Trylobyte
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 101
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Post by Trylobyte on Nov 14, 2003 16:34:33 GMT -5
I'm slowly working my way through the art of rock rolling, and wonder if I can reuse the cerium oxide I have in my current batch. It has turned just slightly pasty and foamy after 5 days, with the consistancy of perhaps light buttermilk, that I believe is the proper consistancy, and the rocks - mixed agate and red jasper - are looking excellent. At $10 bones a lb, this would be nicely economical to do 2-3 polishes on one charge...
I have 4 rollers, and it'd be nice to just remove the stones from polish, and place the next batch in there without recharging. If one batch comes out nice, you'd think that there's no contamination.
I rinse thoroughly and do a 24 hour ivory wash between phases 3 and 4.
Any thoughts?
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SirRoxalot
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2003
Posts: 790
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Post by SirRoxalot on Nov 15, 2003 11:22:56 GMT -5
Most folks say you can't reuse polish, and I have to agree. However, at least one book I've read says you can reuse it, strain it out thru cheescloth. If you're running batches of similar hardness I could see it being a possibility, but if you're going from agate to something soft I think there would be contamination problems. My best suggestion would be to experiment. Hopefully somebody on the board can provide input from personal experience.
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Post by docone31 on Nov 16, 2003 22:17:32 GMT -5
I have thinned out the cerium oxide with aluminum oxide in the final polish phase. I agree, it is expensive however the stones I do it with I delegate for higher quality jewelery. I facet and polish with a leather buff with cerium. It works well with that medium, especialy on the harder stones. I have seperated stones on final, with cerium, and put in an half charge to boost up the cerium. I have put fresh stones in for final polish and ended up repolishing them. I only use three pounders so my consumption is minimal.
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