Geeking up (from piece of shell to almost white stone)

[RBerenguel]

Last weekend I was on mini-holidays in Northern Catalonia (which is actually in France.) On the beach I saw several largish pieces of "old" shells (they look like stones actually, they can be tricky to spot unless they are holed.) And thought "hmmm..." So, yesterday I picked the most roundish piece (so I didn't need to work that much) and

Dremel, with sanding band. Surprisingly neither stone head nor metal head worked better.

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After lots of sanding I got a roundish shape, around 1mm longer than wider. I thought "oh well, good enough" (was tiring.) Then, sandpaper (grades 120, 280, 360, 400) and leather stropping (insole leather, on the reverse.) Pictures on follow up post (max 3 attachments!)

[RBerenguel]

First pic was way too large for inlining

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[RBerenguel]

In pictures it doesn't look specially shiny, but it's relatively shiny (not as much as my "real" shell stones or ceramic ones, but good enough.) Next step would be jeans and cloth shining, though. If I didn't think it would stain it, I'd use jeweller's rouge for this.

[skydyr]

I was under the impression that shell stones are waxed to help preserve them and provide some of the luster. Perhaps powdered caranuba wax or the like would help once you're done polishing it?

[RBerenguel]

Yup, they are waxed, I think. But the only waxes I have available right now (and are willing to get more) are the shoemaking kind. Maybe I can try some Saphir uncoloured, they are essentially beeswax and not much more, so it shouldn't harm the shell

[ez4u]

First pic was way too large for inlining

...

Yes, so were the other two, especially on my iPad!