Aussie Lapidary Forum

LAPIDARY => Gemstone Faceting => Topic started by: cliffsearch on November 12, 2017, 08:33:12 PM

Title: Polishing Garnet?
Post by: cliffsearch on November 12, 2017, 08:33:12 PM

I have a nice Nigerian Garnet that I want to cut soon. The only thing is, so far I've only been faceting quartz based gems. So I use a Lucite Disc and Cerium Oxide with great effect. Can you polish Garnet on a Lucite Disc?  I've been cutting for about 4 months so sorry about the newbie questions. Regards Cliff

Title: Re: Polishing Garnet?
Post by: Aussie Sapphire on November 13, 2017, 07:31:10 AM

I would not try to polish garnet with cerium.  That polish works best with stones in the 6 to 7 hardness range such as quartz.

You would be better to try aluminium or tin oxide with garnet.

cheers
Leah

Title: Re: Polishing Garnet?
Post by: cliffsearch on November 13, 2017, 09:05:25 AM

Quote from: Aussie Sapphire on November 13, 2017, 07:31:10 AM

I would not try to polish garnet with cerium.  That polish works best with stones in the 6 to 7 hardness range such as quartz.

You would be better to try aluminium or tin oxide with garnet.

cheers
Leah

Can you us Aluminium Oxide on a Lucite Disc? Thanks

Title: Re: Polishing Garnet?
Post by: Aussie Sapphire on November 13, 2017, 09:57:57 AM

Quote from: cliffsearch on November 13, 2017, 09:05:25 AM

Can you us Aluminium Oxide on a Lucite Disc? Thanks

Lucite laps are really old school and there are probably better options out there now but I dont see any reason why you cannot use Alumina in the same way as you currently use Cerium.  Would probably suggest not using both oxides on the same lap though.

cheers
Leah