sschus87
starting to shine!
Member since November 2015
Posts: 49
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Post by sschus87 on Mar 24, 2016 22:03:11 GMT -5
I just picked up a bunch of Lake Superior agates from a friend as well as about 50 of some nice rough that I am going to spend the next 6 months polishing. In addition he gave me a bag of what appears to be cerium oxide. That's what he said it was. I haven't used it. There is about 8 pounds of this in all. Can anyone tell me by looking at these pictures if it is of a decent polish quality? As always, your help is appreciated!! Thanks---Steve
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Post by pauls on Mar 27, 2016 0:50:10 GMT -5
I think the only way to know for sure is to use some, whatever it is its unlikely to ruin your rocks and if it doesn't do what you want just go back to your normal polish. I have a couple of bottles of white powder labelled "polish" from deceased estates, one works a treat and I am fairly sure its Al Oxide, the other doesn't and I have no idea what it is.
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Post by manofglass on Mar 27, 2016 1:13:00 GMT -5
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MrCoffee
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2005
Posts: 634
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Post by MrCoffee on Mar 27, 2016 22:07:38 GMT -5
Cerium oxide can be used for polishing in a rotary tumbler, but the method is extremely inefficient and expensive. I use a Lot-O vibrating tumbler with Rapid Polish (a very affordable aluminum oxide polish), and have always turned out excellent results. Cerium oxide will not work in a vibratory tumbler, from my experience. Save that cerium oxide for when you can afford to buy a new combination unit. It is great for cabochons and face polishing agates, and you won't need to use nearly as much of it.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,562
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Post by jamesp on Mar 28, 2016 5:44:15 GMT -5
Unlabeled abrasives a problem. No ideas for you.
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 564
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Post by vwfence on Mar 28, 2016 9:33:20 GMT -5
I use the cerium oxide on a flat felt pad for polishing jasper cabs
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 28, 2016 13:07:40 GMT -5
I would guess it is cerium. Hard to say from photo but maybe optical grade. It will work on any hard stones on leather or felt buffs. Standard cerium was the cheapest polish when I started and was usually the first polish tried. Prices went way up a few years ago but dropped back to about half the peak. The local rare earth mineral mine went under after price dropped.
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