High polish on Rhodocrosite

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello, all! I’m a 42 year old rockhound. I recently aquired a
cabbing wheel and a trim saw so I could shape my own stones and gems
to use in my beadwork - could never find exactly what I needed at
shows.

Can anyone tell me the best method to get a high polish on
rhodocrosite (massive)?

Thanks!
Elena

2

Elena,

After many years of trial and error, I have found the best way to
polish rhodocrosite is on a stitched cotton muslin buff with ZAM. It
is best if the polisher runs at 3450 but any speed will do a great
job taken time.

By the way, ZAM will also polish malachite and turquoise just as
well.

Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
elegance IS fine jewelry!

3 
    Can anyone tell me the best method to get a high polish on
rhodocrosite (massive)?

If you’re using a cabbing machine that has a felt or leather buff,
look for a polishing medium called “Holy Cow.” If you can’t find
that, try optical grade cerium oxide.

If you have a buffer, use Zam. It’s excellent for softer materials.

James in SoFl

4

remember though like malachite, Rhodochrosite has soft veining,
unless you are talking about flawless rho. softer belts tend to dig
the soft stuff 0ut before giving an even finish. the polishing
agents the Doctor prescribes are fine. For Afgan lapis I have used
50,000 mesh diamond on pasteboard with great sucess.

robert
www.robertwhiteside.com

5

Robert,

With due respect to your comment about flawless rho, I have polished
hundreds of rhos using the ZAM/ cotton buff method described and
never encountered a serious undercut. I assure you I do not always
work with flawless rho though I do try to use ‘the good stuff’.
Ditto on malachite. I suggest a person not sure of the best method
should use each and judge for themselves. Sorry for any disagreement
but didn’t want anyone to get the impression that ZAM might ruin
their prize rho!

Also, Holy Cow is now always available and can be quite
expensive…though a little bit goes a long way. I use it for
particularly difficult to polish stones and, Docktor is right, it
does a great job. ZAM, on the other hand, is readily available as are
cotton buffs.

Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
elegance IS fine jewelry! @coralnut2

6

I wasn’t referring to the polishing media, sorry for the
misunderstanding, I was referring to the lap or media carrier. I
used to do veneering of malachite and tigers eye circular and
rectangular table tops. Some were as large as 6 feet in length. So,
I am used to big problems. Most all the Rho I have ever used had the
whitish banding but still with translucent intense pink banding.

Good comments.
Robert

7

Robert,

A malachite or tiger eye table top? Oh my! Now that is something
I would LOVE to see. Are there any pictures you can share with us?

8

Dawn,

    A malachite or tiger eye table top? Oh my! Now that is
something I would LOVE to see. Are there any pictures you can share
with us?

I have a couple of pics from the past I might be able to send.

Robert
www.robertwhiteside.com

9 
Can anyone tell me the best method to get a high polish on
rhodocrosite (massive)?

rhodochrosite - diamond 50,000/100,000 mesh with vinegar spray if
the material is cracked, otherwise if no fractures cerium/ vinegar
mixture

but, if you mean rhodonite, then polish w/14,000 diamond or cerium
on leather

Mark Zirinsky,
Denver

PEMED
6035 E 38th Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80207
USA

http://www.surgicaltable.com
http://www.used-medical-equipments.com
http://www.used-medical-supply.com