[Jewelry making - Article 00176] - Re: [Orchid] Restoring finish to opal

[Greg DeMark]

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Barb,

    Opal is one of the easiest gems to restore a polish to.  First make
    sure it is a solid Opal and not a triplet with a Quartz top.  If it
    is a solid opal simply wet sand it lightly with very fine Waterproof
    Silicon Carbide Sandpaper. Try starting with 1500 grit. Make sure you
    keep the Opal wet. After lightly sanding it rinse and dry it to check
    the surface.  If the scratches are too deep for this fine paper drop
    down in grit and ten work back up to the 1500.  Sand in different
    directions.  Once you have the scratches removed take a new and clean
    cotton wheel and place in your Flexshaft.  Charge the wheel with
    Cerium Oxide mixed with water to Polish the surface of the stone. 
    Keep the stone wet and the Cerium Oxide should be mixed so as not to
    be pasty. 

Good Luck
Greg DeMark
email: greg AT demarkjewelry.com
Website: www.demarkjewelry.com
Website: www.outdrs.net/~demark


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