[Source] Prepolish agent for tumbling agate

Jewelry Discussion
1

I am looking for a source for Sissa (sp.?). This is a white powder
that I have used as a pre polish for tumbling agate. This seems to
work very well when I then use cerium oxide as the polish. My supply
came from my brothers estate and I did not know his source. (I think
I read his notes correctly for the name of this material.)

Are there any companies that still sell this material?

Larry E. Whittington
http://www.jewelrycabs.com

2 
I am looking for a source for Sissa (sp.). This is a white powder
that I have used as a pre polish for tumbling agate. This seems to
work very well when I then use cerium oxide as the polish. My
supply came from my brothers estate and I did not know his source.
(I think I read his notes correctly for the name of this material.)

The spelling is SISA, and you’ll find a few suppliers if you search
Google. Lortone seems to be the pre-eminent source. I have a bag in
the garage, and vaguely remember that it was an acronym for Silica
something. Information seems hard to come by.

One non-authoritative reference says it’s powdered quartz. But the
same reference says tripoli is also powdered quartz.

Bedrock Supply lists “SISA pre-polish aluminum oxide.” I don’t think
I’d trust that description.

If you find out what it is, please let us know.

Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

3 
Bedrock Supply lists "SISA pre-polish aluminum oxide." I don't
think I'd trust that description.

I’ve never heard of SISA. I have 22 micron Alumina oxide that I use
for pre-polish. I have had the same results with 1000 grit Silicon
carbide as a pre-polish.

I use sub-micron Alumina oxide for my final polish. I’ll mention
that I do all my final grinding and polishing in vibratory tumblers
so YMMV.

Rick Copeland
Silversmith and Lapidary Artisan
rockymountainwonders.com

4

I have found out that Lortone no longer sells this product but I
have not received a reply as to what they sell or recommend as a
replacement.

I am still searching for a dealer who has some for sale.

I guess I could run my 220 grit for one extra week or so and then
straight to the polish and see how it turns out.

Larry E. Whittington
http://www.jewelrycabs.com

5 
I am still searching for a dealer who has some for sale. Listed by
Bedrock Supply, www.bedrocksupply.com,780-434-2040. They're in
Canada, though.

I suspect it’s available under another name, if we just knew what it
really is [g].

Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ