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How to Polish Labradorite

Properly shaped and polished labradorite is one of mineralogy's hidden gems. Despite its simple chemical composition, plagioclase feldspar, labradorite, still shines--literally. Labradorite is one of a few unique minerals that exhibits labradoresence, an optical effect that causes blue and green metallic or pearly shimmers that seem to move as the specimen is turned. This property is best showcased in polished samples of labradorite, which are relatively easy to make yourself, provided you have the time, tools and raw materials.

Things You'll Need

Hammer or chisel
Sandpaper in varying grits (50, 150, 300, 600)
Rock tumbler
Cesium oxide
Polishing cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Break off any adhesions on your sample using a hammer or chisel. Shape the labradorite into the desired shape by chipping at it or rubbing it on concrete. Rough cutting and shaping are also done with a lapidary wheel.
- 2
  Smooth out the sample with 50-grit sandpaper and gradually work up to finer and finer grit sandpaper, using 150-, then 300- and finally 600-grit. By the last stage, you are no longer shaping the labradorite, but polishing out the scratches from the sandpaper itself.
- 3
  Use a rock tumbler. Follow your tumbler's specific instructions to put your sample through three grinds--a coarse (3 tbsp. of 60 to 90 grit for 7 days), medium (3 tbsp. of 110 to 220 grit for 7 days) and fine (3 tbsp. of 500 or 600 grit for 7 days)--making sure to wash thoroughly between each cycle.
- 4
  Polish your sample by rubbing it with a clean, soft cloth (leather or denim work well) and cerium oxide.

Rocks & Minerals