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From my time faceting, the scratches you saw after the 14000 almost certainly from the 128 grit. Particularly with quartz based stones (though I was faceting crystalline quartzes) the structure allows for subsurface fracturing. Essentially, the tips of the diamonds are so hard that the pressure you use to keep the stone in contact with the lap causes them to break the structure deeper than just the surface layer, like pressing a nail into your skin. As you use the machine more, focus more time in the 325 and 600 grit steps, you should be able to trim off the layer that got affected like that.Those grits are going to do the same thing, but it won't sink so far into the stone, and so when you hit the polish stage that subsurface damage will not nearly as noticeable. For a first go, this is a wonderful result. Keep at it and keep learning!

You're going to have some fun with that. Make sure you move the rock around on the lap so that it wears evenly. It also probably helps it stay cooler by not creating friction at the same spot.

When you don’t even care what the video is and you just click it because it says Agate Dad and you know it’s always gonna be good

You totally deserve the Hi-Tech sponsor. You are one of my favorite RockHounds. A tie between you and Rookie Rockhound

Fun to watch. Be careful: that water dries than the dust is dangerous. Potential build a plexiglass frame around it to enclose. Rinse rocks off in bucket before drying, sponge down the machine at end. Keep up the interestingprojects! Also, dish rack or perhaps funky vintage record rack to hold the disks separate to dry.

Set up a five gallon bucket of water near your work station. Thoroughly rinse your fingers and your stone when your finished with each stage of wheels. This will prevent courser diamond grit transferring to finer diamond wheels.

That’s great that HiTech Diamond sent it to you. I have a tip I can share for you: I use a portable dish drain with plate dividers to dry my laps in between use. That way they are drying in a more vertical position. I also cut the bottom out of the box it came in to use the upper portion as a cover to keep dust off the plates when not in use.

This is so exciting Taylor I am totally stoked to see all the gorgeous rocks.

We absolutely need more videos like this! I will literally watch you polish every one of those rocks you pointed out in the opening 😀

Hi again TAYLOR

How cool! Well deserved you! I remember you finding, then cutting that agate. It is a memorable beauty for sure! Have fun! Can’t wait to see the magical box gems! I am so happy for you! Yay!

So exciting!!!!!! Great video! And congrats on getting love from Hi-Tech!!! Can't wait for the magic box!!

I need one of those. All the professional lapidary machine I've seen use water with their final polish. I'm sure that you went by the instructions . No insult intended . You could take the stone that has the scratch marks on it back to the first steps on your machine , and work at out. Truly enjoyed , thank you .

Oh wow. How cool! I love rockhounding toys! 💕👍🏼

Dear friend, congratulations on purchasing the equipment. You're doing a great job, like you've always worked on this machine.👍👍👍👍👍🤝

Looks like a really nice polisher. I like the adjustment for the splash guard. Thanks for sharing. Big difference in time when doing it by hand vs this.

I’m so excited for you!!! A whole new level to this rock obsession lol!! Have a blast!!

Very cool! Just what you needed to keep you busy at home. Peace & love to you and your family.

Those are so beautiful, can’t wait to see more polished beauties!!!!