{"title":"Ships During Tucson 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eGems of Science is in Tucson for the 2025 Gem Show (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/22ndstgem.show\/\"\u003e22nd Street, Booth C22\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFortunately, we made arrangements to make sure CutKits get shipped out while we're there, as well as some of our Greatest Hit Gems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese will become available during our first week of Tucson, and then ship throughout the show.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eItems in this collection will ship out, the rest of the inventory you will need to wait for\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cutkit-index-gears","title":"CutKit™ Index Gears","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese index gears fit the Vevor faceting machine used with the CutKit\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e™\u003c\/b\u003e as well as other similar faceting machines.  Each gear comes with a 4mm allen key for installation.  Machines usually come with a 96 degree already installed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndex gears are used to set the rotational angle while faceting.  The number of teeth on the index gear controls the type of symmetry you can cut into your stone.  The default is a 96 degree which allows for most classic cuts but does not have 5-fold, 7-fold or 9-fold symmetry.  This limits what you can cut on it.  For instance a D20 cut has 5-fold symmetry and an 80 degree gear is needed to cut it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSwitching the index gear on your machine is easy--a single bolt runs through the middle of the gear and holds it in place.  Make sure to tighten it well when you reinstall!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Turtle's Hoard","offers":[{"title":"64 Degree","offer_id":47901429432608,"sku":"CK_Gear_64","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"80 Degree","offer_id":47901429465376,"sku":"CK_Gear_80","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"72 Degree","offer_id":47901429498144,"sku":"CK_Gear_72","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"96 Degree","offer_id":47901429530912,"sku":"CK_Gear_96","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"120 Degree","offer_id":47901429563680,"sku":"CK_Gear_120","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/6794\/0384\/files\/gear.jpg?v=1711218632"},{"product_id":"faceting-dop-wax-low-and-high-temperature-princeton-and-covington","title":"Faceting Dop Wax and Glue","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are (in my opinion) the best two tools for attaching stones to dops: dop wax and uv-activated superglue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wax was made by Princeton, a hundred-year-old American company which recently went out of business, in their 'lapidary' formula with a melting temperature around 170f.  The small sticks are 4 inches long, the large sticks are 11 inches and weigh 1\/4 pound.   Both may come broken because it is brittle stuff, but this does not affect use.  They may come in black, red, buff or green but all are the same formula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSadly Princeton has recently gone out of business after over a century of waxmaking, and while succession is planned the details are not settled yet.  We bought out their remaining stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor superglue we recommend JB Weld Superweld.  It acts just like normal superglue except it sets almost instantly when exposed to UV light, and each tube comes with an attached LED.  This is especially easy for beginners, fast and clean.  Like wax it can also be released with heat, though it sometimes is reluctant to let go--pure acetone will remove it relatively quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote that superglue and wax can also be readily combined--by pressing a cold stone against warm wax you can make an exact impression which the stone can then be glued into.  This hybrid method can combine the advantages of both methods.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Turtle's Hoard","offers":[{"title":"1 small stick high temperature dopping wax","offer_id":47931628126496,"sku":"CK_Wax_Princeton_Small","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 large stick high temperature dopping wax","offer_id":47931671904544,"sku":"CK_Wax_Princeton_Large","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 tube JB Weld Superweld Superglue","offer_id":51004002631968,"sku":"CK_SuperWeld","price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/6794\/0384\/files\/20240326_170757.jpg?v=1711487802"},{"product_id":"dops-for-the-cutkit","title":"Dops for the CutKit 6mm Metal Faceting Dop","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are 6mm dop sticks for the CutKit\u003cspan\u003e™\u003c\/span\u003e.  They are available in a wide variety of sizes.  We finally got 6mm V dops!  These are great for any long design with a keel like emerald cuts, pixel cuts, long ovals and more!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote that some of the 8, 10 and 12mm cone dops are a bit rusty--this is an issue from the factory.  They still work just fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2mm flat dops have a slight divot in the middle--not 100% sure why but it will work just fine as a flat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Turtle's Hoard","offers":[{"title":"6mm V Dop (for long cuts)","offer_id":50222240792864,"sku":"CK_Dop_V_6","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2mm flat","offer_id":49066177790240,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_2","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2mm cone","offer_id":49066177823008,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_2","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5mm flat","offer_id":49066177888544,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_2.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2.5mm cone","offer_id":49066177921312,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_2.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3mm flat","offer_id":49066177954080,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_3","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3mm cone","offer_id":49066177986848,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_3","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.5mm flat","offer_id":49066178019616,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_3.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3.5mm cone","offer_id":49066178052384,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_3.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4mm flat","offer_id":49066178085152,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_4","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4mm cone","offer_id":49066178117920,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_4","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4.5mm flat","offer_id":49066178150688,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_4.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"4.5mm cone","offer_id":49066178183456,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_4.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5mm flat","offer_id":49066178216224,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5mm cone","offer_id":49066178248992,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5.5mm flat","offer_id":49066178281760,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_5.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5.5mm cone","offer_id":49066178314528,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_5.5","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"6mm flat","offer_id":49066178347296,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_6","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6mm cone","offer_id":49066178380064,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_6","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8mm flat","offer_id":49066178412832,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_8","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8mm cone","offer_id":49066178445600,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_8","price":6.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10mm flat","offer_id":49066178478368,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_10","price":7.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10mm cone","offer_id":49066178511136,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_10","price":7.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12mm flat","offer_id":49066178543904,"sku":"CK_Dop_Flat_12","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12mm cone","offer_id":49066178576672,"sku":"CK_Dop_Cone_12","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/6794\/0384\/files\/IMG_0011_9aae4d2f-7fae-46ea-a7c3-127c33e0e2a1.jpg?v=1723238130"},{"product_id":"polishing-sticks-for-cutkit","title":"Polishing Sticks for CutKit, Diamond and Oxides by Gearloose","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are prepolish and polishing compounds!  We have a few options and will probably add more since which polishbis best depends a lot on laps, materials and techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compound syringes are the most economical option--they can be applied directly to a lap without any extender, or used with oil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompounds from from Gearloose are generally considered the gold standard.  They last longer and work with water or oil as an extender\/dispersant.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8k and 60k diamond are perfect for general prepolish and polish respectively.  These are the two grits included in the kit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3k is ideal for quick prepolish of rubies and sapphires, especially nice for big stones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e30k diamond (ie 0.5 micron, sometimes called 50k depending who you ask) is a more aggressive final polish, moving facets a bit more while still leaving a great finish, this is my own preference for most stones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e13k polycrystalline gives a commercial polish (you can still catch light on the scratches but it's a good finish) and ideal for prepolishing moissanites which sometimes want to orange peel at 8k.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e14k Monocrystalline is very similar to 13k.  This is a common international standard polish for commercial cutting, very fast and easy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOxide polishes are used with a small amount of water.  They are often used with corian or other plastic laps--one trick is to use a CD with a surface fogged by acetone.  I have not tried this myself but they say it works.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChrome oxide is used for some softer gems, and is particularly favored for beryl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCerium oxide is a magic bullet for most silicates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZirconium oxide is considered especially great for quartz polishing, even better than cerium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Turtle's Hoard","offers":[{"title":"3k Diastik ( Sapphire Prepolish)","offer_id":49461178794272,"sku":"CK_Diastik_3k","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8k Diastik (Prepolish)","offer_id":49066246897952,"sku":"CK_Diastik_8k","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"13k Polycrystalline Diastik (Moissanite Prepolish)","offer_id":49461178827040,"sku":"CK_Diastik_13k","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"14k Diastik (Prepolish or 'Commercial' Polish)","offer_id":49507329802528,"sku":"CK_Diastik_14k","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"60k Diastik (Final Polish)","offer_id":49066246930720,"sku":"CK_Diastik_60k","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Chrome Oxide Battstik (Polish)","offer_id":49066246963488,"sku":"CK_Battstik_Chrome","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cerium Oxide Battstik (Polish)","offer_id":49066246996256,"sku":"CK_Battstik_Cerium","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Zirconium Oxide Battstik (Polish)","offer_id":49066247029024,"sku":"CK_Battstik_Zirconium","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3K Diamond Polish Syringe","offer_id":51390433001760,"sku":"CK_SYR_3K","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8K Diamond Polish Syringe","offer_id":51390433132832,"sku":"CK_SYR_8K","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30K Diamond Polish Syringe","offer_id":51390432739616,"sku":"CK_SYR_30K","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/6794\/0384\/files\/PolishingSticks.jpg?v=1723241144"},{"product_id":"transfer-jigs-for-the-cutkit-jigs-for-6mm-dops","title":"Transfer Jigs for the CutKit (Jigs for 6mm and 1\/4\" Dops)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are transfer jigs used for .  We currently offer three variants.  Note that any dops included in photos are just for demonstration and not included with the jigs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur universal large format transfer jig supports any nominal 6mm or 1\/4\" dop.  The jig accommodates stones up to 42mm in diameter.  It has a nylon thumb screw which acts as an adjustable friction brake for vertical operation.  It can also optionally handle common keying styles from other brands--the flat nylon tip of the set screw can index onto flats on dops to force them into alignment, and installing an optional bolt on each side aligns dops with an angled end key.  This jig is included in the CutKit\u003cspan\u003e™\u003c\/span\u003e3 but it suitable for use with any major and most minor brands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also have a magnetic transfer jig (which was included in the CutKit\u003cspan\u003e™1, 2 and 2.5) for quick and easy dopping of magnetic dops.  It is one block of aluminum with strong rare earth magnets to hold steel dops in alignment without the need for any clamps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur old large format transfer jigs only handle 6mm dops and stones up to 32mm in diameter and are now discontinued, with remaining stock offered at a steep discount.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Turtle's Hoard","offers":[{"title":"Universal CutKit Transfer Jig","offer_id":51125738471712,"sku":"CK_Transfer_Uni_Set","price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Magnetic Transfer Jig","offer_id":50046946214176,"sku":"CK_Transfer_Magnetic","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Old Large Format Transfer Jig 6mm Only (discontinued)","offer_id":50046962925856,"sku":"CK_Transfer_Large","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/6794\/0384\/files\/20260114_1508352.jpg?v=1768425136"},{"product_id":"grinding-and-polishing-laps-for-the-cutkit-6-inch-laps","title":"Grinding and Polishing Laps for the CutKit (6 inch laps)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are cutting and polishing laps for the CutKit\u003cspan\u003e™.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe have both 6 inch diameter toppers which are placed on the master lap and 6 inch solid sintered laps.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSintered laps have a high concentration of diamond mixed with bronze in a thick layer.  They last basically forever--they are less aggressive than a topper of the same grit and leave a smoother finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNote the sintered laps are thicker than our other laps but the center of the lap is actually thinner.  Each lap comes with a spacer to allow the lap nut to lock it in place, plus a flexible plastic sheet with two clips--this can be clipped onto the machine's water shield to reduce the extra spray caused by how thick the sintered laps are.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 100 grit sintered lap is good for rough cutting, but cuts more like a 240.  The 600 is great for final placement of facets and leaves an excellent surface for a fast prepolish.  These laps can glaze over time and slow down (particularly when cutting large moissanites!)--I have run a 1000 grit whetstone over mine while spinning with a good water drip and that rapidly brought it back to its original speed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100 grit topper laps are good for extra-coarse roughing of very large stones like dice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e240 grit topper laps are good for coarse shaping of a stone--I almost never place all the facets with a 240, just a few to get the stone preshaped.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e600 grit laps are used for placing facets close to their final position.  These laps should be broken in with a piece of corundum, as they will typically cut a little too aggressively when fresh.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopper laps are charged with diamond grit (best of all, Gearloose™ Diastiks) and used for prepolish and polish.  These sometimes arrive with scratches--don't be concerned, they come from the factory that way.  Copper laps tend to perform best when scored, putting intentional scratches into the surface to help retain diamond and increase surface complexity.  \u003ca title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qnHvrXfyX1U\" href=\"Here%20is%20a%20video%20on%20the%20topic%20by%20Justin%20K%20Prim,%20who%20I%20learned%20about%20it%20from.\"\u003eHere is a video on the topic by Justin K Prim.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Turtle's Hoard","offers":[{"title":"100 grit plated lap","offer_id":50046993137952,"sku":"CK_Lap_100","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"240 grit plated lap","offer_id":50046993170720,"sku":"CK_Lap_240","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"600 grit plated lap","offer_id":50047016042784,"sku":"CK_Lap_600","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Copper topper lap","offer_id":50047016075552,"sku":"CK_Lap_Copper","price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100 Grit Sintered Lap","offer_id":50751027872032,"sku":"Sintered_100_6in_Set","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"600 Grit Sintered Lap","offer_id":50751027904800,"sku":"Sintered_600_6in_Set","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/6794\/0384\/files\/20250401_191930.jpg?v=1743555868"}],"url":"https:\/\/store.gemsofscience.com\/collections\/ships-during-tucson-2025.oembed","provider":"Gems Of Science","version":"1.0","type":"link"}