Polishing Turquoise

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roberte Guest	Polishing Turquoise Jul 25, 2007 11:02:20 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by roberte on Jul 25, 2007 11:02:20 GMT -5 Hi Everyone; Anyone have any tips on polishing turquoise they'd like to share? Thanks roberte

stoner
no longer being taken for granite

THE EARTH IS JUST A ROCK TUMBLING THROUGH SPACE

Member since March 2003
Posts: 7,715

Polishing Turquoise Jul 25, 2007 18:24:35 GMT -5

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Post by stoner on Jul 25, 2007 18:24:35 GMT -5

I've only done a few turquoise cabs but the ones I did took a great shine using my usual steps when grinding cabs. 1200 and 3k diamond belts, then on to 14k paste on a leather belt and finishing it off with 50k paste on the leather belt.

rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher

Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507

Polishing Turquoise Jul 25, 2007 18:48:15 GMT -5

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Post by rallyrocks on Jul 25, 2007 18:48:15 GMT -5

The thing about "turquoise" is that name applies to a lot of different materials, (same chemical composition, but different formation, structure, and host rock)- some are relatively hard and will shine up nicely as Ed mentions given the usual treatment, however some are softer, some are more granular and a lot of what is on the market these days is actually stabilized or even reconstituted and these might need different handling.

Here are a couple of articles worth reading through if you are playing with this stuff:

www.thesantafesite.com/articles-database/The-Truth-on-Turquoise.html

www.gia.edu/library/29888/featured_gemstone__turquoise.cfm

www.americana.net/jewelry_turquoise_types_article.html

Last Edit: Jul 25, 2007 18:50:49 GMT -5 by rallyrocks

"I used to be 'with it' - then they changed what 'it' is. Now what I'm with isn't 'it' anymore and what is 'it' is wierd and scarey to me... It will happen to you, too." - Grandpa Simpson

spikeict
fully equipped rock polisher

Alba gu bra! In Promptu

Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,413

Polishing Turquoise Jul 25, 2007 20:45:16 GMT -5

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Post by spikeict on Jul 25, 2007 20:45:16 GMT -5

I can't see how it would be much different from Chrysocola or the softer Rhodochorsite. Don't try to do them and something harder at the same time. If you are not dopping trust what you feel through your fingers and listen to how the wheel sounds.

I am no where close to knowing what I am talking about but have been doing some soft stuff lately and that has been working for me.

Spike (the other Mark)

Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!

SpikesStoneworks

freeform
Guest

Polishing Turquoise Jul 26, 2007 9:21:33 GMT -5

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Post by freeform on Jul 26, 2007 9:21:33 GMT -5

Zam is a polishing compound used mainly for soft stones like Turquoise and Chrysocolla. Use that when its grain or highly included material. To me, the diamond process can work on the right grade. But as Rally notes, there more lower grade out there. You be surpised how shiny Zam can make a soft stone.

rockds still telling self it's just a hobby Member since September 2005 Posts: 4,130	Polishing Turquoise Jul 26, 2007 23:45:33 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by rockds on Jul 26, 2007 23:45:33 GMT -5 I don't care for turquoise my self but I did a piece for a lady and use Zam with a dremel buffer and in about 30 seconds - tada!
	Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and Prejudice and fear walk hand-in-hand.

horsinaround
spending too much on rocks

If you don't lick rocks...you ain't cool

Member since November 2006
Posts: 315

Polishing Turquoise Aug 2, 2007 20:36:58 GMT -5

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Post by horsinaround on Aug 2, 2007 20:36:58 GMT -5

I tried using a car buffer and all I ended up wit was a busted windshield as the rock flew threw the air with the greatest of ease....like a little man on a flying trapeez!!!!
HA HA HA
I have not been lucky enough to work with turquiose yet....everyone keeps sedning me rocks to tumble and make fishies out of...and other little cabs and things....
Good luck with the turqiouse though
Steve

I don't wanna grow up....cause I'm a toy's-r-us kid...ha ha ha !!!

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