Currently I am spending most of my time working on a photo book on Gemstone Beach stones. At this stage, I have collected together photos from the last four years and drafted text for entries on 20 diffferent stone types. I am just finishing writing six sections for the Introduction. I next need to edit some of the text I write earlier, to improve it. Chrissy is working on the layout, and we will eventually need to get together to finalise things.
But I am also finding the opportunity to tumble some stones, including this Kai Iwi Beach one. I found it about ten weeks ago and think it is probably an orbicular jasper – see this Post. I have recently tumbled it in 400 grit for 11 days and then in 600 grit for 10 days. It has come out nice and smooth, ready to go to a final polish stage. When found, the orbs in the stone were raised, suggesting they are harder than the rest of the material. I wasn’t sure if tumbling might not produce a completely smooth surface, but it has. Following are photos of the stone as found (below, left) followed by the stone after tumbling to date (on the right):
The orbs have an interesting structure and are nicely defined. I am pleased with progress so far and look forward to seeing what it looks like when polished.
Awesome!!
Looking forward to your project compilation with Chrissy