I'm glad it makes some sense and helps you understand a bit.

There's a fine line between explaining and complaining, and I really don't care much to get that close to it if I can help it. It's always a challenge when talking about things like this.

Perfectly understandable. Our rule here at Susan's is to share only what you are comfortable with. I understand the need to remain as private as possible. Twice, I have had online stalkers track me down through Facebook posts, so I learned to be cautious about sharing too much. Now if they were to try to find me I would say "Good Luck!".

Thank you for continuing the conversation here. You are among friends and may be able to find a post or someone online who has had a similar experience. Hopefully, they can chime in.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on Today at 04:22:09 PMDo the finishes called polished, matte, and leather apply to the rock work you do?

Chrissy,

Not exactly. The harder rocks like agates and jaspers will get nice and shiny. The softer ones like Fuchsite are too porous so they get smooth but not really shiny. The problem is that softer rocks have to be tumbled with care because they get worn down pretty quickly and can break apart. So they don't get as long of a cycle in the tumbler.

I have some "exotics" that I will be tumbling soon. Amethyst is a hard stone, but like quartz, it can fracture and bruise easily. So they need special care too. I have some jade, amethyst, tiger eye, amazonite, and quartz ready to start next week. I have to add "padding" in the form of small stones so they don't crash into each other as they tumble. I am anxious to see how they come out.

Lori,

Do the finishes called polished, matte, and leather apply to the rock work you do?


Chrissy

Quote from: LoriDee on Today at 02:33:09 PMAnother day of cleaning out the rock tumblers.

Previously, I had mentioned that I like the Bubblegum Agates because they can be full of surprises. Here is an example:

When I find it on the ground and wash it off it looks sort of like this.


Then after rolling around in the tumblers, the abrasive grit wears away the "husk" and we get a glimpse of what's inside. This is how this one turned out.


and the other side.


Here are a few others that turned out nice.

This one came from Teepee Canyon. I'll be going back to get more soon.





My expertise in jewelry making is improving.
Check out this engagement ring. Now that is a rock any woman would love to receive.



Or not. 

I like all of them, except the one with the rock inside prongs.  I guess some people might like that one too but it is not one that I would wear.

Thank you for the responses. I apologize, but I'm hesitant to share too much out in the open so I am not sure making an introduction would be something I'd be comfortable doing. It's not you all, I've experienced targeted harassment in the past. I almost didn't post at all because I can't control what is visible by the public. If you have something more secure, I'd love to participate more and talk more privately. Sorry it's that way, but this is the state of the world at the moment. I'm aware I'm a little paranoid, but I have very valid reasons.

I'm in my early 40's and I transitioned as a late teen. I'm relatively new to the area I'm in, so it's taking some time to get my current medical care in order, but I had faced significant medical discrimination with my general care in the past so I have a rough time trusting medical professionals, as I've had "religious beliefs" impact my treatment in places where that's allowed to happen legally. It's less bad where I live now, but I expect the other shoe to drop every time I walk into an office.

Your information is helpful and I think my own anxieties are mostly making this worse for me but my GP isn't really concerned at all. I think his biggest concern is finding someone who will for sure be affirming so the situation is as comfortable as possible  for me. I could really use a "Oh yeah, that happened to me, here's my experience".

Love them! As a child, polished stones enchanted me. Heck, they still do.

Another day of cleaning out the rock tumblers.

Previously, I had mentioned that I like the Bubblegum Agates because they can be full of surprises. Here is an example:

When I find it on the ground and wash it off it looks sort of like this.


Then after rolling around in the tumblers, the abrasive grit wears away the "husk" and we get a glimpse of what's inside. This is how this one turned out.


and the other side.


Here are a few others that turned out nice.

This one came from Teepee Canyon. I'll be going back to get more soon.





My expertise in jewelry making is improving.
Check out this engagement ring. Now that is a rock any woman would love to receive.



Or not.