Things You'll Need
Hand-held rotary grinder (Dremel tool)
220- and 400-grit emery cloth
Felt bobs
Tripoli polishing compound
Felt wheels
Jeweler's rouge
Buffing compound
Acetone or nail polish remover
Paper towels
Jewelry can become tarnished and damaged to the point where fluids and cloths can no longer restore its beauty. This is where a hand-held rotary tool, such as a Dremel, comes in handy. Dremel tools can grind away scoring and scratching, remove burrs and polish surfaces to restore the original luster of your favorite item.
Step 1
Remove heavy scratching and other damage by using 220- and 400-grit emery cloth and sanding your item by hand.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Use felt bobs and tripoli polishing compound from your Dremel kit to remove light scratches and marks made by the 400-grit emery cloth on the inside surfaces of your jewelry.
Step 3
Use felt wheels with tripoli compound on exterior surfaces.
Step 4
Switch to fresh bobs and wheels. Polish your item with jeweler's rouge until all surfaces have a mirror finish. The Artful Crafter staff advise, "...rub a bit of red jeweler's rouge on a muslin or felt Dremel buff. Buff at low speed (5000 RPM). Do not press down. Keep the tool moving."
Step 5
Clean buffing compound residue using paper towels and acetone or nail polish remover. Rub item vigorously with your polishing cloth.
Warning
Hand-held rotary tools can cause serious damage if not handled correctly. Permanent eye, ear and lung damage is possible without proper personal protective equipment. Fasten up long hair when using power tools.
Video of the Day