Achieving the Mirror Polish
The final polish is what separates a good cabochon from a masterwork. However, not all stones react the same way to polishing agents. You must match the compound to the stone's hardness and composition.
1. Cerium Oxide
The undisputed king of the quartz family. Mixed with water into a slurry and applied to a leather or felt wheel, cerium oxide chemically and mechanically polishes agates and jaspers to a blinding shine.
2. Tin Oxide
A fantastic general-purpose polish. It is slightly gentler than cerium, making it excellent for softer stones like obsidian, malachite, or turquoise.
3. Diamond Paste
For incredibly hard stones like ruby and sapphire, diamond paste (usually 50,000 to 100,000 grit) on a wooden or canvas lap is the only way to achieve a perfect finish.
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