Editor’s Note: Some years ago, the International Gem Society (IGS) conducted a survey of members’ polishing techniques. Here, you’ll find the results for cubic zirconia polishing. Whether you’re just starting to learn the art of gem cutting or just looking for a new way to tackle a problematic gem material, we hope these results provide some useful suggestions.
For more information about the survey or to find results for more gemstones, click here.
Polishing Techniques for Cubic Zirconia
Laptype | Polish | Lubrication | Votes |
Ceramic | 50-100k diamond | oil/extender fluid | 16 |
Tin | 14-100k diamond | water/oil | 13 |
Ceramic | 50-100k diamond | water/none | 5 |
BATT | 14-100k diamond | oil | 4 |
Corian | 14-50k diamond | olive oil/WD-40/extender | 3 |
Tin | 14k with Linde A | oil | 3 |
Tin | Alumina/Linde A | water | 2 |
Zinc | 100k diamond | oil | 2 |
Copper | 14k diamond | water, vinegar/oil | 2 |
Mylar/Lucite | 14-50k diamond | 2 | |
Last Lap | 14-50k diamond | oil | 2 |
Ultra Lap | aluminum oxide | water | 1 |
Phenolic | 14-50k diamond | oil | 1 |
CD | 14k diamond | olive oil/WD-40 | 1 |
Ultra Lap | 100k diamond | oil | 1 |
Turbofan Corundum | water | 1 |
Notes
- Polishing agents and lubricants divided with a “/”, like “cerium/diamond,” means either/or.
- Polishing agents and lubricants divided with a “,”, like “cerium, diamond,” means a
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