Howdy list, I’ve been working on an amatrine(sp) pendent, cut
free form. I have been working with hardwood points and diamond
paste, in the fashion described by Henry Hunt in the book,
Lapidary Carving for Creative Jewelry.I have worked through all
the grits from 325 to 14000, I would like to know if I need to go
on and use 50,000 grit paste or will it make any difference. A
friend told me that the 50,000 was not needed, it would not make
any difference in the way the finished product looks. Is this
true or will I get a better polish if I go ahead and do the extra
step. Any input on this will be welcomed thanks jerry
Jerry said,
I have worked through all the grits from 325 to 14000, I would like to know if I need to go on and use 50,000 grit paste or will it make any difference. A friend told me that the 50,000 was not needed, it would not make any difference in the way the finished product looks.
Don’t know what the optic effects would be on a carved piece,
but on faceted stones polishing with 100,000 makes a world of
difference.
Dave
Hi Jerry! As one cutter to another would you be satisfied if you
left it at the stage that it is at? What does it look like under
magnification? I try to achieve the best possible finish on a
surface. I have been using 50K diamond grit and am going to go to
100k for some of the stones. If you have a high quality Ametrine
pendant then don’t you want to put the best possible finish on
the stone. The smoother the finish the deeper into the stone
that light enters and returns to your eye. A rough finish
disperses the light so that the inclusions or internal structure
is not as apparent. Study the stone carefully. Use oil of cinnamon
to study some of the internal stucture and decide if you want it
to be visible. Above all make a conscious decision about what YOU
want to do. Advice is only that. Ed Ward Ward’s Stone Creations