Fine jewelry pieces were once thought of as mainly for the rich and only for special occasions. But modern technology and trade have made jewelry production relatively more affordable. Technological innovations, new materials and methods make even gold pieces quite affordable.
You can buy custom-made jewelry pieces made from different materials, but even the best-produced jewelry piece made from gold can be prone to nicks and scratches, along with varying levels of wear and tear. If you have a stone in your piece, it might also require a different cleaning technique. And though gold is famous for being resistant against oxidation, it is malleable and could degrade with daily wear.
Gold anklets for women are among the most susceptible pieces to these damages. The proximity to the ground and dust and debris could make them lose their lustre over time. Some people use homemade or store-bought polishing substances. This alternative might seem inexpensive at first, and most online platforms will tout the efficacies of these methods.
Even so, some of these inexpensive polishing substances might destroy your jewelry. Professional jewelry cleaners know the best ways to clean and repair pieces, but here are the most common polishing methods for the repair and restoration of your jewelry.
Barrel Polishing
This common technique of jewelry polishing reaches even the smallest of nooks and crannies in delicate jewelry. The method involves the use of a soapy solution and abrasive for the polishing of a piece. Barrel polishing is not as time-consuming for professionals and is therefore inexpensive. It is nevertheless, not ideal for polishing large surfaces since the abrasives used might leave small pitted marks on a piece.
Mop Polishing
This achieves a mirror finish for your piece and requires a considerable degree of expertise. Mop polishing is generally used for large silver pieces and those with flat surfaces. Polishing motors with spindles on either end are driven at high speeds to buff the surfaces of jewelry. There are several mop polishing stages used with coarse to soft compounds depending on the level of shine that you want to achieve. Mop polishing might be a bit more expensive compared to other polishing techniques.
Drill Polishing
This uses different polishing techniques on small and delicate jewelry pieces to restore shine. The drills used have several attachments that guarantee a high-level shine. Drill polishing involves an investment in some expensive equipment; so it is a bit costly.
Tumble Polishing
This process is designed to boost the brightness and shine of a metal piece. Tumble polishing primarily uses steel shots to polish pieces and harden them. Other than these effects, tumble polishing is, at times, used to generate an antique appearance in jewelry.
Jewelry polishing can be used to make jewelry not only look new but also aged, elegant and clean. Sometimes, the only people you could trust for such a job are professionals. It might seem expensive at first, but professional polishing will ensure that your jewelry pieces will remain looking bright and beautiful throughout the years. If you have pieces with nicks and varying forms of damage, these polishing techniques are what will make them look good as new.
