Platinum polishing?

[meffaman]

Does anyone know how polishing platinum is done? Is it an extremely precise process? Does the work involve a stationary polishing wheel, or maybe a dremel type tool with a buffing wheel? Is a compound used?

Is this something to be trusted to just about anyone in the trade? Is it definitely something that someone should never consider doing themselves?

I''m a pretty extreme do-it-yourselfer (but know when to leave things to the experts and don''t mind paying for quality work) and very curious when it comes to this stuff.

 

[Skippy123]

I am not sure how it is done; recently I walked into a jewelry store and they were super nice and polished my platinum ring in about 5 mins for free and it looked super nice and shiny. It didn't last too long; platinum patina's. I have a white gold ring too and that stays shiny.

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

From my understanding, they use a specific type of oil and a machine.

Platinum gets moved around - u don''t actually lose any of it in the polishing process.

 

[strmrdr]

I don''t recommend doing it yourself as there is an art to it and it takes practice.

 

[meffaman]

Date: 6/6/2008 9:12:43 AM
Author: strmrdr
I don''t recommend doing it yourself as there is an art to it and it takes practice.

Thanks for the replies. I found this site which brought me down to earth a bit. While it''s talking about polishing a plat ring from its creation, I realized pretty quickly that I should stick to what I do best, and leave the ring polishing to those that do what they do best.

http://www.professionaljeweler.com/archives/articles/2002/jul02/0702pb3.html

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

OMG!

That site is crazy intense.

I know you are an avid do-it-yourselfer but unless u want to become a bench-polisher as profession
you are right in leaving it alone!

Yikes I had no idea.

No wonder some stores are clailming the polishing machines are dangerous and costly to maintain.