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Old 17 April 2009, 01:14 PM   #1
SUB4Me
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Can A Mineral Crystal be Buffed?

I have a small scratch not sure how it happened.
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Old 17 April 2009, 01:46 PM   #2
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In most cases, no, you will have to buy a new crystal. There have been posts about some kind of polishing compound, but in my experience, you are out of luck.
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Old 17 April 2009, 01:47 PM   #3
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Probably the diamond from your wife's wedding ring. That is one theory as to how this happens.

No, I don't believe they can be buffed. But others may know more than I do about it.
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Old 17 April 2009, 02:36 PM   #4
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I could do with knowing if there's a solution to this problem (apart from a new crystal of course, one of the benefits of a plexi - they get changed every service as part of the deal - not so with SS crystals)....my DD has a very very slight scratch, it actually only shows up in certain light but I know it's there....you all know how that feels.....
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Old 17 April 2009, 02:56 PM   #5
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Otto Frei carries a crystal polishing cream. I have never tryed it, but have read posts from others who seem to like it. You have nothing to lose, I'd check it out.
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Old 17 April 2009, 02:59 PM   #6
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Otto Frei carries a crystal polishing cream. I have never tryed it, but have read posts from others who seem to like it. You have nothing to lose, I'd check it out.
Nothing to lose? Besides ruining the finish and making it much worse...
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Old 17 April 2009, 03:14 PM   #7
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For the OP - what do you mean by mineral crystal? Is it sapphire, glass, or acrylic?

Either way, it CAN be buffed - they all can. How do you think they originally buff them at the factory? They don't magically show up all shiny and scratch free after being cut out from a big slab of synthetic corundum (saphhire).

The question is - which jeweler has the right equipment for buffing sapphire or glass? Most of them don't have this kind of equipment - so you're better of just getting a new crystal.
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Old 17 April 2009, 03:22 PM   #8
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Not sure on the cost there but I know it is significant enough for them to not include it in the service......I did enquire how much a new crystal would add to the bill when I last put my DD in for service, I can't remember the quoted figure but it was high enough to make putting up with the very minor scratch on mine bearable....like I said I can only see it in certain light and it so infrequently happens I almost forget it's there.....almost....
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Old 17 April 2009, 06:08 PM   #9
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Not sure on the cost there but I know it is significant enough for them to not include it in the service......I did enquire how much a new crystal would add to the bill when I last put my DD in for service, I can't remember the quoted figure but it was high enough to make putting up with the very minor scratch on mine bearable....like I said I can only see it in certain light and it so infrequently happens I almost forget it's there.....almost....
Looks like I will have to live with it then.
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Old 17 April 2009, 08:03 PM   #10
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A new crystal will cost you around $150.
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Old 17 April 2009, 08:11 PM   #11
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Hey Scott....that doesn't sound so bad......wonder if I was quoted wrong or if it's just cheaper in the USA?.....maybe the model of case makes a big difference....mine was for a 1984 DD....are you quoting for something different or do you think that's any model?
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Old 17 April 2009, 08:56 PM   #12
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Hey Scott....that doesn't sound so bad......wonder if I was quoted wrong or if it's just cheaper in the USA?.....maybe the model of case makes a big difference....mine was for a 1984 DD....are you quoting for something different or do you think that's any model?
It really should not be that different based on the model, what were you quoted? Was a service included in your initial quote?
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Old 17 April 2009, 08:53 PM   #13
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Well truth be told now with modern abrasives yes you can remove scratches from sapphire and mineral crystals.Yes believe it or not they do scratch,you will need some good quality diamond paste. I have used 3 micron to remove the main scratch going across the scratch first,it takes a fair bit of elbow grease.Just a tiny bit on a cloth like a spectacles cloth or similar.Then just a fine polish after with the quarter micron,and scratch will be gone,and good as new. Cost for the two tubes in the UK around £20 but will last for ages,and I expect far cheaper out of the UK.And a lot cheaper than a new crystal takes a bit of time,but if scratch is very deep then it should replace.
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Old 17 April 2009, 09:05 PM   #14
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Scott....I was quoted and it was tacked onto a service price, however I declined the new crystal, I cannot for the life of me remember what the quote was so I can't really compare with what you said....all I see to remember thinking at the time is "wow that's a lot more money to get rid of a scratch I only notice once every three months or so"......essentially I took my DD in for service for one single reason, the threads were seriously going on the crown, it popped out after around quarter of a turn, not good, I just started to panic that it would pop out whilst in the shower (oo er matron!) or worse still whilst swimming.....it was an after thought really getting the crystal replaced......think I might try some of this diamond paste stuff mentioned above....if I do I will post results
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