hey there Rookie! let me just say first off, that I've really enjoyed watching the journey you've been on in the history of your channel, I've been a fan for a good long time! Its awesome to see people getting excited about rock hounding and lapidary work, and I believe people like YOU are part of the reason the joy of discovery and the love of rocks still lives on. So thank you for sharing! I do have a suggestion/ experiment for you to try, with regards to your opal, its a much softer stone, so next time skip 80grt all together, and start on 240grt. This may take a bit longer over all, but I believe you'd be happy with the result. Doing this will eliminate deeper scratches and will yield and over all nicer finished stone. In any case, thanks for all your hard work making enjoyable content! With Warm Regards... Your fellow Rockhound across the pond! Morgan -
Thank you so much for your help and suggestion Morgan and for coming along with us for the last few years. Your comment is a blessing to read mate. I really appreciate it my friend! Stay well and happy rock times until the next one buddy 👍👍
Enjoyed this, you seem like you're such a calm soul to know. You are the only person I have seen recommend using a figure 8 during lapping! I have told countless people to do this. During my working years we used the figure 8 for lapping face seals in pumps, it the only way to get an even profile when doing this by hand. I would like to add one more step though to the figure 8, rotate your piece 1/4 turn every so often during the figure 8. Thanks for a great video..Cheers, peace and prayers....
Thanks for this. I live in west tx in the US and have so many beautiful agates and finally got the courage to try my vibratory tumbler hand me down yesterday ...and it doesn't work 😢 this was so neat to watch you scienceing over there with your rock children 😅thank you! Gonna try one now.
I don't know what tools you have. But, I use a wet tile saw to shape my rocks. Then I put them in the tumbler. I leave them in the tumbler for 3-4 weeks. That is the hardest grit. They come out super smooth.
Can't believe I've never seen this or thought of this before. I think the results are pretty decent! I'm definitely gonna give it a try on some jasper, pet wood and thunder eggs. I loved this video. Was very informative. And oh man, that last one was GORGEOUS 🤩. Pauly is a great friend and stand up guy, real cool of him to give ya some bolder opal. Take care, Jesse! Rock on 🤘
@@Rookie_Rockounding I'm doing well. Thanks for asking and thank you kindly for taking the time to reply. I hope you and yours are doing well also. Patiently waiting for the next video! Also, I tried out the grit on glass on a thunder egg a friend gave me and it turned out pretty good. Thanks for sharing that with everyone! Cheers bud! 😁🤘
Hey buddy!😄 i wasnt sure the best way to get ahold of you so i figured a youtube notification would probably work🤣send me a message when you get a chance my friend!
Thanks for the ever so awesome post my friend! Excellent video, super well done with great informative content and amazing editing, you did a great job sir!!!👍 Oh and I only use the double set jewelers goggles when cabbing but they are really cool especially if you work in a room without the best lighting when you turn on the little spotlight on top.🤔 The boulder opal looked really pretty IMO and I think you did a great job of polishing up those little guys~ Thank again for sharing your adventures my friend, hope you have a super weekend ahead!!!
Thank you Shaughn my good sir! I really appreciate the appreciation man. It was good to get back to basics and hopefully help beginners try a different way. Will talk soon dude and just wishing you a majestic couple weeks ahead. You are a good friend Shaughn! Thank you for the email too. It really helped. I’ll be getting back to you soon my brother 👊👊👊
@@Rookie_Rockounding Ah Brother, you really did a great job...IMO your video game has just gotten so refined and clean and am thankful to have your channel as a super relaxing safe haven to just sit back and chill along with good people who love beautiful mother earths little treasures and who take the time to stop, look and appreciate them.✔ it's an honor to know you my friend, even if from across an ocean. Happy to hear that anything I may have said helps even a little bit and look forward to catching up again soon.👍 Been a busy summer of hunting for me with mixed results so far but im eternally hopeful that just around the next bend is something really beautiful that will make me smile. Thanks again for sharing your adventures with us nerdy rock starved UA-camrs, its just a special treat for me at least!!! Have an awesome rest of your weekend~
G’day man! Sorry for the late replies lately. I’ve been all over the place busy and stuff. Thanks heaps for the kind words dude. Really appreciate it brother. 🍻🍻🍻🍻
Stone Lovers Unite! 👊 If you want an easier way, check out the power tool polishing videos. It’s easier for the harder rocks but both methods seriously are relaxing to do. Keep practicing and I swear, every rock you polish, be proud of! (Even the ones you don’t, they might have turned to sand if you hadn’t found a love for them 😊)
In my neck of the woods (WA state, USA) we call this type of chalcedony "cornflake chalcedony" or "cornflake carnelian" and I believe the pattern is caused by healed fractures created during heat exposure after formation
Jesse, I have been watching your videos for a while on our TV, so I thought it best to finally subscribe, as I wanted to comment on this video from July 2021 on polishing Chalcedony & Boulder Opal. Your presentations are always fun spirited. Now being a gem facetor, I realize that I'm going to "rub" things the wrong way with some of your viewers. But I'm going to take issue with the process you showed to flatten and then to "polish" your stones.
Oh, where do I start? First of all I know cabbers use Silicone Carbide a lot because it cuts fast and it's cheap. And for initial cutting and shaping, that will work fine. But when you want a killer polished face, you need to graduate to Aluminum Oxide (Alox), and Cerium Oxide (Ceox) for most rocks. When you get into Sapphires, then only Alox and Diamond will do. Silicone Carbide also works but is generally too aggressive due to the structure of the grains. Gemstones do not like to be bullied! They like, the fairer fillies amongst us, like to be carefully finessed. TIN oxide is an excellent an amendment to any final polishing slurry. Tin is very expensive, but it's pretty soft at about 5 mohs. It's good to add a bit to your final polish. It chemically reduces surface tension allowing the main polish to do a better job.
Okay, that said, everything involved in polishing will lose ions during the process; your substrate (glass panel), the silicone carbide, and of course, the stone. So over the course of abrading the stone, the glass will also be cut, as it's only 6.5 mohs, while the Silicone Carbide is about 9 mohs. This means you won't be getting a true flat facet, when using the same space on the glass plate. In other words, it's wearing equally as fast as the stone. The grit however is reducing in size as you scuff it.
Now that brings me to the reason for commenting. As you surface grind, all of the Swarf is getting mixed into the developing slurry. And it's not being washed away! When a facetor is polishing a stone, damaging swarf is rinsed away with the constant water drip and spinning lap. Hence, the very reason why your work isn't blindingly brilliant! Please refer to my following YT channel links. I'm not trying sell you anything, just educate. Thanks (LL-Cabber in use)
Seriously, Ceox and Alox should be your best friends when polishing your rocks. I could go on and on about the subject of polishing, as that has been my business for more years than I care to say.
Everyone has their own pet ways of doing things, which is fine. So I hope I've awakened a desire to use a better way of making your gems make you go nearly blind with brilliance! My mantra is "Polishing IS Everything!"
Paddiman!!!!
My friend I am so grateful for your comment and the knowledge that you’ve shared within it. You gave constuctive criticism in the best form possible. It was a compliment sandwich and man was it full of knowledge.
Thank you. Thank you for the insight you’ve shared with not just me but anyone who’s reading the comments. I’ve pinned your comment because what you wrote was professional and super informative but also in such a kind way that you set a genuinely good hearted example for others who know better than I do, in how to help myself and other home lapidary’s. Thank you mate.
You’ve convinced me to order some new grit. I’ve been working on a tumbling video this last few weeks that will be released soon but I just wanted to let you know that if you see that, and think I haven’t taken on board what you’ve shared it’s only because ive already filmed the first couple of stages and all I had was silicone carbide.
Thank you for making the effort and taking the time to kindly teach myself and others who come across this video. I genuinely mean that mate.
Thank you and god bless 😊
@@Rookie_Rockounding Jessie, What I like about your channel is the genuine happy feel every time I go with you video-wise, on your fossiking jaunts. Wish I could actually go with sometime, but we're half a world away mate!
Now I wasn't totally dissing on Silicon Carbide, as it has it's place in initial rock processing. But I've done my share of tumbling, and flat-lapping of heavy chunks of rock, and Alox and Ceox are better choices along with a little Tin to get the job done.
As a facetor, I cringe when I see how some do their rock polishing. Even saw some rocks which someone had coated with enamel spray or similar, just so they would shine! Arrrghhhh!
Many of the rocks you get are really choice! Keep up the hunt! You are so lucky to have the knowledge and energy to go beating and wallowing through the bush! Am sure you're careful never to put your hands where you can't see them? There's plenty of places like that on this side of the pond. No reason to be cavalier. As old Mr. Snake or spider might take a chunk out of your hand!
I noticed how you were having trouble with the sander grabbing the rocks and flinging them. You would do well to find or make a flat lap to hold your rocks against while they polish. There's plenty of cheap rigs out there. But you could build one. It needs to have a water tank, and "drip pan" of some sort to catch the watery slurry and drain it off. Those diamond pads are not very friendly due to the spaces in the laps. You need a more solid lap with a continuous working media. Those you have are best for polishing large granite countertops. It's what they were designed for. Since you are in the land of OZ, take a look at the site called, "GemCuts.com" to see what they have to offer. Brian, the owner has everything a stone/gem cutter of any persuasion will want to have.
THAT was the nicest constructive criticism I've seen on UA-cam! So many are quick to tell everything you're doing wrong without trying to help. Bravo! 👏
I'm not new to rockhounding, but am new to polishing my finds. Just subscribed to you both because 1. I feel I can learn from both of you and 2. wow, what a kind internet exchange - so rare these days! :) Anyways, this got me started on understanding how to get the most from my agate treasures!
The last stone was a treat, so pretty.
This is really good, a very assessable way for people to dip their toes in into the world of polishing.
Yeah thanks dude, a bit of a back to basics vid. I really did get a greater appreciation for the various tools we use hey. Cheers mate!
The Ironston matrix in the Boulder Opal is amoung the worst mud bathing one will take, but the PayOff....YEAHHHH BABY!❤
Great Job, this is the ONLY way we used to polish in the way way back machines of the 70's!
Oh gosh I know right! I learnt it from the lapidary club where they would use it to get a better final polish on the back of the Cabs and for softer stones like Boulder it’s super good.
Thanks heaps mate!
Once upon a time the world didnt have electricity..polished rocks and jewellery existed. Its good for people to know how these things were done.
Yeah, I like this Michelle. It’s so true. One day I’d love to try and polish a stone how it was done in the times where Pharaoh’s were adorned by polished gems.
@@Rookie_Rockounding do you mind me asking how that was done?
@@axelgranzini6797sand was used as an abrasive desert sand is much finer than beach sand
😂🎉
Wow! Talk about a flashback! When I was a kid I hung out at a rock shop 4 blocks from home. That's where I learned about using glass & grit. For the final finish we used heavy denim instead of leather. I'll have to try that.
Another great video, Thanks for sharing...
And as always...
Good Luck, Have Fun, and Keep on Houndin'...
Steve.
Ohhhhhh! That’s awesome mate! Yeah I saw it and I immediately thought, “okay I totally have to show people this!!!!!” Haha!
Hope you’re having a rad week Steve and sorry for the late replies lately 🤦♂️ hope you’re keeping well mate!
I have to say... I am a newbie. I fell in love with rocks very young. But with the very rough childhood, if you'd even call it that, I lost it over the years. I finally came back to my love recently after seeing a finished boulder opal. All my good memories I had suppressed as a child came rushing back. So here I am. But anyways, my back story doesn't matter lol. I have to say I just watched a few of your videos of rock hunting and your reactions, and how you thank nature for finding great pieces is just amazing 👏. You seem so peaceful while you search and it's so calming. So I wanted to say thank you! 😊
I have to say a masssssssive THANK YOU to Pauly @paul the rockhound for giving me these pieces of Boulder Opal. Friends like him are few and far between.
If you have any questions on how this method went or how to do it, please let me know. Until next video, mega much love guys n gals!
@Rookie Rockhounding, I have some of that opal.. I've purchased from a man who mined it. I have always wondered how to polish it.
Definitely thanks to Paul the Rockhound.
I understand why one would use the glass for this polish as the muddy that occurs when doing the yawa stone that is the matrix for boulder opal is a mess.
I've been wanting to get my hands on some boulder opals...
That last one you did...😳🤯😍
That boulder opal is very sweet. Pure eye candy. Loving it loving it.
Aye thank you Jas brother! Hope you’re doin well mate! Have a rad week ahead bud 👊
Hiya Raw Dowg, dude! What's up? I hope you're doing well today, Jesse scored some awesome looking opals right, I haven't seen you on Caleko's channel in awhile, anyway it's awesome to see you on here, I hope you have a awesome blessed day. Cya! 😺🐟out!
I've always been taught to sand in straight lines when wet sanding/polishing and to rotate your item 90 degrees between grits. That way you can see any scratches still in the surface more easily because they'll be perpendicular to your current sanding direction. With swirls, its much more difficult to see the scratches until you're closer to your finished polish. I've done this for painted and unpainted steel, stones, and plastic (headlight covers) and haven't had issues with scratches. This is the same way that automotive paint gets sanded. Also, scratches in a straight line will be less noticeable in the end as the viewing angle has to be in a specific orientation to see the light reflecting off of it. With a swirl scratch, you get infinitely more angles that the light will reflect off the scratch and back to the viewer.
I never even thought of the angles but that makes a tonne of sense. Super helpful mate, thank you!
So awesome to see alternative ways to polish stones rather than buying another machine. Those Boulder opals were beautiful! Blessings
I have and love boulder opals. Thankyou for the show.
Oh yeah Jim, they’re so pretty hey! Have a great week ahead mate!
Thank you, Jesse. Hope you feel better soon. What a trooper.
Cheers Mychael my mate! 👊
You beat me to it. lol Had a shipping delay hold up my polish. I've still got a few good scenes in the can though. I'm doing a bit more of a tutorial for polishing slabs by hand. You've got some really good tips in your video. It's a bit of effort, but it's good to learn the old way of stone polishing. I think it helps to make you a more well rounded rock hound. It's also one of the skills that makes the step from rock hound to lapidary a bit easier. It's a skill akin to silver work with a blow pipe. I was taught by a group of old school bench jewelers that began working before the war. (I'm old) I think learning how to work from scratch has taught me so many lessons that I use in other parts of my life. The finish polish stage is what I'm waiting on supplies for. I think the tips I show might be helpful for you. I get a glass finish every time as if they came out of a tumbler.
Oh man I still reckon people will love to see you do this including myself. Let me know when you post your video and I’ll be watching 👌👍👍👍
Thank you for demonstrating this technique! I'm definitely going to try it. I mostly work with small rocks anyway so this is perfect! Wow, what a boulder opal! Electric!
Nothing better than waking up on a Friday morning with a Rookie Rockhound video. Jesse you are by far the most humble and kind gentleman on UA-cam. I've never heard of polishing rocks by hand and I can't wait to do this with my nephews. Thank you so much for posting each week and putting a smile on my face. 🙏😁☮️💙💪🔥💎
Oh man Mike you are honestly the kindest in your comments. I know you’re a good man, so thank you so much, as it’s even more of a compliment coming from you. I reckon your nephews will love this! All the best mate and again, thank you for spreading kindness everytime!!!!
The Boulder opal was on fire 🔥! That is a beautiful stone! Thank you for the video!!
It's an interesting technique! Thanks for sharing your experience. That third piece of boulder opal...it had the full spectrum of color! Awesome to see your smiling face! This was a needed cheer-up at the end of a very long week. ❤❤
Ohhhhh I’m so glad you enjoyed it Dee! Always love sharing with you. Genuinely a pleasure my friend!
That last stone was absolutely beautiful ! I would love to have 1in my collection.
Rookie Rockhounding; soft-spoken & intelligent as always, thank you so much for this video, you demonstrated objectively telling us the time it took for each stage and so very informative giving the watcher what to expect if they try it themselves, subjective videos only leave the person worried that the process would take days if not months, so they do not attempt the process themselves.
Aw thank you so much for your kind words mate 😊
This is cool! I found a waterline agate Monday 7/5/21 just looking at the rock bed alongside a sidewalk. I have looked for rocks in that area every time I have been up there and never saw it before. I almost walked by it again but the morning sun caught it just right and it caught my attention so I picked it up. It's a good size one too. Now I can use this method to try my hand at polishing it up! I like the lightening opal a lot. It has lots of sparklies and I LOVE sparklies! Thank you, Mr. Rookie.
Oh no way Roxanna! That is awesome! I love those kinds of finds, it’s like the rocks sometimes choose us to find them at just the right time 😉✨ much love from down under!
Rock beds are my favorite place to find stones! While I'm waiting outside my daughter's school at pick-up, I end up taking at least 1 back home with me. I used to go early on purpose somi could actually look and find several but I feel like the other parents probably think I'm crazy loading my hoodie down with rocks until it sags in the front and they're click-clacking around with each step lol
This video is definitely giving me some inspiration, I had no idea you could do it by hand and thought I'd need a Dremel at the very least. I live on the Kentucky/Indiana border and find some awesome stuff in rock beds going unnoticed by everyone else!. Small fossils, especially crinoid and horn coral, a few broken and intact geodes, chalcedony and rhyolite, tons of chert and quartz
Lived outside Denver 2yrs ago and they definitely had better rocks, imho. My house had a massive amount of decorative rock. I found such variety of beautiful rocks and fossils there which spurred my obsession and lead me to this channel. I found it easy to relate to you because you admit you're not an expert and are still learning. Your eagerness to gain and share knowledge with other newbies is amazing. I can feel your excitement when you find a good rock or finally see inside after cutting, it's so wholesome and genuine. Thank you so much for the inspiration, information, and helping me feel a little less like the weird mom with a pocket full of rocks and more like part of a community of awesome, like-minded folks. 🤗🌋🏞️🕵️💎b
p.s. f you're interested in KY geodes, I'd be happy to send a few your way. Visiting the mammoth cave area soon, locals hunt and make a little money selling them and love supporting that and picking up some nice geodes to break open with the kids. It'd be cool to see you crack/cut into one and see what's inside!
Boulder opals are my all-time favorite. I have some, they can be quite spendy here in the USA. But well worth it. Going to try this method.✌&❤
Oh awesome! I reckon you’ll love trying this method. Some music in the headphones helps too 😁😉✨
I’m so excited! I’ve always wanted a tumbler and have so many crystals that I’m just waiting for the day to get a good tumbler and now I know I don’t actually need it for a lot of them! Great info and video! Thank you!
I'm going to have to give that a try, thanks for sharing! I wonder how much more shine cerium oxide will give it?
You will get a slightly better shine with cerium oxide but it will be a deeper shine, that's the difference between good and amazing.
Ah yes! So funny story, I finished filming this video last weekend and went to play chess with the French-Man (Benny) and he said “man cerium would work better… I have some if you’d like to try it…” haha! Next time I recon I’m gonna need to try that for a deeper polish. Much love mates!
@@Rookie_Rockounding
Cerium is very expensive, that's why I keep repeating the fact that it can be used forever and never degrades, leather and felt pads once loaded and kept uncontaminated can be reused to infinity and beyond, the felt will take more before it's loaded, you must have plenty in the felt or you are just wearing away the felt.
Leather takes less and produces a really good shine but I.m.o. Felt gives a better finish.
Both clean felt and leather are good for buffing up finished rocks after dusting.
There is a labour saving device, all you need is a fine dusting mop and some dog treats, fix the mop onto the muts tail and feed it treats, sorted, automatic polisher.
Oh this is a great video on how to do stones by hand! I'd never have thought of it 🙄 It would be a good technique to try on smaller stones that could be damaged or to work on a specific area you want to polish. Thank you for sharing and showing your results on those beautiful stones!
Thank you SareJen! I hope you’re keeping well and having a great week. 😁
That was an absolute blast watching the process Jesse, the piece at the end is the most beautiful little piece I think I've ever had the privilege to see . Thanks 👍for taking us along for the ride .
Oh Lloyd you know I’m always grateful for you coming along mate. The piece at the end is my best Boulder Opal yet. Thank you again my brother!
Great video thank you! That last rock was incredible. I just kept replaying it. Gorgeous!
This video is a godsend. I bought some agates that are cut and want to hand polish them. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Wow..I'm just so glad that this popped in my feed.
You're a very kind man, and I love how sweet you were to your dog 🎉.
I am definitely going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talents and creativity from Charlotte NC USA 🇺🇸.
Gorgeous! I can't believe how quick they went.
WOW that boulder opal is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!❤❤ it!! great job polishing it!!
Love the opal lightening!
That is way cool. I do have a flat lap now but still think thats cool. Thanks for teaching me something new. That bolder opal is amazing. I would sit and stare at that for hours. Thanks for sharing.
Oh yeah absolutely stick with the flat lap haha! This was more a back to basics for anyone without tools. I soooooo want a flat lap! I want every machine ever hahaha😝🤪 take care Donna!
I got mine from hi tech diamond used a code to get a discount though Agate Dad. Not a bad price either. They have great tools. I want the rock saw they sell as well. That will be my next purchase. Gotta save up for it.
Love the boulder opal!
That boulder opal is fantastic! This is how I did all my polishing in the beginning! All my stuff is hard enough that I cut it to shape, polish to 600 on my wheels then do a finish polish in the tumbler. For some reason anything over 600 grit on my machine just leaves a weird satin star pattern in the polish.
Some beautiful colours in those opals. Think I may have to buy a starter kit. Cheers Jesse.🍻
Cheers Karen!!!! 🍻🍻
Love the boulder opals!
I'm south of Boston, Ma. We have carnelian and various quartz on our beaches, you inspire me to look more closely! ❤
Wow, the Boulder Opals are so amazing! The information you have shared is very helpful, thank you.
The last one was superb. If only lightning came in rainbow colours
Oh my gosh could you imagine! It would be the best!!!!
Reminds me of that opal Paul polished up a while back and looked just like a dragon egg hatching an opal dragon. 😍😍😍 Hope to see more from him.
You should also call that your "Blue Lightning" opal. 👍
Yes yes! That’s from the same batch. He bought the jar for super cheap and there’s a lot of really pretty stuff in there. Cheers mate. Sorry for the late reply 👍👍👍
I should try this!
I learned something new today!
Thank you!
Also that last opal was 🔥🔥🔥⚡⚡
Cheers brother! 🤘
Holy crap dude. What an awesome video. I had never seen this method before. Learn something new everyday. That last piece of opal. Amaaaaaazing. Got Rasta colors at one end, blues and purples coming off of that. So much amazingness in one little piece. Thanks for sharing brother!
Those opals are amazing!
Gorgeous! I might try this out since all I got is time with my bum leg
Definitely, it’s a great way to pass the time. All the best and I hope the leg heals ASAP Tylor mate!
I have the grits, I might try this. Certainly build up some muscle if nothing else.That Boulder is beautiful. I'm an opal freak. TFS and feel better. xo 💖🦅🦅
Thank you icatz!!! 😊😊😊
I was just looking at ways to polish some of my rocks! This looks like a great way to do it. I was thinking of a vibra lap, I'm hoping a secondhand one comes up soon. Great video!!
Thank you for this video. Hand polishing is definately a longer way to polish but i personally find it relaxing and satisfying. Beautiful stones and i agree that last opal is the most beautiful you polished.
That was super cool! I've seen people do that with sand paper but not glass and grit. That Boulder opal at the end was mind blowing dude!!! Holy cow!! Amazing vid as always my friend. Stay safe!
Love the look of the boulder opal, cerium oxide will polish better than the tin oxide I have found.
Thanks mate, yeah a few people have mentioned this so I’m going to try it out. Thank you for your help my friend!
The finish of some minerals is really important if you want all of that natural beauty on show.
But it's often the budget that dictated the finish, tin oxide is very soft so won't give that deep shine, aluminium oxide is much better than tin oxide, priced roughly similar and gives a deeper shine, Cerium oxide is by far the best but also the most expensive, however the larger quantity you purchase the cheaper it is, never buy the small packs.
The good thing about Cerium oxide is it never degrades, it can be used over and over again, so really it is the best value for money despite it's high cost.
Every method I learn helps so thanks for the video. :)
Thanks Carl mate 👍👍👍
The quality of hand polishing allows more depth since the lustre is less brilliant. My favorites. Thanks for the demo and test.
The boulder opal is beautiful, colourful lightning bolts great description.
Looking great as always! Thanks for the effort you put into this so we can all enjoy it with you. Muchness of all the love !
Aye muchness of the love right back at y’a mate!
Love the opals, have been thinking about buying a beginner package from Black Opal Direct and this looks like the perfect way of trying my hand at polishing them. Thanks 😊
Oh yeah! Justin from BOD is a legend and I reckon this way could be really cool. Let me know how it goes if you do 👍👍👍
Wait! Leslie!!!!!!!! I just realised your name! Okay so I have been meaning to email you! I got the package back safe and sound and I’ll be sending it this week. I’ll email you and make sure I’ve got the address right this time and also send you a tracking order so you can follow its progress. So sorry for the mix up and I know you’ll be able to do this method of polishing because your patience is impeccable given how long you’ve had to wait! I will talk very soon! I’ve just been terrible at time management. Or even just managing my self… 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
@@Rookie_Rockounding It's all good, it just means I have something to look forward to. I hurt my knee about 4.5 yrs ago (my good knee of course) and have learned how to be even more patient. I don't let little or even medium things get to me, life can change in a second so be happy while you are here 🙂😉🥰
Awesome job my friend lol I like your glasses for a close look just like mine first time you did awesome wow real eye catchers on colours all by hand wow ( meminer) uses ivory bar soap at the very end and it keeps the wet look to the polished rocks blew me away how it works I don’t know if I could sit long enough for that lol awesome job my friend thank you
Haha yeah I reckon the key ingredient is patience. 🤣
And I love mr meMiner!
Beautiful bolder Opal ,my brith stone .
Nice hand polishing mate, turned out really nice. If you get a chance to polish more boulder on a polishing wheel, use 50000/100000 diamond spray on leather, it polishes the ironstone and opal amazing.
Hiya Jessie, well done 👏
That's how I started doing stones, I would work on them until my fingers would cramp up, and we didn't have the internet to order off of, it was word of mouth 😑, but you could order out of a catalog.
I was just a kid then, and boy have times changed. That jewlry's loupe is the ticket though, I carry a hand held in my pocket, that's what I had told you about getting one a long time ago. It's all good 👍, awesome video mate, it's really going to help someone that wants to get started. 😀 awesome video for helping others. You da man! Beautiful stones 😍.
I hope you have a awesome blessed day mate. Cheers! Cya!
😺🐟out!
Oh wow mate! Yeah I remember those days, I wasn’t into hounding back then but when I first started I tried for hours woth sand paper and I think I just never understood the fundamentals of polishing. It was nice to try this method out and man! Yes! You did tell me about the jewellers loops! They’re so helpful hey. Especially at the lap club! Thank you mate! Thanks for always coming along!
@@Rookie_Rockounding ya mate, I have used sandpaper too, I've been collecting rocks for a long time, I've tried lots of things to polish up them rocks....... lol but for real, I have way better tools than I had back then and you learn things, a loupe no matter how you spell it, you can see into the stone before you do anything else to it, you can check for cracks, and you can see opalized Petrified fossilized, all kinds of stuff that you can't see with your eyes 😉, shoot now I use microscopes, loupe's that you can carry inside your pocket, and for less than 25 bucks you can have them ordered and delivered to you almost anywhere in the world 😉, I fell in love with opals a very long time ago, and it was from looking through a loupe. Hey I love rocks, I love watching other people find rocks and working on rocks, and yes I'm a rockahalic, 😁 soo here's looking at big and small things into rocks, O hey...... I'm addicted to rock porn too, just don't tell anyone. 😁 you have a awesome blessed weekend mate.
I love opals, all kinds they're all beautiful and mesmerizing
What a cool idea! Thanks for sharing this method!
Love the opals 😍hand polishing not so much😩 I don’t have the patience to hand polish 😎
Hahaha! I totally understand mate! It takes some time 😬🤣
I used to do that. It's fun especially when doing it with amber it gives it a good polish.
Wow! I feel blessed finding this video. Thank you for this. I was using the sandpaper method and became discouraged because it was taking so long to see results and a lot of sandpaper. After seeing that beautiful opal I can't wait to try this.
Awesome… I’ll stick to me variable sander an pads…🤣🤣. Got that thing DOWN PAT now…..👍🏻
Heck, YES! That’s awesome man! I will too to be honest, It was nice to get back to basics but the polisher is so much more effective. This is more if people don’t have the tools and want to try out hand polishing 😉🤘
Oh my gosh that last opal!😱 all of them were awesome but that one is extra special😁 that color is insane! Dude awesome video! I love videos like this; i think a lot of hounds are reluctant to get into polishing because there is a great deal of equipment that can go along with it but you REALLY dont need some expensive setup to polish your rocks, just patience and determination in equal parts!😄 that agate was so cool! It amazes me how similar they look to the ones we have😄 great video brother! Get ahold of me when you get a chance dude😁
Cheeeeeeeers Theo brother! Yeah man it was a fun exercise in back to basics polishing and I can say I really appreciate my tools more haha! Talk soon man!
@@Rookie_Rockounding right!?😂 going back to basics really makes you cherish your tools even more🤣 i tried carving some wood a while back with hand tools i eventual just threw in the towel and grabbed my dremel; sooo much faster😂 dude! The...."thing" should be there any day! Probably today or tomorrow😁
Opal is truly the gem of of all gems
What a novel idea! Thanks so much for this demonstration! Looks like a great option for a matte finish.
glad your back
Oh no Larry, I haven’t gone anywhere, my videos may not have been notifying you. Sorry mate. 👍
@@Rookie_Rockounding thanks for the update i will look.
Awesome job my friend!!
Nice video!!
Thanks for posting this! I heard that you would be able to polish by hand using sandpaper I tried it and it was a disaster now that I have seen your video I will get a piece of glass and try it again. You made it look so easy
Wow the last one is stunning colours 🌈
I have a couple of really nice rocks that won't fit in the tumbler, This is Great news!!! Thank you!
That was AWESOME mate good material to start with nice job
Excellent!!! I don’t have any machines for this, so I’m happy to see this video!!! Your rocks are beautiful!
nice trick!! I appreciate this for sure ,literally going out to the shop after this to try, makes sense... very good low tech. thank you !!
Ayyyyyyyye! Thank you Nate! Man it’s pretty sweet how quick it can take. Machines work better but it’s still a good way to zen out also. Hope you’re keeping well my brother!
Beauties mate, one and all! 🥰
Thank you Lizzy 🥰
Love the Lighting Flashes! And the Chalcedony looked amazing!
Nice some patience for the results it take some time in my case I cut and shape the stones with a emery grinder, prepolish with a 60 or 80 grit disc and all the rest with sand paper
Very intructive video bro love it.
Hey man that’s awesome! I lovvvvvve hearing about how others polish their finds. That’s a great method 👌✨
i, like the colors of the boulder opal
Hey there Rookie!
let me just say first off, that I've really enjoyed watching the journey you've been on in the history of your channel, I've been a fan for a good long time!
Its awesome to see people getting excited about rock hounding and lapidary work, and I believe people like YOU are part of the reason the joy of discovery
and the love of rocks still lives on. So thank you for sharing!
I do have a suggestion/ experiment for you to try, with regards to your opal, its a much softer stone, so next time skip 80grt all together, and start on 240grt.
This may take a bit longer over all, but I believe you'd be happy with the result. Doing this will eliminate deeper scratches and will yield and over all nicer
finished stone.
In any case, thanks for all your hard work making enjoyable content!
With Warm Regards...
Your fellow Rockhound across the pond!
Morgan -
Thank you so much for your help and suggestion Morgan and for coming along with us for the last few years. Your comment is a blessing to read mate. I really appreciate it my friend! Stay well and happy rock times until the next one buddy 👍👍
Enjoyed this, you seem like you're such a calm soul to know. You are the only person I have seen recommend using a figure 8 during lapping! I have told countless people to do this. During my working years we used the figure 8 for lapping face seals in pumps, it the only way to get an even profile when doing this by hand. I would like to add one more step though to the figure 8, rotate your piece 1/4 turn every so often during the figure 8. Thanks for a great video..Cheers, peace and prayers....
Thanks for this. I live in west tx in the US and have so many beautiful agates and finally got the courage to try my vibratory tumbler hand me down yesterday
...and it doesn't work 😢 this was so neat to watch you scienceing over there with your rock children 😅thank you! Gonna try one now.
The lightning boulder opal is the most amazing pice I've seen when you rolled the lightning across that stone I felt t
Oh man thank you Joe, honestly it’s the best piece Of Boulder I’ve worked yet. So glad you loved it mate! Thanks for watching dude 👍👍👍
Super!.. hi rookie… have a good weekend ☮️
Heyyyyyy Yvonne! I hope you’re keeping well 😊✨
Never heard of this b4! Neat trick, I know I will be doing this in the future with rocks I just want a face on. Thanks Rookie!
Man dude that was amazing
I don't know what tools you have. But, I use a wet tile saw to shape my rocks. Then I put them in the tumbler. I leave them in the tumbler for 3-4 weeks. That is the hardest grit. They come out super smooth.
Can't believe I've never seen this or thought of this before. I think the results are pretty decent! I'm definitely gonna give it a try on some jasper, pet wood and thunder eggs. I loved this video. Was very informative. And oh man, that last one was GORGEOUS 🤩. Pauly is a great friend and stand up guy, real cool of him to give ya some bolder opal. Take care, Jesse! Rock on 🤘
Cheers fayde mate. Yeah Pauly is a genuine legend. Hope you’re keeping well brother!!!!
@@Rookie_Rockounding I'm doing well. Thanks for asking and thank you kindly for taking the time to reply. I hope you and yours are doing well also. Patiently waiting for the next video! Also, I tried out the grit on glass on a thunder egg a friend gave me and it turned out pretty good. Thanks for sharing that with everyone! Cheers bud! 😁🤘
Oh no way that’s awesome mate! It’s not the best way to polish but by hand I reckon it is. 👍
Hey buddy!😄 i wasnt sure the best way to get ahold of you so i figured a youtube notification would probably work🤣send me a message when you get a chance my friend!
So SaTiSfYiNg! Nice work, all done by hand. I really appreciate your method.
wow thats pretty good for a hand polish , the opal is sweet
Thanks for the ever so awesome post my friend! Excellent video, super well done with great informative content and amazing editing, you did a great job sir!!!👍 Oh and I only use the double set jewelers goggles when cabbing but they are really cool especially if you work in a room without the best lighting when you turn on the little spotlight on top.🤔 The boulder opal looked really pretty IMO and I think you did a great job of polishing up those little guys~ Thank again for sharing your adventures my friend, hope you have a super weekend ahead!!!
Thank you Shaughn my good sir! I really appreciate the appreciation man. It was good to get back to basics and hopefully help beginners try a different way.
Will talk soon dude and just wishing you a majestic couple weeks ahead. You are a good friend Shaughn! Thank you for the email too. It really helped. I’ll be getting back to you soon my brother 👊👊👊
@@Rookie_Rockounding Ah Brother, you really did a great job...IMO your video game has just gotten so refined and clean and am thankful to have your channel as a super relaxing safe haven to just sit back and chill along with good people who love beautiful mother earths little treasures and who take the time to stop, look and appreciate them.✔ it's an honor to know you my friend, even if from across an ocean. Happy to hear that anything I may have said helps even a little bit and look forward to catching up again soon.👍 Been a busy summer of hunting for me with mixed results so far but im eternally hopeful that just around the next bend is something really beautiful that will make me smile. Thanks again for sharing your adventures with us nerdy rock starved UA-camrs, its just a special treat for me at least!!! Have an awesome rest of your weekend~
Great news ! I can't wait to try. Thanks, I'm surprised to know it's possible !
I have never seen such a method for polishing but great job sir and keep up the content you do wonderful work on the vids🍻
G’day man! Sorry for the late replies lately. I’ve been all over the place busy and stuff. Thanks heaps for the kind words dude. Really appreciate it brother. 🍻🍻🍻🍻
I loved this video. It was worth the watch to see those beautiful lightening bolts. ❤Stone Lovers
Stone Lovers Unite! 👊
If you want an easier way, check out the power tool polishing videos. It’s easier for the harder rocks but both methods seriously are relaxing to do. Keep practicing and I swear, every rock you polish, be proud of! (Even the ones you don’t, they might have turned to sand if you hadn’t found a love for them 😊)
Great job. I find when I do things like that I have to be distracted, such as watching tv or listening to audiobooks.
Oh yeah, absolutely Jim, a other than filming I always listen to a good podcast and zone out. 👍😁
Hello! I dont know if you remember me but it’s been a lil while since I’ve watched you and the rocks are amazing!!
Oh c’mon Dakota I remember you for sure 🤪
Thanks for checking out the rocks. Good to see you again! I hope everything is going awesome for you 😁✨
enjoyed the vid Jess, my Mum an l are both suckers for boulder opal. lots a love, all the best from Canada 👊🍻
I would love to get some rocks like the last one! My favorite of all.
In my neck of the woods (WA state, USA) we call this type of chalcedony "cornflake chalcedony" or "cornflake carnelian" and I believe the pattern is caused by healed fractures created during heat exposure after formation