Learning to Polish Greenstone

Рет қаралды 20,570

2 жыл бұрын

A big thanks to Kyle Martin for giving me these incredible rocks. This is my first time polishing them, and I have a lot to learn. I hope that this video will be helpful for anyone else who is polishing them for the first time as you watch me struggle to understand the process.
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- KINGSLEY NORTH -
Kingsley North is a lapidary store in Michigan's U.P. They make a great cab machine and sell many other brands too. They have a huge selection rough rock, tumblers, grit, jewelry supplies etc. at good prices. I buy most of my coarse grit from here in 45 lb. bags. It's the best price I have found. If you buy using the following link, I make a small commission.
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This is the cabbing machine I use:
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I buy a lot of lapidary supplies from The Rock Shed. I don't make money from your purchases there, but they have good prices and good service. This is where I buy my finer grits and polish.
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Пікірлер: 274

@adventurecooper 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Rob! Thanks for the shout out! One more tip. When using the hard wheels listen for the change in sound when cutting. When you make the transition from cutting through the chlorite to the gem quality the tone will change to a higher pitch sound letting you know when to stop and check. Dont be afraid to grind in the thin edges to give it more of a cab look. Keep up the great work Rob!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Chris. I've been wondering about how to make a cab since they're hollow and/or filled with calcite inside. Do cabs have white backs?

@adventurecooper 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks most of the time when i make a cab you choose the best pattern side and try to hold as close to the shape as possible. Then you take the opposite side and just start to flatten it. If you happen to open up into a void use a 2 part epoxy and fill the void to make it stable. Once the epoxy hardens continue finishing the back. If set in jewelry no one pays attention to the back but always make sure if someone purchases it let them know that it's stablized. You can use a little black epoxy also to make it look better.

@davidhile5363 2 жыл бұрын

WOW ! Those are stunning. It’s no wonder it’s the state gem. Apparently there’s a rind on the outside and you have to grind through that and into the crystals below before you get the turtle pattern. I wonder if it might be better to grind a flat on the back side and attach a dop stick to make them easier to hold. Thanks for sharing !

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure. The problem with that is that they tend to be hollow. I have a lot to learn about these little guys.

@christinerobinson9372 2 жыл бұрын

I think the "bad" spot makes the stone more interesting. I like it.

@gwynnfarrell1856 2 жыл бұрын

Considering what I found on the internet when searching for chlorastrolite, I'd say you did a great job on those stones. I'm curious about the bands of chatoyancy and whether a polish could be put across them like one would polish catseye. It sure is a fascinating material. Thank you for giving us some new knowledge!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

The chatoyancy still shows on the faces that I polished. That's one of the things that makes this stuff so cool.

@TheWonderwy 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful gem stones. It takes a keen eye and delicate touch to polish these, I see. Thank you for sharing the journey of discovery to the beauty inside the stones.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I hope to get this figured out so I can make the most out of these.

@umich79 2 жыл бұрын

Love that turtle pattern! So interesting to watch your analysis & “testing” process. Lol the Astro reference!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I was a little unsure if I should release this video. Then I thought it might be nice for people to see that I'm not an expert on this stuff either. I'm pretty good at tumbling, but beyond that, I have a lot to learn.

@umich79 2 жыл бұрын

Which makes it very interesting. As a viewer, it feels like I’m discovering something new as well.

@Luciddreamer007 Жыл бұрын

My Grandfather always said you can tell a lot about a man by looking at his shop Organization , lighting , cleanliness layout etc ….. Rob my “Gramps” would approve !! Cool green stones !! ✨✨✨✨👍✨✨✨✨

@MichiganRocks Жыл бұрын

Good thing you can't see behind the camera. I only point the camera where I want you to see!

@storytimewithunclebill1998 2 жыл бұрын

Those ones that came out, came out amazing. Looked so dull at first with nothing to them. Was fun to watch. Great video

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Usually I like to do things on my channel that I'm already sort of good at. I thought it might be fun for you to learn along with me.

@betojdesigns 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, that stone is gorgeous. A bit Temperamental, but really cool when you get down to the turtle back pattern.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Yep, tricky to work, but well worth the effort.

@shellyshellz2800 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful stone. I hadn’t heard of it before so thank you for sharing!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

it's an awesome stone. It would be nice if they were bigger or my fingers were smaller.

@rosalindhendricks6337 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks do you use dop sticks like the opal polishers use.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

@@rosalindhendricks6337 I use dop sticks when making normal, larger cabs. I was trying to grind all sides of these so I didn't want a stick in the way. I might try that next time though.

@mknewlan67 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. Those are stunning.

@CityRockhounding 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, those really are beautiful, love the pattern. I didn't know you can't pick up green stone in the park, good to know that. Thanks for sharing these, so cool. Good tip about pitting and polishing.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I think it's illegal to collect rocks in any national park. It's illegal in the Pictured Rocks park for sure. I don't think it's allowed at Sleeping Bear Dunes either.

@CityRockhounding 2 жыл бұрын

Well that's really good to know. Thanks for the tip there. I've been to all of those, but that was before I knew about rocks. Only one year under my belt so far, but I'm learning quick and a lot.

@margaretlynch1494 2 жыл бұрын

🙋‍♀️Wow! BEAUTIFUL! This is just as much fun to watch as grinding for Australian black opals ! ASTRO Jetson! LOL That will work!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I haven't tackled opal yet.

@kimberlyaustin6677 2 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh, that's absolutely beautiful!👍

@MysticNightCalls 5 ай бұрын

Beautiful stones, I have been fascinated with them for years. They a fantastic mounted in gold.

@MichiganRocks 5 ай бұрын

I can imagine that they would look great in gold.

@suzettecalleja3122 2 жыл бұрын

So glad you mentioned ASTRO in the Jetsons Woaf.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Rastro!

@kareno8634 2 жыл бұрын

May be odd to say, but you're Really Brave! It's All what One sees, likes or hopes for through trial & error. *Very NICE!*

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I was a little nervous to grind these, but I don’t think I messed them up too bad.

@rosalindhendricks6337 2 жыл бұрын

Just like everything else in crafts, trial and error to attain success. Takes patience of which you have plenty. Admirable trait.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I grew up on a lake and then my in laws had a cottage on a lake until a couple years ago. I have always liked water skiing, but never liked tubing much. Skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and barefooting requires skill. Tubing just requires hanging on. I like things that require skill more. If it's too easy, what fun is it? This stuff requires skill and is therefore more interesting.

@rosalindhendricks6337 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks 👏🏆

@nancywilson9380 2 жыл бұрын

Very Cool Lookin'! Thanks for the time experimenting. The polished turtleback pattern is absolutely beautiful! 🤩

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I'm still learning, but I had fun.

@melodyhart2017 2 жыл бұрын

When you get a good one,and it takes a nice polish,that is a very pretty stone !

@jeffholmes1362 2 жыл бұрын

That’s very cool. Well worth the effort. Great job. Thanks for sharing

@kimfrommn7162 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful Video! Thanks! 🤗❤️🙏🏼

@virginiarocks 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. Stunning patterns. Very cool!

@Ken_G. 2 жыл бұрын

That's some really pretty stuff, I've never seen it before. It looks like there's botryoidal growth going on on some of it. I love the pattern it has.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, that one definitely had some botryoidal stuff going on inside that one.

@GREEKEXPLORERS 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video!! Keep it up loud and thank you for sharing it with us!!

@TarnishedViking. 2 жыл бұрын

Them little stones look Awesome!

@5thdimension625 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Nice finds there, I’m jelly

@chance1986 2 жыл бұрын

Such lovely patterns. Thank you.

@rachelowen9441 2 жыл бұрын

So glad you showed this I picked up a piece of basalt this past Summer with what I figured were green stones because one was broke and I could see yhe patern but tried polishing a little and wasn't seeing the pattern. Now I know O need to go a little deeper. Thank you!💚

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck, Rachel. As you can see, I am just learning too, but you definitely need to grind off a fair amount to get to the good stuff.

@Ontario_Rockhound 2 жыл бұрын

Very pretty material, love the coloration and patterns!

@wyomingadventures 2 жыл бұрын

That's a beautiful stone! First time I've ever heard about. Your area has a lot of different kinds of rocks. It's amazing! Nice job Rob

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

The area where these are founds about seven hours away from my house. Michigan is a pretty big state. We really do have a big variety of rocks and minerals in this state. The Keweenaw Peninsula is particularly rich in minerals.

@LadyYoop 2 жыл бұрын

Oh how beautiful! WOWOWOWOWOW.....wonder where these were found...some rock pile somewhere up north! Boy, those little nubs I sent ain't nothing. lol...these are worth big bucks too...really big...gave my sis a little one, and I was told it was a $500 stone..much smaller than anything you have here. Well done. You impress me so much! thank you!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

These are huge. Kyle said he found a chunk of basalt on the side of a trail and it was full of them.

@LadyYoop 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks You don't even see them that big at jewelry stores! Amazing!

@salliemorrill2671 Жыл бұрын

Those tiny stones are beautiful. Chasing the pattern concept makes sense.

@MichiganRocks Жыл бұрын

Tricky rocks to work with, but worth the effort.

@sandmaker 2 жыл бұрын

It looks like your grinding down to the ends of crystal shapes which gives the turtle back pattetn. I think your doing a great job. Be happy, safe and stay healthy 😷⚒

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I think that's what's happening too. Super cool rock.

@amywilliams1443 2 жыл бұрын

Super cool when polished…

@Muertenoir 2 жыл бұрын

Woah! Those are stunning!

@danderth 2 жыл бұрын

those are really neat, and it was fascinating watching you learn how to work with them.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you found it fascinating. I was hoping I didn't just look as clueless as I was.

@markattardo 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool rocks! Thanks for sharing your learning process too!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

You've got to start somewhere. I enjoy teaching people how to tumble, but it's fun learning something new too.

@nicholasvermeulen 4 ай бұрын

!!! Hello fellow Michigander 😂 awesome man love the video. Love Michigan rocks, every year I look for rocks especially after it rains!

@MichiganRocks 4 ай бұрын

Yep, they do look better wet. That's why I prefer hunting right in the lake.

@lorrets9775 2 жыл бұрын

They are a nice surprise

@captpaul8827 2 жыл бұрын

This is what I was trying to find you in that last pile we were at. They are there as well as other places on the Peninsula, just needed more time. One thing about greenstone is not to be afraid to go deeper when grinding. But, it certainly requires a "touch" to get it right.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I still haven't chipped away at the rocks you found with me. The greenstones in those don't seem to be as big, but I'm going to learn something when I try to extract them.

@suzettecalleja3122 2 жыл бұрын

Those are beautiful very interesting 😊.

@MrsOx-jz9fg 2 жыл бұрын

This is the first time hearing of this stone and I must say they are beautiful and truly unique. Thanks Rob for sharing. I must find one to add to my collection..

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Some of the rocks shops in the Keweenaw Peninsula have them.

@MrsOx-jz9fg 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks if I ever get out there I'm looking forward to the shops and goin rock hounding but for now I gotta hope I can find a piece in etsy

@katiedid713926 2 жыл бұрын

So beautiful. Wonder who ever thought to find such beauty in a lumpy rock. Just amazing

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I think you'd need to see one broken to ever think to do anything with it. I'm not sure what beach tumbled rocks look like.

@deniseview4253 2 жыл бұрын

It’s a beautiful stone. I’ve only seen this rock once. A friend of mine had it.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I really, really like this stuff too.

@jesssheteron902 2 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU!! I was in the keewanaw this past summer and was able to bring back a small amount of basalt filled with green stone. You think polishing is hard, the chipping and getting it out of the basalt is a killer. Thank you for another great video. I brought my cabking to florida to work on my stones! You have helped me more than anything I could find on the web for now how do I try to polish!! Keep on stoning

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I am mostly self taught on cabbing. I just ran across the William Holland Lapidary school KZfaq channel. I haven't watch much yet, but I think there's probably some good stuff there. kzfaq.info/love/_dAN96CrQvBiBIDeNOmzrAvideos

@h2tumbledrough259 2 жыл бұрын

I've been working away with my dremel on the couple I have in basalt and finally had to set it aside for a while. I'll get back to it but man it is hard small work, and stressful not go to far, guessing on where the stone stops! I have just a few I've been hand sanding to finish up too. It's exciting when you hit that chatoyancy! 💚

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

@@h2tumbledrough259 I am thinking of working some of the areas with a Dremel too, but I don't have any good bits for that. I have some cheap diamond bits I could start with, but nothing to do the finer polishing with. Do you have any suggestions?

@dancrites453 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I would love to get my hands on some of that. It's beautiful... Thanks for sharing.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I never thought I'd have any of this stuff to play with. I'm glad I do.

@chrishunt8130 2 жыл бұрын

What a spectacular pattern on those stones and as always top shelf polish. Thanks for sharing

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, these are really, really cool little rocks.

@kylaabegglen1275 2 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous! Hadn't ever heard of these before. Definitely a very cool and beautiful gemstone.😍 Thanks for another great video Rob!✌🤠

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I have heard of them, but didn't expect to have any to play with. These are awesome.

@captpaul8827 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks Very lucky; most people don't just give them out....

@Tealtra 2 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous!

@disabledvetnralifer932 2 жыл бұрын

I love those stones... great vid sir

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I didn't do a great job with them, but I had fun.

@disabledvetnralifer932 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks You learned. I have never polished stones but I am learning by watching you.

@SyntaxMSU 2 жыл бұрын

AMAZING work on this video! Thank you so much for doing this; lord knows it's work, lol. As far as I know there aren't any videos on the internet that have this level of care and detail for this type of stone and this will be an invaluable resource for people for years to come. You're doing great with the polishing too! Most greenstones don't want to be gems but you're definitely making the most out of them. I can say with certainty that the one that broke in half was already broken and it was just looking for an excuse to come apart. The hammer broke that, not you...so don't doubt yourself! But thanks again so much! This totally made my week; I loved it! Best wishes -K

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I really didn't think it was that great. I'm really glad you like it so much. I might do a follow up if I get better at working these. I'm very open to suggestions. I'm still trying to figure out how to make a cab for example. Not that I would know what to do with a cab. I think you'd have to do silver smithing to really make something to wear.

@sirbuleletideas1137 2 жыл бұрын

It's very shiny after polishing with beautiful designs.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

This is one of the prettiest rocks I've worked with.

@loriehabel1552 2 жыл бұрын

Glad to see you got them polished up, guess I better try polishing what I've got to see if I've found some. That's been on my hunt list for a year.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I have some in basalt that I haven't chiseled out yet. The problem with looking for them is that there are many green minerals that are found within basalt. Look for the ones that are broken and hollow. I find that the easiest way to spot them. Also, watch this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fdF5eK1ynZ6ompc.html

@loriehabel1552 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you,I will watch this.

@IvanLopez-zh3xz 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool!!

@frtlmrtl5 2 жыл бұрын

OMg I would take all those little pieces, the one you sacrificed would look stunning on my hand as a ring!

@jenjencannon3224 2 жыл бұрын

Rob you are so committed.... and respectful of the materials. Thank you for that. 😀 I would not have the patience for such tiny stones.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I do wish they were a bit bigger.

@orsud1890 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent démonstration bravo merci mon ami ✨👌

@mikedodge3910 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! What a cool rock! The transformation was incredible!

@lynettepavelich7540 2 жыл бұрын

What a unique stone! I would have for sure either walked passed that one or would have “blooped” it back in the water! Looking forward to a follow up after you’ve learned more! Very pretty rock.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

When I went to the mine piles this summer with Paul and Nat in the Keweenaw Peninsula we found some basalt with these in it. I don't think they're as big, but I haven't chipped them out of the rock yet. Here's that video in case you missed it: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fdF5eK1ynZ6ompc.html

@lynettepavelich7540 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks , missed it! Lol! Wrong! Looking forward to a trip to the UP; Santa brought me a UV black light!🎉

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

@@lynettepavelich7540 That will be fun!

@Tanya_LitLife 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for teaching & experimenting on these chlorastrolites. I’m not familiar with them at all, so this was fun!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I've known about them for a long time, but was never lucky enough to have any to play with.

@andreaheather7298 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, this video is so cool! What a great gift of greenstone you received! And it helped me confirm that a piece of basalt with some interesting chunks in it I found up on the Keweenaw a few years ago probably is greenstone after all. Maybe some day I'll be able to get it cut and polished up. Thanks for confirming my suspicion - it's been one of my most precious rock finds and now is even more so. Thanks for your great videos! Michigan rocks are the best rocks.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

We sure do have some good rocks here. I hope your rock does have greenstone in it. Look for the broken ones, that's the easiest way to tell.

@andreaheather7298 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks Yeah, the one I found has a nodule of the greenish radial chatoyancy with what looks like some calcite in the center. Very similar to, though not as impressive a specimen as, the ones you worked on.

@KZ-np8fz 11 ай бұрын

One of my favorite stones. Those pieces were the biggest chlorastrolite I've ever seen.

@MichiganRocks 11 ай бұрын

They were sort of huge. For anyone who is not familiar with them, that would sound ridiculous, but they really are big for greenstones.

@lisaparlberg1581 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob nice video

@TheShootinStar 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful rocks. Thanks for the lesson.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know if I would call it a lesson. It was more like watching me try to figure something out.

@silverlover5817 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video..........

@milesnn 2 жыл бұрын

As always another fantastic video cool rock amazing what was hid out of view fantastic results for sure specially first time. Awesome time thank you

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. I sure found it interesting to play with these.

@milesnn 2 жыл бұрын

I bet to expose that marking ,challenging is not the word

@aliencat11 2 жыл бұрын

I love Green stones! I a tually purchased a tiny cab, a little bigger in diameter than a pencil eraser. I bought it Copper Harbor for $20 in 1996. It has all the bells and whistles. After seeing your video, I'm amazed it wasn't more expensive. Such beautiful stones. And I set it on a copper leaf. Thanks for sharing, Rob. Loved seeing this.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Finished greenstone is usually very expensive.

@josephmansfield2437 Жыл бұрын

i have never even heard of this stone it's amazing

@MichiganRocks Жыл бұрын

It sure is.

@jasm8913 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another very informative video; great tips!! I may have collected a couple of these at Keweenaw; when I get to polishing, it’d be a wonderful surprise to see that pattern emerge!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck, I hope you have some good ones!

@meMiner 2 жыл бұрын

I like your cabber. I have one with two wheels that is still in my shed since I acquired it. You got great results. It makes me want to clean off my work bench and retrieve it. Very interesting video

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I don't have great skills at this...yet. Get that cabber out! I think you'd have a lot of fun with it. Do you have a basement you can work in? I always see you out on your deck.

@salishseaquest7952 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed following your process, Rob. It was interesting to see and I can understand the term 'chasing the pattern' after watching you reason through it. Will be interested to see what you are able to achieve now that you've tested yourself. Good job!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I have a feeling this is something that takes awhile to get good at.

@salishseaquest7952 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks All good things do!

@Indyanas_ocean_view 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, super beautiful! Those patterns are really cool! 😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I love this stuff!

@Indyanas_ocean_view 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks It's really super 😍🥰😇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

@SaraJean85 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to work one of those stones.. how BEAUTIFUL

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I'm really fortunate to have a handful of them. Awesome little things.

@oldgamerchick 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice

@GrandTreasureBay 2 жыл бұрын

Dang, I think they all turned out. Nicely done!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@HuntfishtrapWhitefishriver 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Nice show, never miss it😎

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@I_wish_I_knew_something 2 жыл бұрын

Oh man, greenstones! Been looking for these.

@I_wish_I_knew_something 2 жыл бұрын

They look way different than I thought they would.

@darrinwilliams5715 2 жыл бұрын

I only have one small piece of that material. It’s an awesome stone when you find that pattern. Very cool video.😎

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Darrin. I didn't know if people would enjoy watching me fumble around with something for the first time.

@jamesrich8463 7 ай бұрын

The thing I notice with these is the whole stone usually doesn't have pattern only part of it so if you get one good face your good. The bigger ones are usually hollow or have quartz in the middle and the greenstone is like a shell around it. The smaller ones can be solid if they are small enough without quartz or something in the middle. Really most of these if I can just get one good looking face on it I'm happy and it might have a small imperfections possibly but that is okay. Those greenstone you have cleaned up nice they look really good. I have to go hunt some petoskey next year I haven't tried before but I'd really like to figure out where to get some of those.

@MichiganRocks 7 ай бұрын

You described them well. They're very tricky to polish well because the pattern is on such a thin layer.

@SherryAustinMcginley 2 жыл бұрын

Wouldn’t have thought they would shine at all. Nice patterns.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

No problem shining, just a problem getting the good pattern and no pitting.

@powerlinekid4296 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, I wish I found your channel recently. I would have bought a cab machine. However, I found it a while ago, and now own two tumblers. Got to save up for cab machine.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I think most people start with a tumbler and move up to a cab machine later. That's what I did.

@joseywilds3133 2 жыл бұрын

These came out amazing, keep up the good work! Edit: I imagine it would be like polishing opal,

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I haven't polished opal, so I can't compare the two.

@paigelee6321 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool interesting thank you 😊💙

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome, Paige.

@sparband 2 жыл бұрын

You had an ethereal look at the beginning of the video. You must have had a smudge on your camera. Wow. Those don’t look like much before, but they are sure beautiful. If you could get bigger pieces, they would be good for your stone turtles. I like the inside crystal formation. That’s kind of interesting. If you had a big enough piece, it might be pretty as a polished slab. It would have the contrast of green with the white crystal center.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know what I did on that opening shot. I have some lights and one's dial is messed up. When I turn it, it goes to random numbers. I think I must have. bumped it and turned it way up. I'm not sure. People make cabs out of greenstone, but I'm not quite sure how yet. They're so small and usually hollow.

@lindenbug 2 жыл бұрын

Hmm I’ve been up to the Keweenah a few times for a summer camp at Michigan Tech. I wonder if I’ve picked up any greenstone without realizing. I’ll have to check!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Isn't that a beautiful area?

@davidl.turner1005 2 жыл бұрын

One of your best vid’s Rob. Thanks. I like that cabbing machine. Can you polish the concave side, like the back side of the piece that broke off? Btw Swede’s in Copper Harbor has some nice greenstone, mostly jewelry not raw samples. Also Korner Gem in Traverse City.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

The wheels on my machine are six inches diameter, so I can polish a concave area of that diameter.

@conemsrs444 Жыл бұрын

Definitely like to see them done in a tumbler.

@MichiganRocks Жыл бұрын

They're so tiny, I'd be afraid to grind them away to nothing.

@melodyhart2017 2 жыл бұрын

If you could get a pair of small drops,they would make some very pretty drop earrings !

@patriciamckean4186 Жыл бұрын

Mine in basalt are pretty small. I see the chatoyancy, and my eyesight isn't what it used to be. Wow, learning new things.

@MichiganRocks Жыл бұрын

They tend to be very small. These were huge compared to most that I have found on my own.

@chadatchison145 2 жыл бұрын

I looked these up and they're pricey little buggers lol great video.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I know. It was very nice of Kyle to share some.

@Rocking-SLC 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Rob, very interesting rocks and I love learning new words with Greek roots. I wonder what those rocks would look like if you tumbled them in the same way you'd tumble obsidian. They are similar in the Mohs scale.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know, but I'd be worried about a couple things. First, that plain green rock on top (I think it's chlorite) varies in thickness. tumbling would remove it uniformly, so you'd work down to the turtleback pattern in some places before others. Also, they're so small that it would be easy to grind them to nothing. I'd be checking them every day.

@Rocking-SLC 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks Good point. They are so rich in color when you get that turtle back look; it would be a shame to destroy them.

@1PITIFULDUDE 2 жыл бұрын

Kind of like diamonds; beauty not so obvious until it's polished.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I think these are much more interesting than diamonds though.

@Grumpist1 2 жыл бұрын

The grinding/polishing and trying to find the pattern in this stone is very similar to the kind of grinding that opal requires, and the techniques involved at least appear to be essentially the same as what Justin over on Black Opal Direct

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know anything about opal, so thanks for letting me know that this is similar to working opal.

@-td4abba4truth40 2 жыл бұрын

During your speaking the subtitles cover the view of stone so your aware. Btw hello, hope your enjoying the new start of the year

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what to do about that other than to watch it again without the subtitles.

@AngelOfDeath7MonsterTruck 2 жыл бұрын

These would make awesome marbles!!

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

Only if you like really, really little marbles. I used to have a bunch of marbles, but I can't find them.

@AngelOfDeath7MonsterTruck 2 жыл бұрын

@@MichiganRocks dangit😂

@jeannieschannel1107 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice! I’ve learned so much from your videos! How’s the Huron shores doing? Must be completely frozen over.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I haven't been to the beach in awhile. It was -8 on the way to church this morning. I am thinking about going out just to look at the ice this coming week. Maybe I'll find something interesting to make a video of.

@user-rq8ig2qw1j 2 жыл бұрын

О! Какой красивый камень!!!

@connifilteau2678 2 жыл бұрын

Wondering if you partially grind through the botryoidal, would you get eyes.....the other side of the one you cut in half for example.... Thanks for sharing and teaching.

@MichiganRocks 2 жыл бұрын

I have never seen eyes on pictures of these. I'm not sure though. That botryoidal area was very small.

@lylelaylin2912 8 ай бұрын

I've been playing with green stones for quite a while and got to talk to a couple of the old time folks about how to work them. From John Perona I learned that nice smooth side is almost never the good side to work (almost) it's usually the Lumpy difficult side that gives you the best pattern. The other person I've learned from is Ken Flood at Keweenaw Gem and gift. When he works them he never uses a hard wheel, he uses a soft wheel 60 Grit and then moves immediately to a 600 grit.

@MichiganRocks 8 ай бұрын

I found the same thing with the lumpy side seems to be the good side. Thanks for the tip about stating with soft wheels. I don't have a 60 grit soft wheel, but I could start with the coarsest one I do have.