Polishing feldspar, fluorite, apatite, or other gems in the 4-6 hardness range? Our IGS member survey results can recommend some techniques and supplies.
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Editor’s Note: Some years ago, the International Gem Society (IGS) conducted a survey of members’ gemstone polishing techniques. Here, you’ll find the results for polishing gems in the 4-6 hardness range. Stones in this range include species such as feldspar, fluorite, and apatite. 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.
| Laptype | Polish | Lubricant | Votes |
| Ultra Lap | Aluminum/Cerium Oxide | vinegar/water | 19 |
| Tin | Linde A/Cerium Oxide | water | 15 |
| Lucite | Cerium Oxide/Linde A | water | 13 |
| Wax | Alumina/Linde A/Cerium | soapy water/water | 7 |
| Dynalap | Cerium Oxide | soapy water/water | 7 |
| Spectra (Ultra Lap) | Cerium Oxide | water | 7 |
| Lucite | 50k diamond | water | 6 |
| BATT | Linde A/Cerium Oxide | water | 5 |
| Tin | 100k diamond | vinegar/water | 3 |
| Tin | 50-100k diamond | oil | 2 |
| Copper | 50-100k diamond | Crysta Lubrication | 2 |
| CD | Cerium Oxide | water | 2 |
| Phenolic | Aluminum/Cerium Oxide | water | 2 |
| Spectra (Ultra Lap) | Colloidal Silica | vinegar/water | 2 |
| Raytech Fast Lap | Cerium Oxide | water | 1 |
| Raytech Fast Lap | 50k |
…
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Editor’s Note: Some years ago, the International Gem Society (IGS) conducted a survey of members’ gemstone polishing techniques. Here, you’ll find the results for polishing gems in the 4-6 hardness range. Stones in this range include species such as feldspar, fluorite, and apatite. 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.
| Laptype | Polish |
| Votes |
| Ultra Lap | Aluminum/Cerium Oxide | vinegar/water | 19 |
| Tin | Linde A/Cerium Oxide | water | 15 |
| Lucite | Cerium Oxide/Linde A | water | 13 |
| Wax | Alumina/Linde A/Cerium | soapy water/water | 7 |
| Dynalap | Cerium Oxide | soapy water/water | 7 |
| Spectra (Ultra Lap) | Cerium Oxide | water | 7 |
| Lucite | 50k diamond | water | 6 |
| BATT | Linde A/Cerium Oxide | water | 5 |
| Tin | 100k diamond | vinegar/water | 3 |
| Tin | 50-100k diamond | oil | 2 |
| Copper | 50-100k diamond | Crysta Lubrication | 2 |
| CD | Cerium Oxide | water | 2 |
| Phenolic | Aluminum/Cerium Oxide | water | 2 |
| Spectra (Ultra Lap) | Colloidal Silica | vinegar/water | 2 |
| Raytech Fast Lap | Cerium Oxide | water | 1 |
| Raytech Fast Lap | 50k |
…
Polishing feldspar, fluorite, apatite, or other gems in the 4-6 hardness range? Our IGS member survey results can recommend some techniques and supplies.
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