[Rockhounds] Thai rubies

[tjokela at execulink.com]

>> That would take some off, but the rubie/sapphire pieces are rough.
> Tumbling would not remove the coating from the crevices.
>>
>> > please answer my original question -- how do I get it off!!


 Do you have access to basic lapidary equipment? To remove the visible 
 material (you won't be able to remove the internal material doing the 
 actual crack-filling) you must grind and polish. A cabochon machine will 
 do this quite efficiently.

 Barring access to that, a rotary tool with diamond bits will do the 
 job, albeit slowly. Progress through the usual stages of diamond grit, 
 and then polish. You can buy sets of bits embedded with graded diamond 
 powder, or, conceivably, make your own with buck a carat diamond, heavy 
 grease, and hardwood or bamboo skewers. Do all grinding wet, protect 
 your eyes, and give some thought to the unhappy consequences of 
 electricity combining with water.

 Hope this answers your question.