A guide to finding, cutting, shaping and tumble polishing Dendritic Opalite (Common Opal) starting with rotary tumblers and finishing in a vibratory tumbler.
Weird coincidence; I just got my first dendritic opal yesterday. Today, this video pops up in my recommended. Crikey! Almost as if someone is spying on me. I didn't realize they came in so many different colors. I love it! Thank you!
Paul, informative video. I can almost feel the one-handed handling of the process (great job with camera). I just started to preshape some of my rocks. As you said, it really does save time and gives a better feel and look. BTY... don't forget to return the toothbrush 😅.
😆thanks John, yes, as far as I'm concerned pre-shaping is the only way to go 👍 My wife is writing a letter to Colgate to complain about their toothpaste being gritty 😉
I kinda do . . . I cut shapes on the tile saw, shape them on my home made slant cabber and tumble them to achieve a polish, I plan on doing a video of the process in the future 👍
They really do, that and the fact they use much less grit and polish make them a must have for any serious tumbler. One other advantage is they are more tolerant of mixed batches of rocks with varying hardness 👍
Hi Paul, my favourite Opalite were the white and black they looked like landscapes, question though can you use the vibratory tumbler for all stages or do you have to use the rotary on the first , then move to the vibratory ? That was a very informative video you have done, it gave me a lot of knowledge regarding tumbling. Thankyou Cheers Gordon
Hi Gordon, it's not recommended to do stage one in a vibratory tumbler, the sharp rocks along with the coarser grit wear down the plastic pretty quickly.
Hi Paul. I have the same issue with the black plastic. On my side it is clearly coming from the lid as I have noticed an increase in the bore. I will try making a cone wedge from rubber that can wedge in and expand when tightening the top nut. I wonder if these little plastic specs may have negative effect on polish time….maybe not so much on edges but more between two flat surfaces?
I'm not sure what difference it would make to polish time but the plastic pieces really ruined a lot of my Amazonite, at first I just thought it was the rocks themselves but I've since discovered it was the fine plastic pieces 🤔
You're in the best place in Australia as far buying tumblers and supplies goes, Aussie Sapphire are your best bet and they are right there in NSW, over here we have to pay a lot more due to delivery costs ☹
Weird coincidence; I just got my first dendritic opal yesterday. Today, this video pops up in my recommended. Crikey! Almost as if someone is spying on me.
I didn't realize they came in so many different colors. I love it! Thank you!
It would be one of my favourites, especially the translucent sections 👍
Hallo Poul. I get in a good mood watching your videos. Nice to see the process. Beautiful stones! Greetings Jane from Denmark
Thank you Jane, that is such a lovely thing to say, I really appreciate your support all the way from Denmark ☺
Beautiful and informative. Thanks. Cheers from East Coast, Canada.
Thank you, so glad you found this useful ☺
Beautiful mate. Love your videos man 😎
Thank you Charl, I appreciate the encouragement 👍
Paul, informative video. I can almost feel the one-handed handling of the process (great job with camera). I just started to preshape some of my rocks. As you said, it really does save time and gives a better feel and look. BTY... don't forget to return the toothbrush 😅.
😆thanks John, yes, as far as I'm concerned pre-shaping is the only way to go 👍
My wife is writing a letter to Colgate to complain about their toothpaste being gritty 😉
you are funny guy. 😀great job and great to see you
Thank you, I always appreciate positive comments 😀
I wish you cut and sold cabochons, those are beautiful!
I kinda do . . . I cut shapes on the tile saw, shape them on my home made slant cabber and tumble them to achieve a polish, I plan on doing a video of the process in the future 👍
That vibratory tumbler sure cuts the time down. I had no idea
They really do, that and the fact they use much less grit and polish make them a must have for any serious tumbler.
One other advantage is they are more tolerant of mixed batches of rocks with varying hardness 👍
Hi Paul, my favourite Opalite were the white and black they looked like landscapes, question though can you use the vibratory tumbler for all stages or do you have to use the rotary on the first , then move to the vibratory ? That was a very informative video you have done, it gave me a lot of knowledge regarding tumbling. Thankyou Cheers Gordon
Hi Gordon, it's not recommended to do stage one in a vibratory tumbler, the sharp rocks along with the coarser grit wear down the plastic pretty quickly.
oh and the black and white Opalite is my favourite too, a lot of the darker areas are translucent 👍
Hi Paul. I have the same issue with the black plastic. On my side it is clearly coming from the lid as I have noticed an increase in the bore. I will try making a cone wedge from rubber that can wedge in and expand when tightening the top nut. I wonder if these little plastic specs may have negative effect on polish time….maybe not so much on edges but more between two flat surfaces?
I'm not sure what difference it would make to polish time but the plastic pieces really ruined a lot of my Amazonite, at first I just thought it was the rocks themselves but I've since discovered it was the fine plastic pieces 🤔
Sorry Paul, but can you buy a UV10 tumbler in Australia ? If so who from ? Iam in NSW. Cheers Gordon.
You're in the best place in Australia as far buying tumblers and supplies goes, Aussie Sapphire are your best bet and they are right there in NSW, over here we have to pay a lot more due to delivery costs ☹
a lot of moss
Dendrite Overload :D