Journal archive
Category: Polishing & Refinishing
Guides to jewellery surface assessment, polishing, rhodium plating and preserving decorative details during refinishing.
Published guidance
Articles in this archive.
Two-Tone Rhodium Finishing: Identifying Plated and Protected Areas
Two tone rhodium finishing needs a clear map of the intended surface colours.
Polishing Vintage Jewellery Without Erasing Its Character
An older piece does not need to look newly made to be well cared for. Its surface may carry engraving, maker’s details and wear that the owner values. Before commissioning polishing, a retailer should establish which changes are wanted and which features should remain part of the piece’s character.
Cleaning Jewellery with Treated Gemstones: What the Workshop Needs to Know
A gemstone’s name is not always enough information to choose a cleaning method. Treatments, coatings, fillings and the construction around the stone can all be relevant to the assessment. A retailer should therefore preserve treatment disclosures in the service record rather than treat them as information needed only at the original sale.
Silver Tarnish or Firestain? Describe the Discolouration Before Choosing a Treatment
Silver discolouration should be described before it is treated. The word tarnish is often used for any darkened area, but a workshop may need to consider a different surface condition or a change associated with earlier heating and finishing. A photograph alone is not enough to diagnose every mark reliably.
Restoring a Satin or Brushed Jewellery Finish After Wear
A worn satin or brushed finish needs a clearer instruction than make it matt again. The direction of the texture, its apparent coarseness and the way it meets polished areas all contribute to the design. A repair that restores a non-reflective surface but changes those relationships may not match the owner’s expectation.
Will Rhodium Plating Cover Scratches? Assess the Surface First
Rhodium plating should not be presented as a way to rebuild a scratched or dented jewellery surface. It changes the surface finish; it does not restore missing metal or make a damaged setting sound. If the customer expects visible wear to disappear, that expectation needs a separate assessment before the coating is discussed.
How Long Does Rhodium Plating Last? Set a Useful Maintenance Expectation
There is no useful single lifespan to promise for every rhodium-plated item. A ring worn frequently, an occasional pendant and an earring pair do not present the same maintenance discussion. The owner’s preference for a particular appearance also affects when they choose to seek refinishing.
Why Is a White Gold Ring Looking Yellow? Questions Before Replating
A white gold ring that appears warmer in colour may prompt an immediate request for rhodium plating. Before treating that as the complete answer, establish the known alloy, previous finish and pattern of change. Colour in a photograph can also be affected by lighting, so the physical piece should remain the reference.
Jewellery Cleaning and Polishing: Two Different Instructions
Clean and polish are often used together at a jewellery counter, but they should not be treated as interchangeable instructions. Cleaning concerns unwanted material on the item. Polishing concerns the appearance and condition of the surface itself. A customer may want one, both or a more limited treatment that preserves an existing texture.
Can Jewellery Polishing Remove Deep Scratches?
Polishing can improve a jewellery surface, but complete removal of a deep scratch should not be promised from a photograph. The workshop needs to assess the mark in relation to the surrounding shape and the metal available. A finish that looks brighter may still contain the deeper damage the customer originally wanted addressed.