Good job as always... What do you think as to 60K diamond polishing compound? Why do u chose oxides instead? 60K for polishing is faster and more controllable, isn't it? What is your opinion? Thank you!
My opinion is that for Corundum (Sapphire and Ruby) use diamond to polish. For any stone you are having problems polishing, go to diamond to polish. But for most gemstones, my experience is that oxides do a better/quicker job of polishing. Some cutters that I know even say to NOT polish Quartz with diamond. My opinion is that Diamond will polish anything....but I find oxides better in many cases...the exception again is Corundum.
@@mikesackos2208 I use oxides as well.. But mostly bcs I am rely on common opinion... Nevertheless, diamonds work well, especially if you have some problem surface (some emeralds with different inner dencity)... So I guess it is just a habit... maybe
@@evgenyk.4681 Yes, I agree that a lot of my decisions on what lap or oxide/diamond to use is 'habit' or 'experience'. I have some 'go to' laps and oxides that I always start with for some gemstones...habit/experience. But that doesn't always work, as each stone is a bit different, depending on the mix of minerals that mother nature used in creating that piece of rough, so then you need to try something else...experiment. The opinion of other gem cutters is always a good place to start when you need to try something else as each cutter has his/her own preferences...and they work for them.
From my limited understanding of gem cutting, there is no one final polish type that is superior to the others . One stone may "like" alumina , another may "like" diamond compound , yet another may like cerium oxide or even a blend of oxides of the same mesh size. So professional cutters have several options to try . The zirconium oxide vs. Alumina (aluminum oxide) is an example of that very situation.
Do you have separate tin laps for your aluminum and chromium oxides or do only use dedicated laps for Diamond? I know you can scrub a Diamax lap (Gearloose) and switch, even between Diamond and oxides, but I believe that is a unique exception and may not apply to oxides on a metal lap?
Yes, I have two Tin Laps, one for Aluminum Oxide and one for Cerium Oxide. But if I experiment with any other oxides, like Zirconium or Chromium, I would have to use one of my existing two lap and scrub it good. I use one lap for each of my diamond grits, but I know several very accomplished gem cutters who use one lap and cleans it for each different diamond grit and says he has no issues. I also only use one side of my Batt Lap, but if I was just starting out, and could not afford all the laps I have now, I would have no problem using both sides of my Batt Laps. I also know that with a Ceramic lap you just scrub it between putting the different diamond or oxide on it. Now, only about 50% of the gem cutters who have bought a Ceramic lap, have been able to get it to work for them, but that 50% seems to love their Ceramic lap....I'm in the boat with the other 50%, who find the best use for a ceramic lap to be a doorstop. But back to your topic, my opinion is that you can clean laps between uses and you can use different oxides and diamond grits on the same lap...but I can assure you other cutters will disagree.
Beautiful cuts and beautiful color 😍
Thanks Tam!
Good job as always...
What do you think as to 60K diamond polishing compound?
Why do u chose oxides instead?
60K for polishing is faster and more controllable, isn't it?
What is your opinion?
Thank you!
My opinion is that for Corundum (Sapphire and Ruby) use diamond to polish. For any stone you are having problems polishing, go to diamond to polish. But for most gemstones, my experience is that oxides do a better/quicker job of polishing. Some cutters that I know even say to NOT polish Quartz with diamond. My opinion is that Diamond will polish anything....but I find oxides better in many cases...the exception again is Corundum.
@@mikesackos2208 I use oxides as well..
But mostly bcs I am rely on common opinion...
Nevertheless, diamonds work well, especially if you have some problem surface (some emeralds with different inner dencity)...
So I guess it is just a habit... maybe
@@evgenyk.4681 Yes, I agree that a lot of my decisions on what lap or oxide/diamond to use is 'habit' or 'experience'. I have some 'go to' laps and oxides that I always start with for some gemstones...habit/experience. But that doesn't always work, as each stone is a bit different, depending on the mix of minerals that mother nature used in creating that piece of rough, so then you need to try something else...experiment. The opinion of other gem cutters is always a good place to start when you need to try something else as each cutter has his/her own preferences...and they work for them.
@@mikesackos2208 thank u for your opinion..
Good talk🤝
From my limited understanding of gem cutting, there is no one final polish type that is superior to the others . One stone may "like" alumina , another may "like" diamond compound , yet another may like cerium oxide or even a blend of oxides of the same mesh size. So professional cutters have several options to try . The zirconium oxide vs. Alumina (aluminum oxide) is an example of that very situation.
Do you have separate tin laps for your aluminum and chromium oxides or do only use dedicated laps for Diamond? I know you can scrub a Diamax lap (Gearloose) and switch, even between Diamond and oxides, but I believe that is a unique exception and may not apply to oxides on a metal lap?
Yes, I have two Tin Laps, one for Aluminum Oxide and one for Cerium Oxide. But if I experiment with any other oxides, like Zirconium or Chromium, I would have to use one of my existing two lap and scrub it good. I use one lap for each of my diamond grits, but I know several very accomplished gem cutters who use one lap and cleans it for each different diamond grit and says he has no issues. I also only use one side of my Batt Lap, but if I was just starting out, and could not afford all the laps I have now, I would have no problem using both sides of my Batt Laps. I also know that with a Ceramic lap you just scrub it between putting the different diamond or oxide on it. Now, only about 50% of the gem cutters who have bought a Ceramic lap, have been able to get it to work for them, but that 50% seems to love their Ceramic lap....I'm in the boat with the other 50%, who find the best use for a ceramic lap to be a doorstop. But back to your topic, my opinion is that you can clean laps between uses and you can use different oxides and diamond grits on the same lap...but I can assure you other cutters will disagree.
5:28 I have a black diamond rough, real heavy for sale.
Best of luck to you!
I buy it
@@danielb27 I have pics too ..I'll email you