In my recent Blog Post about “Mr Grit”, a new lapidary and grit supplier in New Zealand, I was not clear that Rotorua Lapidary is still open and active. I stated: “Previously the main New Zealand supplier of these things has been Rotorua Lapidary.” My intention was actually to acknowledge the significance of Rotorua Lapidary (also known as the Rock and Gemstone Shop) in providing an invaluable service to Kiwis over many years. For more than 40 years, they have been making available Lortone tumblers and other lapidary equipment, along with grit, polish powder, and so on. However, my Post could be read to mean that Rotorua Lapidary was no longer operating, which is not true. This Post is to correct any misunderstandings I may have caused.
Colin and Bev Simmons, the directors of Rotorua Lapidary, have been in business since 1981, supplying New Zealand with directly imported lapidary equipment for both the professional trades and rockhounds. I know that they deal directly with the manufacturers of the equipment they stock, and once had a conversation with Colin about how he personally visited the Lortone people. The machinery that is imported is up to ISO standard for the New Zealand market, and is assembled and tested in Rotorua to make sure it is of a high standard.
Colin and Bev responded to changing costs and market conditions in late 2020 by taking on a new supplier. This resulted in a change in the grades of grit they sold and doing away with a pre-polish stage. Colin advised me at that time: “We have a new supplier and they don’t stock 320 grit, 400 grit is finer therefore beneficial when working towards the polishing process. The new supplier has a one step polishing product which we trialed very successfully, and have every confidence in supplying the market… The tumble polish is still the same type of polish as the pre- and pro-polish only it is slightly finer in micron – with using 400 grit (which is finer) instead of 320 grit you can eliminate the pre-polish process.” As Colin said, he personally trialed the new set of stages before selling the grit and polish. I know personally that Colin and Bev go the extra mile to offer before and after sales advice and assistance.
My Post “What Do I Need to Start Tumble Polishing Stones Myself? And What Will It Cost Me?” reflects my own reliance on Rotorua Lapidary for a number of years. I highly recommend them.
