theimage.com how to facet
gemstone main cabochon creation
mineral data
Step 6 - move on to the first soft wheel (280 grit) and use it to remove all of the remaining tiny flats. When this wheel is finished there should be a uniform smooth look but no shine. The stone must now be free of all scratches and look smooth.
Step 7 - next move to the 600 grit wheel and continue smoothing the stone and removing all of the scratches left by the 280 grit wheel. This is the first pre-polish wheel and if visible scratches can still be seen after working on this wheel then go back to previous wheel and remove them, otherwise they will never come out.
When finished with the 600 wheel all scratches should be gone and the stone should have a slight luster, but nothing like a polish yet.