With a few pieces of lapidary equipment, some very attractive rings, bracelets and necklaces can be created relatively simply. Lapidary is the art of cutting and polishing semi-precious stones. Once the stones are smooth and polished, some fascinating and saleable jewelry is easily produced.
A tumbler is essential. There are a few decisions to be made before purchasing a tumbler. The most important decision is whether to purchase a rotary or vibratory model. Both types have a rubber- or plastic-lined barrel. Stones, some abrasive grit, usually silicon carbide, and a lubricant, usually water, are added. The tumbler is then set in motion and left running at a predetermined speed. The action of the rocks and abrasive grit moving together smooths the rocks. Various grades of grit are available and the time taken to create smooth stones will depend on the grit used and the time spent in the tumbler.
The early tumblers were based on a rotary movement and this type is still used today. A barrel sits on two revolving parallel shafts. The barrel revolves, tumbling the stones inside. Rotary or barrel tumblers vary in size. Some have a capacity of only two to four pounds while commercial types will tumble much larger quantities. For hobbyists, it is false economy to buy the cheapest models. They are more likely to have maintenance problems. A good quality tumbler however will last for years.
As well as the rotary tumbler, there is a vibratory tumbler available. This is gentler in its action and shakes the stones around within a stationary barrel. Both rotary and vibratory models use abrasives. Coarse abrasives are used in the initial process. This is then replaced, perhaps several times, with ever-finer abrasive grit. A final polish is given to the stones at the end.
Hobbyists tend to use the barrel or rotary tumbler. They are easy to load and can be allowed to operate without needing continual attention. This type can be slower to achieve the desired result although the time taken will depend on the grade of grit used and the hardness of the stone.
The vibrating tumblers have a very long life as there are very few moving parts to wear. Some are driven mechanically by motors while the electronic types use magnetic energy. Because the action is gentler particular shapes retain that shape after being placed in the tumbler. This is not so with the rotary model which rounds off any contours and edges. Vibratory units are normally faster to complete a cycle than rotary units.
Rotary units with twin barrels are available. This allows simultaneous tumbling of two batches with differing grades of grit. Alternatively, twice the amount of stones can be polished at the one time.
A typical cycle from rough rocks to polished items may take three to five weeks. There will be at least three stages to the polishing. Coarse grit is used first. The rocks are then washed thoroughly to remove any leftover grit then ground again using a finer grit. This might be followed by a pre-polishing compound, another wash and a final polish. Lapidary equipment is not confined to tumblers. Lapidary drills and saws and faceting machines allow greater diversity for hobbyists wishing to create their own jewelry.
A tumbler is essential. There are a few decisions to be made before purchasing a tumbler. The most important decision is whether to purchase a rotary or vibratory model. Both types have a rubber- or plastic-lined barrel. Stones, some abrasive grit, usually silicon carbide, and a lubricant, usually water, are added. The tumbler is then set in motion and left running at a predetermined speed. The action of the rocks and abrasive grit moving together smooths the rocks. Various grades of grit are available and the time taken to create smooth stones will depend on the grit used and the time spent in the tumbler.
The early tumblers were based on a rotary movement and this type is still used today. A barrel sits on two revolving parallel shafts. The barrel revolves, tumbling the stones inside. Rotary or barrel tumblers vary in size. Some have a capacity of only two to four pounds while commercial types will tumble much larger quantities. For hobbyists, it is false economy to buy the cheapest models. They are more likely to have maintenance problems. A good quality tumbler however will last for years.
As well as the rotary tumbler, there is a vibratory tumbler available. This is gentler in its action and shakes the stones around within a stationary barrel. Both rotary and vibratory models use abrasives. Coarse abrasives are used in the initial process. This is then replaced, perhaps several times, with ever-finer abrasive grit. A final polish is given to the stones at the end.
Hobbyists tend to use the barrel or rotary tumbler. They are easy to load and can be allowed to operate without needing continual attention. This type can be slower to achieve the desired result although the time taken will depend on the grade of grit used and the hardness of the stone.
The vibrating tumblers have a very long life as there are very few moving parts to wear. Some are driven mechanically by motors while the electronic types use magnetic energy. Because the action is gentler particular shapes retain that shape after being placed in the tumbler. This is not so with the rotary model which rounds off any contours and edges. Vibratory units are normally faster to complete a cycle than rotary units.
Rotary units with twin barrels are available. This allows simultaneous tumbling of two batches with differing grades of grit. Alternatively, twice the amount of stones can be polished at the one time.
A typical cycle from rough rocks to polished items may take three to five weeks. There will be at least three stages to the polishing. Coarse grit is used first. The rocks are then washed thoroughly to remove any leftover grit then ground again using a finer grit. This might be followed by a pre-polishing compound, another wash and a final polish. Lapidary equipment is not confined to tumblers. Lapidary drills and saws and faceting machines allow greater diversity for hobbyists wishing to create their own jewelry.
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