Can Copal be tumbled?

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- bluemaxx
  
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posted
20 years ago

Mon, Aug 11, 2003 7:29 PM

I have quite a few silver-capped Copal beads (and some brass capped ones, also) that I would like to tumble in walnut hulls that are about the size of a grain of sand.

Is it safe to tumble Copal? I also usually add a tiny bit of brass/siver polish - it's my husband's reloading tumbler & polish. It's done a marvelous job on my other silver with no damage to the finish, i.e. dents, nicks, etc. I just don't want the Copal to crack, etc.

Anyone done this before? Should I polish by hand? Will a silver polish wreck the polish of the Copal? TIA!

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- C Ryman
  
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posted
20 years ago

Mon, Aug 11, 2003 9:09 PM

I have no idea. But you might ask over at rec.crafts.jewelry

Good Luck

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- Steve & Susan Wright
  
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posted
20 years ago

Tue, Aug 12, 2003 12:34 PM

I have never tumbled copal but I have tumbled some amber chips on small bead rings with no damage. I tumbled Mexican opal which is very soft the other day. I used steel shot which is harder on stones as far as finish. I have tumbled malachite and did not like the finish when finished. I have not used the walnut shells but I would check with a rock shop or club where rock finishing is their expertise or check with the supplier of the walnut shell.

Susan W

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- bluemaxx
  
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posted
20 years ago

Wed, Aug 13, 2003 8:13 PM

Thank you for your input, ladies. :) I'm going to post over in the jewelry group and see if I can get a definite yes or no... these beads are too precious to ruin even one. Thanks again!