tags: #publish links: [[Gemstone Faceting equipment]] created: 2022-12-07 Wed]] --- # Matrix lap From Gearloose. Ceramic-polymer composite **polishing lap**, harder than [[Darkside lap]], less hard than [[Diamax lap]]. Pick this over "regular" ceramic, more forgiving. For medium soft to medium hard stones (5-9). Diamond or oxide. 60k typical, or 100k. Wipe with oil, wipe clean, charge. Low pressure, use almost dry, moderate speed 150-300rpm (or slow 10-60rpm, opinions vary!). Polish only, not pre-polish. Careful about heat generation - less thermally conductive and higher friction than Darkside, more prone to heating. So, use less pressure than Darkside or BATT: Too much pressure will round corners. Light pressure gives flat facets and less heating. "Zero vertical pressure" some say. "60k Diastik, enough for the lap to look sky blue, but not enough for there to be goop" Try oiling the stone directly Thread with lots of tips and details: https://www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=17447 Another: https://www.gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=17249 ![[Matrix lap - label.jpg]]