How can I polish gemstones extra shiny?

[AshleyRose]

Hello,

I am new to lapidary and am wondering how I can polish gemstones extra shiny if at all possible?

I can make my gemstones shiny but I have noticed that some gemstones at some stores are super shiny and I don't understand why.Can anyone tell me whether this is due to the polishing technique is it rather the quality of the gemstones themselves?
I am usually referring to semi precious stones.

I am currently using a Dremel for polishing.

Thankyou for your help.

[Gemster]

Welcome to the Forum AshleyRose, Most of those rocks you see in the shops have been tumbled with a...Rock Tumbler ... If you are not sure what they are, you could have a look at Aussie Sapphire's website under Tumblers, and you might be inspired to purchase one.... or like I have done, Make one.... You must be Dedicated to use a Dremel I will give you that.... But I Guess they have their uses in the lapidary world..

   Gemster...

[Rusted]

Reposted from the duplicate thread.

Hi AshleyRose

Welcome, I am sure we can get your problem sorted.

I think we probably need a few more details to actually help you. What grit sanding wheels or whatever are you using on your dremel? what polishing compound? on what sort of wheel?
What stones? Some polish well others are difficult and some are near impossible. Here harder is better.

A shine relies on removing all scratches and blemishes, even ones you can't see without an eyeglass. Any scratches or tiny pits break up the incoming light and reflect it back as a fuzzy look.

Polishing is just one step in the process and unless all the preceeding steps are done properly then a good polish wont happen.

Paul

[Jimnyjerry]

Welcome to ALF AshleyRose.
A cheap way to access equipment and advice as well as a way of meeting fun and like minded people is to join a lapidary club if one is near by.

If we know which state your in or general location we can post a list of clubs for you to pick from.
 

[FlashGP]

I have heard the term Skin Polishing used in conjunction with dremmels.  Stone carvers get quite a good finish using them. 

I've used a flexible sharft to polish opal, but it is time consuming.

As Rusted said, the trick is to learn to get all the scratches out  from the previous step as you move through the grits.

If you are polishing quartzes (agate,chalcdedony, etc) start with 80grit to preshape, then sand with, 120, 180, 280, 600, 1200, 14000 and then polish with tinoxide or cerium oxide.

some go from 1200 to tin oxide, but polishing is slower and not as good a finish.  If you are using sand papers, replace 14000 with 3000 or 3600 sandpaper if you can get it. 

The finer you get your finish the better when you get to the polishing stage.

kind regards

[FlashGP]

AshleyRose,

sorry I forgot to add, don't forget to keep the water up to the polishing agent so all the dust is trapped and the ground rock does not clog your çutting medium.

rock dust can be as dangerous as asbesdos.  Safe if trapped in water, but if you can smell the rock cuttiñg, it is too dry and dangerous.

A small spray bottle is all you need if using a dremmel.

kind regards