Location: Tourmaline

Discussion: I found some tourmaline, now what?Reported This is a featured thread

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colleenw
I found some tourmaline, now what?
Apr 4 2008, 6:19 AM EDT | Post edited: Apr 4 2008, 6:19 AM EDT
On a recent California trip, I found three nice pendant size pieces of tourmaline. But, I can't find anyone in my area to polish or shine them. Is there somewhere I can send them or does anyone have any suggestions on how to polish them myself? I kind of like their irregular shapes, but would like them to sparkle and I want them made into necklace pendants at my local jewelers. I contacted local jewelry stores and none of them polish gems or know anyone who does. Any suggestions much appreciated! Do you find this valuable?    
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TallTomSr
TallTomSr
1. RE: I found some tourmaline, now what?
Apr 4 2008, 4:41 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 4 2008, 4:41 PM EDT
go online and start contackting local gem or rock and mineral clubs. There is usually amamber or two who have equipment to polish or cut stones. Hope this helps. Also chek out someof the other threads like wet in washington or tips and tricks or some of the others you may find someone local who can help you
good hunting
tom Do you find this valuable?    

colleenw
2. RE: I found some tourmaline, now what?
Apr 5 2008, 4:31 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 5 2008, 4:31 PM EDT
Been trying to find a local club, but no luck. Is there any web sites online that I could mail them too? I love the gems I found, but would really like to make them into something. very frustrating!! Do you find this valuable?    
pvjjh
pvjjh
3. RE: I found some tourmaline, now what?
Apr 5 2008, 5:27 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 5 2008, 5:27 PM EDT
Where abouts are you located? Do you find this valuable?    

colleenw
4. RE: I found some tourmaline, now what?
Apr 5 2008, 7:20 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 5 2008, 7:20 PM EDT
Located in Wisconsin. Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
5. RE: I found some tourmaline, now what?
Apr 5 2008, 7:22 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 5 2008, 7:22 PM EDT
Most states have a mineral council. If you livein washington state just type in washington state mineral coucil and have listings of several clubs around the state. So maybe where ever you are there is one to. Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
6. this may help
Apr 5 2008, 7:35 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 5 2008, 7:35 PM EDT
check out wisconsin rock and mineral clubs, there are several listed by town or county Do you find this valuable?    
pvjjh
pvjjh
7. RE: this may help
Apr 5 2008, 8:58 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 5 2008, 8:58 PM EDT
Man Tom you ae fast. lol That is what I was going to recommend too. Colleen, if you need more help please let us know. We may be able to help you search for clubs or rock shops for you. Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
8. RE: this may help
Apr 5 2008, 10:58 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 5 2008, 10:58 PM EDT
LOL how do you think I got seven kids. Do you find this valuable?    
pvjjh
pvjjh
9. RE: this may help
Apr 6 2008, 12:04 AM EDT | Post edited: Apr 6 2008, 12:04 AM EDT
WELLllllll.... LOL I think it is because you are good! Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
10. RE: this may help
Apr 6 2008, 1:32 AM EDT | Post edited: Apr 6 2008, 1:32 AM EDT
I hope so and fast if she said maybe I jumped to make it a yes
Unfortunately I think my kids learned that to well as the newest grand babies prove LOL Do you find this valuable?    
pvjjh
pvjjh
11. RE: this may help
Apr 6 2008, 1:40 AM EDT | Post edited: Apr 6 2008, 1:40 AM EDT
LMAO! You are a riot! Do you find this valuable?    

toddarice
12. RE: this may help
Apr 6 2008, 10:44 AM EDT | Post edited: Apr 6 2008, 10:44 AM EDT
To polish a gem/mineral with uneven sides or to simply keep the irregular shapes as natural as possible, you need to invest in a flex shaft system (not cheap) or a dremmel. Also a diamond pacific or something related. But the flex shaft is the best way to keep the stone natural but polished. There are several steps, like all sanding, ending with polishing with cerium or tin oxide. There is a fairly exact science to doing this, and it takes practice and patience. There are some I have done myself on my website in the gallery section. Do you find this valuable?    

colleenw
13. RE: this may help
Apr 11 2008, 5:52 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 11 2008, 5:52 PM EDT
I just shipped my gems off to a Jeweler in Colorado who will cut and facet them. He estimates $40-$50 per gem. Does that sound reasonable to you guys? I will post again when they are returned to me. He said a one week turnaround. Huge leap of faith to ship them out, for me, but I couldn't find anyone to do it in my area. Do you find this valuable?    
TallTomSr
TallTomSr
14. shipped gems
Apr 11 2008, 6:01 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 11 2008, 6:01 PM EDT
I don't know the size of the stones you shhipped, however 40 to 50 dollars per stone is about average. Some lapidarist's charge by the carat for their work so depending on the size of the stones one is about the same as the other since the one's that chartge by the carat have a five carat minimum charge even if the stone turn's out to be only two or three carat's. We have one down here who charges ten dollar's a carat with a five carat minimun and an extra five dollar's per carat for stones over twenty carat's.
hope that help's
Tom Do you find this valuable?