{"product_id":"rough-zebra-calcite-mexico-1-6-2-5","title":"Rough Zebra Calcite (Mexico) – 1.6–2.5”","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eImportant Note: Zebra Calcite is softer (Mohs hardness ~3) than quartz or agate. It requires extra care, shorter runs, and gentler grit stages to avoid chipping or over‑rounding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eStep 1 – Rough Stage (Coarse Grind)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Use 80 silicon carbide grit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Run for 5–7 days only (shorter than harder stones).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Check frequently — Zebra Calcite shapes quickly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Rinse thoroughly between stages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eStep 2 – Medium Grind\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Use 220 grit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Run for 5–7 days.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• This stage smooths edges without removing too much material.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Inspect daily to prevent over‑rounding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eStep 3 – Fine Grind \/ Pre‑Polish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Use 400 grit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Run for 4–6 days.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Stones should feel silky smooth to the touch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Wash barrel and stones carefully to avoid contamination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eStep 4 – Polish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• polish with pumice or aluminum oxide or cerium oxide.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Run for 5–7 days.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Zebra Calcite takes on a soft, satiny shine rather than a glassy finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Optional: Add plastic pellets to cushion stones during polish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eStep 5 – Burnish (Optional)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• Run stones with soap flakes or borax and water for 4–6 hours.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• This cleans residues and enhances the final luster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eTips for Success\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• 🪨 Patience pays off: Zebra Calcite polishes more softly than quartz, but its banding looks stunning when finished.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• 🌊 Avoid over‑tumbling: Too long in coarse grit can reduce size dramatically.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• 🧼 Clean thoroughly between stages to prevent grit contamination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e• 🪴 Use cushioning media (ceramic or plastic pellets) to protect softer calcite from chipping.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shropshire Crystals Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56745866264958,"sku":null,"price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/5349\/0558\/files\/FullSizeRender_99bdb181-05d6-46ad-bbc3-c14e7935042d.jpg?v=1766571364","url":"https:\/\/shropshirecrystals.com\/products\/rough-zebra-calcite-mexico-1-6-2-5","provider":"Shropshire Crystals Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}