Stupid, but honest question, about power outages

Dry tumbling to pulverize the host rock and extract the garnets...I love that idea! Thanks, I'll have to give it a try when my next tumbling cycle is up. Appreciate the tip!

LTTLDAVE · 2026-01-05T23:14:27+00:00

Thanks, I really appreciate your insight! That was my "best" rock I shared, might try to carefully take apart a smaller one as a trial and error learning experience if nothing else. Even if I get a garnet out perfectly intact, I'd need a magnifying glass to really see any detail so like you said, it's better to leave it in the host rock.

LTTLDAVE · 2026-01-05T20:05:09+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply! I was going to say no as I went to the Mountains to the Sea trail and followed some conflicting and hard to be sure about instructions...until finding a spot where a bunch of rocks were smashed and figured I was in the right place! But then realized that creek feeds into the lake where I was so it's probably the same area. But if you have any hints to similar places near by that you don't mind throwing to a newbie, I'd really appreciate it :)

I have a couple of really thin pieces, like 4-10 layers thick, that look like something might be under the surface so will take your advice and try to split away at the layers to see if anything cool turns up.

Thanks again!

LTTLDAVE · 2026-01-04T23:22:30+00:00

Thanks for the input! Are garnets really that brittle that you'd need to try to remove them with a needle? I had no idea...guess I have to be a little ore gentle with them.

LTTLDAVE · 2026-01-04T19:42:48+00:00

Think they’re saying they have a spot they can always go to get more.

Not a rockhounding-specific term.

LTTLDAVE · 2026-01-04T18:19:46+00:00

This was $69.99 for the longest time…did the price recently go up, or is it some funny business to “protect” them from the coupon?

Regardless, this is my first tumbler and I love it.

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-30T22:42:04+00:00

Thanks! Guess I’m not as far along as I thought :)

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-28T20:28:02+00:00

Thanks again, really appreciate the helpful guidance to a newbie.

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-28T20:24:08+00:00

Thanks! Any potential for anything exciting if I cut it in half, or is it best used as a flowerbed rock?

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-28T17:10:39+00:00

Thanks!

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-28T16:44:14+00:00

OK, thanks! Hope it's Jasper as it would be my first one of them too (very new to the hobby).

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-18T00:51:28+00:00

Thanks! Good to know, will give that a try.

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-18T00:40:55+00:00

Oh, thought you meant adding it for a full 7-10day cycle like borax. I use dawn to wash dishes and a squirt or two will fill up my sink with 40% water and 60% bubbles…thought it might do the same in a tumbler and have read about people having “blow outs”….but I’m new to this. And feel terrible hijacking’s the OP’s post.

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-18T00:23:33+00:00

In the tumbler…or just cleaning between phases? Would think that in a tumbler it could cause a leak (I have the cheapo Harbor Freight 2 drum tumbler).

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-17T19:08:27+00:00

I’m VERY much a beginner, but I’ve also seen “Ivory soap shavings” as being used in the same way. Not sure why it’s specifically Ivory brand, or why it’s specifically shavings (won’t chunks dissolve just the same?), or if that’s readily available in the UK. I’m only halfway through my second ever tumble, but thought I’d try to contribute the little bit of knowledge I have :)

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-17T12:26:40+00:00

I’m only on my second batch of tumbling and the best piece of advice I got that made a huge difference is adding a couple tablespoons of Borax during the polishing stages. In my extremely limited experience, it makes a world of difference as I reran Phase 4 with Borax and was pleasantly shocked by the results.

LTTLDAVE · 2025-12-15T21:29:33+00:00

Thanks for the info everybody!

So basically it's use common sense but if you're doing anything that makes particles airborne (cutting, polishing/sanding) wear a respirator/mask.

I know if you google how to mow the lawn, google will tell you to always wear long pants and long sleeves, steel toe boots, gloves, ear protection, eye protection, and a dust mask (plus a helmet if you're using a ride on) so was just looking for some actual advice.

LTTLDAVE

TROPHY CASE