Kolekcja: Zinc Laps

Professional zinc polishing laps for pre-polish stages in gemstone faceting. Zinc's medium hardness holds diamond compound effectively, delivering controlled material removal and consistent surface quality between the diamond grinding lap sequence and the final tin lap polish stage. Particularly effective for hard gemstones (Mohs 7+) where a dedicated pre-polish stage is needed to remove fine grinding scratches before final mirror polishing. Available in 6" ($60.00) and 8" ($90.00). Compatible with all standard faceting machines.

🔥 Shop Zinc Polishing Laps – From $60.00

Available Sizes & Pricing

Metal Lap Comparison Guide

Compatible Applications

• Pre-polish stage for hard gemstones: sapphire, topaz, tourmaline, beryl (Mohs 7+)
• Intermediate polishing stage between diamond grinding laps and tin final polish
• Removing fine scratches from 600–1200 grit diamond lap stage
• Compatible with all standard faceting machines (6" and 8" lap sizes)

Related Tools

• Tin Polishing Laps — Soft metal laps for final mirror polish stage after zinc pre-polish
• Diamond Lapping Compound — Diamond paste for charging zinc laps (3,000–14,000 grit recommended)
• Standard Faceting Laps — Diamond grinding laps for shaping stages before zinc pre-polish
• Sintered Diamond Laps — Long-life sintered laps for high-volume faceting before polishing sequence
• Channel Faceting Laps — Grooved diamond laps for wet faceting before pre-polish stage
• Master Support Laps — Precision flat support laps for faceting machine compatibility

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What diamond compound grit should I use on a zinc polishing lap?
  A: Use 3,000–14,000 grit diamond compound on a zinc lap for the pre-polish stage. This removes fine scratches from the 600–1200 grit diamond grinding lap stage and prepares the gem surface for final mirror polishing on a tin lap with 14,000–80,000 grit compound. Apply a small amount of compound to the lap surface and work at consistent speed with light pressure.
• Q: What is the difference between zinc and tin polishing laps?
  A: Zinc laps are harder than tin laps and are used for the pre-polish stage — removing fine grinding scratches and preparing the gem surface for final polishing. Tin laps are softer and are used for the final mirror polish stage with ultra-fine diamond compound (14,000–80,000 grit). The typical sequence is: diamond grinding laps → zinc pre-polish → tin final polish.
• Q: Do I need a zinc lap, or can I go directly from diamond laps to a tin polishing lap?
  A: For softer gem materials (Mohs 5–7) and when using fine pre-polish grits (1200–3000) on diamond laps, you can often go directly to a tin lap without a zinc pre-polish stage. For harder gems (Mohs 7+) and when transitioning from coarser diamond laps (600 grit), a zinc pre-polish stage significantly improves final polish quality by removing residual scratches that tin laps cannot efficiently eliminate.
• Q: How do I charge a zinc lap with diamond compound?
  A: Apply a small amount of 3,000–14,000 grit diamond compound to the zinc lap surface. Use a hard plastic or metal tool to press and spread the compound into the lap surface — this embeds the diamond particles into the zinc for more consistent cutting action. Run the lap at low speed with light pressure for the first few minutes to work the compound in before faceting.
• Q: How do I clean a zinc lap between different compound grits?
  A: Clean zinc laps thoroughly between grit changes to prevent cross-contamination. Wipe the lap surface with a clean cloth dampened with water or isopropyl alcohol to remove compound residue. Inspect under magnification to ensure no coarser grit particles remain before applying the next compound grade. Dedicate separate laps to each compound grit stage for best results.