Hi All: While we are on the subject of tumbling, can anyone tell me
what media to use, and for how long, for tumbling small pieces of
garnet? I have a small, Lortone tumbler (with which I have been
very pleased ). I don’t want to used my mixed shape steel shot,
because I’m afraid that I’ll never be able to remove all the little
pieces of stone. Any help would be appreciated.
And, by the way, hopefully better late than never, thanks to
everyone who answered my questions about carving stones–my daughter
is well on her way to making some beautiful things. Sincerely Sandra
B
B, Don’t know how much garnet you have or the quality but here is
what you need to tumble them…in general.
Most lapidary suppliers have tumbling kits that have measured
amounts of either two or three grits plus polishing powder in them.
These usually are not too expensive, usually $15 to $20. Graves
lapidary - www.gravescompany.com as well as others have them.
Instructions are included and make it easy.
Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL wher simple
elegance IS fine jewelry!
Hi All: While we are on the subject of tumbling, can anyone tell
me what media to use, and for how long, for tumbling small pieces
of garnet? I have a small, Lortone tumbler (with which I have been
very pleased ). I don't want to used my mixed shape steel shot,
because I'm afraid that I'll never be able to remove all the
little pieces of stone. Any help would be appreciated.<<<
Hi Sandra, It’s a good thing you thought to ask about the use of
steel shot, before starting your tumbler! Given garnet’s tendency to
shatter into small, jagged shards, upon impact – hence, its use as
an abrasive – had you used it, you most likely would not have been
very pleased with the results. Instead, I’d suggest contacting Alpha
Faceting Supply in Bremerton, WA (Tel#: (800) 257-4211) and picking
up both a sack of their lucite tumbling pellets and one of the
Lortone pre-mixed tumbling charge kits. With these, I think you’ll
be able to reap the rewards you’re seeking, with a minimum of effort
or heartche.
Glad to help out, Doug Turet Douglas Turet, GJ Lapidary Artist,
Designer & Goldsmith Turet Design P.O. Box 162 Arlington, MA 02476
Tel.
(617) 325-5328 eFax (928) 222-0815 anotherbrightidea@hotmail.com
can anyone tell me what media to use, and for how long, for
tumbling small pieces of garnet?
Hi Sandra, I saw the responses from Don and Doug, and would like to
elaborate for a moment. The tumbling thread we’ve been on recently
(and from time to time) has been pertaining to finishing metal. The
key point is that while you can use the same tumblers to polish
stone, the materials used in tumbling stone are different than those
used for metal.
Rather than using media, like abrasive cones or steel shot, stone
tumbling uses increasingly finer levels of grit… powdered abrasive.
Sometimes people will put some sort of media (walnut shell, plastic
pellets) in with the grit and stone to provide some cushioning, but
its the grit that does the work.
With a rotary tumbler, the rule of thumb is one week for each level
of grit, coarse, fine, pre-polish and polish… so a batch of tumbled
stone takes about a month. Teaches patience… Rinse the barrel and
stones well between grits, and don’t use an aluminum colander (will
mark the stones). Also, don’t pour the grit slurry down your drain
unless you have a good relationship with your plumber! 
All the best,
Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio and
Carolina Artisans’ Gallery
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.CarolinaArtisans.com