[Jewelry making - Article 01219] - Re: [Orchid] Polishing tricky area

[leonid Surpin]

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    The reason I mentioned easy solder is because assembling of polished
    components is the last stage. Also, pieces to be assembled must
    engage mechanically. The solder is only playing part in preventing
    disengagement. The structural load is carried by the joint design.
    Then the small amount of solder is absorbed by the joint and will
    not flow second time. 

    To understand Beilby layer: 

    Polishing is accomplished not through the process of abrasion, but
    through the smoothing the surface irregularities via heat and
    pressure generated by polishing wheel. The result is a very thin
    amorphous layer which is called Beilby layer in honor of the
    scientist who first proposed it's existence. If we polish an article
    via tumbling, or using modern hi-tech wheel, the Beilby layer cannot
    be achieved because these methods using very fine abrasives but do
    not generate heat and pressure required. 

    The best wheel for obtaining quality polish is walrus skin, but
    nowadays it is probably illegal to buy one. 

    Lapidaries are very familiar with Beilby layer. Cerium oxide is
    primary polishing agent in polishing Amethyst but it's hardness is
    much lower. 

    When we evaluate quality of the finish on the gemstone, we evaluate
    quality of Beilby layer. 

Leonid Surpin.
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