Hello all,

Does anyone know what is a good polishing compound to use?

As for polishing hard stones on a lapidary wheel "Diamond Spray" is what I think you should look at for effective stone polish.

For our cabochons and tumbling final polish we've found that we like the tin oxide best for the polish and cost over all.

In the tumbling of course it's just added in as any other step for the tumbler process then finalized with a soapy soft tumble to wash afterward.

With the 6" cabbing machine we have used diamond pastes (similar to sprays Mike mentioned) to extend the life of our two diamond impregnated vinyl pre-polish wheels (1200 and 3000 grit) when they get worn down heavily. Then we use the tin oxide for final polish on a soft back leather pad.....moisten the leather polish pad well and frequently with a spray bottle. Using the stone to polish, apply a generous "dab" of tin oxide mud that you've pre-moistened and stirred up. Then just work the polish with the stone into the leather as it spins but remember to re-moisten and re-apply more tin oxide when needed as you work the stone.

Faceters would use the diamond pastes or sprays as well on faceted gems....those pastes grits go as fine as 100,000 I think for a really high polish.

Depending on what you are polishing and using to polish there are some options for sure. Here is a link to Kingsley North where we've bought our polish medias in the past, show's a great selection of different ones.