Which type of diamond faceting lap should I choose as a beginner?

Start with standard flat laps — most versatile, all grits available, compatible with all machines. A basic set in 180, 360, 600, 1200 grit plus a tin lap and diamond compound covers most beginner needs.

What is the complete faceting lap sequence for a standard gemstone?

60-80 grit shaping → 120-180 refinement → 220-360 geometry → 600-1200 pre-polish → tin/zinc lap with 14,000-80,000 grit diamond compound for final mirror polish.

Are all diamond faceting laps compatible with my faceting machine?

All laps have 1/2" arbor holes, compatible with Graves, Ultra Tec, Facetron, Raytech, and most major brands. Verify your machine's lap diameter (6" or 8") before ordering.

How do I choose between 6" and 8" faceting laps?

Match the lap diameter to your machine's specifications. 8" provides more working surface for larger gems. Always verify your machine's required lap diameter before ordering.

When should I switch from diamond faceting laps to polishing laps?

Switch after 600-1200 grit pre-polish when no visible scratches remain under 10x magnification. Polishing over scratches results in poor final finish — return to diamond laps if scratches remain.

Collection: Diamond Faceting Laps

Diamond Faceting Laps – Complete Range of Standard, Channel, Ripple & Sintered Laps

Complete range of diamond faceting laps for all gemstone faceting applications — from entry-level hobbyist to professional high-volume faceting. Available in four surface designs (standard flat, channel grooved, ripple wave-pattern, and sintered) in 6" and 8" diameters across grit 60 to 3000. All laps feature 1/2" arbor holes for compatibility with all standard faceting machines including Graves, Ultra Tec, Facetron, and Raytech.

🔥 Shop Diamond Faceting Laps – From $20.00

Lap Type Comparison

Type	Surface	6" Price	8" Price	Best For
Standard Flat	Flat, uninterrupted diamond	$27.00	$40.00	All-round faceting, maximum contact area, versatile grit range
Channel	Precision-cut grooves	$20.00	—	Wet faceting, improved coolant flow, extended lap life
Ripple	Wave-pattern texture	$65.00	$75.00	Fine faceting, reduced stone chatter, delicate gem work
Sintered	Diamond throughout matrix	$250.00	$415.00	Professional high-volume faceting, maximum service life

Grit Selection Guide

Grit	Stage	Application
60–80	Coarse shaping	Initial facet cutting, rapid material removal on rough gem material
120–180	Medium shaping	Facet refinement, removing coarse grinding scratches
220–360	Fine shaping	Precise facet geometry, surface smoothing before pre-polish
600–1200	Pre-polish	Scratch removal, surface preparation for polishing laps
1500–3000	Fine pre-polish	Near-polish surface quality before final metal lap polish stage

Compatible Gemstones

Quartz family: amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, rose quartz (Mohs 7)
Topaz (Mohs 8), tourmaline (Mohs 7–7.5), beryl/aquamarine (Mohs 7.5–8)
Sapphire and ruby (Mohs 9), garnet (Mohs 6.5–7.5), peridot (Mohs 6.5–7)
All standard faceting gem materials (Mohs 5–9)

Related Tools

Tin Polishing Laps — Soft metal laps for final mirror polish with diamond compound after faceting sequence
Zinc Laps — Metal laps for pre-polish stages on hard gemstones
Diamond Lapping Compound — Diamond paste for charging metal polishing laps
Master Support Laps — Precision flat support laps for faceting machine lap mounting
Faceting Machines — Complete faceting machine units compatible with all lap types
Dop Wax — Lapidary dopping wax for mounting gemstones to dop sticks during faceting

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which type of diamond faceting lap should I choose as a beginner?
A: For beginners, start with standard flat diamond laps — they are the most versatile, widely available in all grits, and compatible with all faceting machines. A basic set of 6" standard laps in 180, 360, 600, and 1200 grit covers most beginner faceting needs. Add a tin polishing lap and diamond compound for the final polish stage. As your skills develop, you can add channel or ripple laps for specific applications.
Q: What is the complete faceting lap sequence for a standard gemstone?
A: A complete faceting sequence: (1) 60–80 grit for initial shaping from rough, (2) 120–180 grit for facet refinement, (3) 220–360 grit for precise geometry, (4) 600–1200 grit for pre-polish, (5) tin or zinc polishing lap with 14,000–80,000 grit diamond compound for final mirror polish. Not all stages are required for every gem — start at the appropriate grit based on your starting material.
Q: Are all diamond faceting laps compatible with my faceting machine?
A: All laps in this collection feature 1/2" arbor holes, compatible with virtually all standard faceting machines including Graves, Ultra Tec, Facetron, Raytech, and most other major brands. Always verify your machine's lap diameter (6" or 8") before ordering. Some machines may require specific lap thicknesses — check your machine's specifications if you have concerns.
Q: How do I choose between 6" and 8" faceting laps?
A: Choose 6" laps for standard faceting machines designed for 6" laps, smaller gem sizes, and when working space is limited. Choose 8" laps for machines designed for 8" laps, larger gem sizes, and when you want more working surface area for consistent facet angles. Always match the lap diameter to your machine's specifications.
Q: When should I switch from diamond faceting laps to polishing laps?
A: Switch to polishing laps (tin or zinc) after completing the pre-polish stage on your diamond laps (typically 600–1200 grit). The surface should be free of visible scratches under 10× magnification before switching to polishing laps. Attempting to polish over visible scratches will result in a poor final finish — return to the appropriate diamond lap grit if scratches remain.