Diamond Faceting Laps – Sintered, Standard, Channel & Ripple Laps

Professional diamond faceting laps for every stage of gemstone faceting — from coarse pre-forming to ultra-fine polishing. Our range covers sintered diamond laps, standard electroplated laps, channel laps, and ripple laps in 6" and 8" sizes for all faceting machines and gem materials.

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Related Tools

• Diamond Faceting Laps — standard, sintered, channel, and ripple laps for all gem types
• Sintered Diamond Laps — long-life metal bond laps for hard gem materials (sapphire, ruby, topaz)
• Tin Polishing Laps — final mirror polishing of faceted gems with diamond compound
• Zinc Laps — pre-polish and polishing with diamond powder and oxide compounds
• Phenolic Laps — smooth resin surface for high-gloss finishing
• Leather Polishing Pads — premium final polish for faceted gemstones
• Diamond Polishing Compounds — 400–80,000 grit paste for lap charging and mirror finish
• Master Support Laps — aluminium and screwback laps for faceting machine disc mounting
• Magnetic Quick-Change Backing Plates — instant disc swapping between grit stages
• Faceting Machines — precision machines to pair with these laps
• Dop Wax — secure gemstones to dop sticks for faceting and grinding

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the recommended lap sequence for faceting a quartz gemstone?
  A: For quartz (hardness 7): start with a 260–325 grit sintered or standard diamond lap for pre-forming, move to 600–1200 grit for smoothing facets, then 3000–8000 grit for pre-polish, and finish on a tin or zinc lap charged with 14,000–50,000 grit diamond compound for mirror polish.
• Q: What is the difference between channel and ripple faceting laps?
  A: Channel laps have straight grooves that channel swarf (grinding debris) away from the cutting surface, improving consistency on abrasive stones. Ripple laps have a wave-pattern texture that provides similar swarf clearance with slightly different cutting characteristics — both are preferred for hard, abrasive gem varieties over standard flat laps.
• Q: Which faceting lap is best for beginners?
  A: A standard diamond faceting lap (600 grit) is the best starting point for beginners — it cuts consistently across most gem materials and is forgiving of technique variations. Pair it with a tin or zinc polishing lap and diamond compound for a complete beginner setup.
• Q: Are these faceting laps compatible with all faceting machines?
  A: Our laps are available in 6" and 8" sizes to fit the two most common faceting machine master lap diameters. Always verify your machine’s master lap size and thread (right or left hand) before ordering. Use a master support lap or screwback adapter if needed.
• Q: How do I charge a tin or zinc lap for polishing?
  A: Apply a small amount of diamond compound (14,000–50,000 grit) to the lap surface and spread evenly with a finger or soft cloth. Run the lap at low speed and press the gemstone facet lightly against the surface. Re-charge sparingly as needed — over-charging reduces polishing efficiency.
• Q: How long do sintered diamond faceting laps last compared to standard laps?
  A: Sintered diamond laps have a 5mm diamond matrix that self-sharpens as it wears, typically lasting 5–10× longer than standard electroplated laps. They are the preferred choice for professional faceting of hard gem materials (sapphire, ruby, topaz, spinel) where consistent cutting over long sessions is required.