Snakes and Stones

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #172

A few local river rocks with some interesting patterns.

I have pictures of them in their original state somewhere (can just barely see the markings ), I have too many photos and not enough time to find them though.

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #173

Some light shades of moonstone.

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #174

Utah Wonderstone (same mineral as Photo #10).
It is a volcanic rock that is produced by particles of glass being fused together and then compressed by overlying rock and stained with iron oxide ground water over time.
The particular material I purchased (cheap of course) has very large particles which creates pores (lots of them).
Tumbling this material is easy...polishing it is hard. I have tried different techniques to polish, and I never seem to get past a certain level. However, a quick review of listings on Etsy for people working the same type of stone I have...would indicate that I did a damn fine job.

[Bogertophis]

Photo #174 ....a quick review of listings on Etsy for people working the same type of stone I have...would indicate that I did a damn fine job.

I'll say you did! They're beautiful!

[richardhind1972]

Wow they so cool

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[Lord Sorril]

I'll say you did! They're beautiful!

Wow they so cool

Thank you!
Thank you!

The next photo came out a little off-balance.
Photo #175

I was hoping to get the snake to form a 'U' facing the camera between the rutilated quartz and the chevron amethyst.
Unfortunately all the photos of my target pose were out of focus and/or the snake turned to look in the opposite direction.
I sold this snake prior to reviewing the photos...so I'm out of luck for a reshoot...

[Lord Sorril]

I was at a Michaels craft store the other night, Halloween is always great because I have a much wider range of snake-themed decorations to examine.



Unfortunately all of my reptile room space is enclosures with no human decor...but, it is still nice to look...

[Lord Sorril]

Photo #176

Lapis Lazuli from Afghanistan, this was my pilot piece for polish...it was much more difficult than I anticipated...seems like varied hardness between the striations in the stone.
The stress fracture in the center was my fault due to insufficient moisture in the vibe from a piece of sandstone rapidly deteriorating.
I had to switch from small gravel based to large ceramic-based media in the vibe for this one.
Sharp eyes might see some flecks of pyrite in there.

[Lord Sorril]

So I was at my local Home Depot a while back and noticed they had bags of cheap landscaping rocks with some barely noticeable 'banding' in them (image shown below).
They look like sandstone. Wasn't sure if they would tumble/polish...for a couple bucks: I didn't mind the experiment.
Note: Pay no mind to my painfully swollen hand in the photo above (compliments of my 3rd C-19 vaccine shot).

Photo #177

Tumbled and vibed they have a 'wet look', but, no sheen or reflective polish. No surprise for a sedimentary rock.
I'm still pleased with the final outcome.

[Bogertophis]

I like how those came out too. Not your hand so much, though- I just got my third too, & no issues other than some soreness in my arm like any flu shot would be. I'd accept the side effects anyway though, over "the alternative". Besides, I find other "creative" ways to beat up my hands & all- been doing lots of yard work lately (trimming very abrasive shrubs that fight back, etc)- I don't always notice even when I'm bleeding, lol. I do hope your hand feels better soon- honestly I would have just thought it was the camera angle if you hadn't mentioned it.