Dull Malachite after buffing

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi All, after setting malachite cabs, I notice scratches from
the bezel roller . . . how do I remove these without removing the
shine on the cab? ( I usually end up with a dull looking stone,
so I don’t like setting those things.) Any suggestions would be
greatly appreciated.

(I use buffing compound - baige looking stuff, then Zam . . . I
also have Fabuluster . . .do I need something else?)

2

Zam will cut soft materials like malachite and turquoise. If you
use a hard felt buff with zam you should be able to remove the
sratches. It will also leave a good polish.

Steve Howard

3

First, try not to scratch up the stone. Covering the top of the
stone up to the bezel with masking tape (easy-remove for painters
type) will prevent light scratches and buffing burns.

To repair, if there are only surface scratches, I have used
Fabulustre on a loose muslin buff in a Dremel on slow speed. A
light touch and constant movement will take out those scratches.
K.P.

4 
   Zam will cut soft materials like malachite and turquoise.
If you use a hard felt buff with zam you should be able to
remove the sratches. It will also leave a good polish.

Malachite is really easy to repolish. White diamond tripoli
will smooth it, if your other compounds haven’t done so already.
Zam may be all you need for that. It will polish pretty well too.
For a super polish, use a little Red rouge on a soft muslin
wheel, just don’t use too much, and use a light touch. Be sure
not to work it longer than needed, or it will undercut along the
banding, giving you a banded surface texture. Will still have
the high polish, though, and sometimes that slight texture is
actually attractivel…

Peter