Abstract: Method of surface finishing covalent-ionic ceramics comprising: (a) repeatedly rubbing a finishing medium against an exposed surface of the ceramic, the medium being constituted of an ionic bonded oxide having grains harder than the grains of the covalent-ionic bonded ceramic; (b) interrupting the rubbing at frequent intervals to dress the medium by a single point diamond tool; and (c) continuing the repeated rubbing and dressing interruptions of steps (a) and (b) until a surface roughness of about 0.04 micrometer Ra has been achieved on the ceramic and the exposed surface of the ceramic retains an ionic residue of the finishing medium. Also, a method of effecting reduced friction between lubricated rubbing surfaces, comprising: (a) forming one of the rubbing surfaces of silicon nitride based ceramics having a polished surface roughness about 0.