Difficulty polishing lapis cabochons

The only way I’ve been able to get a polish on Lapis is by using a
50,000 grit diamond belt on an expandable drum. Even at this grit
they’re fairly aggressive when new so get it broken in first. It
seems to me any stone with a waxed polish would loose that polish
with time and if subjected to steam cleaning or alcohol the loss
would be immediate.

Mark
Lapidary