CUL-Ann
spending too much on rocks
rock lover~
Member since September 2008
Posts: 380
|
Post by CUL-Ann on Nov 19, 2008 16:56:43 GMT -5
I see that for polish some say use ==cerium oxide, and some say AO(that I finaly put it together that AO is ==aluminum oxide.)
How do I chose what one I want to use???
Thanks,
|
|
firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
|
Post by firewalker45 on Nov 19, 2008 18:21:37 GMT -5
Hi Cul-Ann, AO is cheaper than CO.( Cerium Oxide). For tumbling I usually use AO. If I don't get a good polish with AO, then I usualy use Tin Oxide. Daniel
|
|
darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
|
Post by darrad on Nov 19, 2008 20:34:40 GMT -5
I have experienced that CO works better on softer stuff (3 1/2 - 5) AO on 6-7 and TO on harder but that is just me in my tumbling ways.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Nov 19, 2008 20:34:39 GMT -5
Cerium was the standard for agates/jaspers for many years and works well. The aluminum oxides (in good quality) work as well or better and generally work on a broader range of rocks. I also just learned AO is non-toxic and cerium is "mildly toxic".
|
|
Roan
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2008
Posts: 600
|
Post by Roan on Nov 19, 2008 22:30:06 GMT -5
I have experienced that CO works better on softer stuff (3 1/2 - 5) AO on 6-7 and TO on harder but that is just me in my tumbling ways. I'd read as such and was using CO for softees in my rotary. Apparently, though, it breaks down too fast in a vibe so AO et al is recommended instead. |
|
docharber
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2008
Posts: 716
|
Post by docharber on Nov 20, 2008 14:33:44 GMT -5
I think one of the confusing things about these polishes is that cerium oxide seems to be available in a more uniform grade/particle size. I love it for almost everything, but it is expensive, and tin oxide even more so. The alumina products seem to be available in a wide variety of grades and formulations, some very good products from all accounts, others not so good. There are ecopnomy grades with alumina based content, whatever that means, to Linde A and B. The latter is made of smaller particles than Linde A. I have used an economy grade alumina of quartz materials and prefer the cerium oxide. The better alumina products, I have no experience with. I don't know brands and content as well as the other board members and woukld really like to know where they get their products. By the way, cerium is cardiotoxic if injected so don't shoot up on tumbling polish. It's been used for decades in the glass making industry as a polish for plate glass and there are no real problems associated with this use. Some of you may remember the controversy about aluminum cookware and dementia, and I'm sure someone has or will attack other aluminum products eventually. The aluminum issue id debunked, by the way. I think it was just a plot by stainless steel cookware makers to get folks to buy their overpriced stainless cookware. I still have my amalgam fillings, thank uyou very much- that was a scam by the dental industry (that's what it is) to get us to replace our safe, durable, cheap amalgam fillings with porcelain that chips and breaks readily, and generates way more revenues for dentists in replacement costs. I occasionally run mercury levels in folks with neurological problems with and without mouthfulls of amalgam fillings and I don't see differences in mercury levels in the two groups, and the levels are always very low.
Mark H.
|
|
