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 peridot 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.

Peridot varieties can vary in hardness. If you’re polishing forsterite (7), consult the survey results for polishing gems with 7-8 hardness. For fayalite (6.5) and tephroite (6), take a look at the results for polishing gems with 4-6 hardness.

For more information about the survey or to find results for more gemstones, click here.

Peridot Polishing Techniques

Laptype Polish Lubrication Votes
Tin Linde A/Cerium water 20
Tin 50-100k diamond oil or water 10
Ultra Lap Aluminum Oxide water 6
BATT Linde A/Cerium water 5
Last Lap 50k diamond vinegar/water 3
Lucite 50-100k diamond DiaLube or water 3
BATT 50-100k diamond oil 3
Ceramic 100-200k diamond none 3
Ceramic 50k diamond oil 3
Lucite Cerium Oxide water 2
Copper Diamond paste Crystalube 2
Zinc 50k diamond oil 2
Last Lap Aluminum Oxide water 2
Magic Wax Linde

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