(This is the ninth Post in this series – the first Post can be found here.)
Two of the stones have suffered some minor damage in the Pre-Polish tumble, probably from bumping into other stones. This is despite careful handling and the use of plastic beads to cushion collisions in the barrel. This will happen from time to time due to the brittle make-up of some stones. Stone 6 has lost a small chip in its side:
Stone 12 has has lost three or four small pieces, the largest being apparent in the photo below:
In such cases, stones are usually returned to Stage Two or Three, to be re-tumbled with 220 or 320 grit to get rid of the pits. However, I will put them through to the Pro-Polish stage for the sake of this series of Posts.
The following are the stones as they looked upon initial collection from the beach at Riverton and then upon completion of Stage Five, Pre-Polish. In both instances, the stones are dry. Note that the same sized segment of graph paper is provided in these comparative photos. At present the stones look a lot smoother and shinier, and are slightly smaller. Their colours are clearer and brighter, with any patterns being more obvious.
Stones 1 to 5:
Stones 6 to 10:
The grain of Stone 6 is now apparent. The wearing away of Stone 7 has led to the band across its lower part to be uncovered more and thus made to appear larger.
Stones 11 to 15:
Stone 12 now has a depth to it as parts of it are translucent.
Stones 16 to 20:
Stones 21 to 25:
Stones 26 to 30:
Stones 31 to 35:
Stones 36 to 40:
The next step is Stage Six, the Pro-Polish tumble.
2 thoughts on “The Seven Stages in Tumble Polishing Stones: The Stones After Pre-Polish and Their “Inspection” and “Sorting” Before Stage Six”