How to Use Red Rouge Polishing Powder

Make old jewelry look like brand new again with an inexpensive polishing powder.

Over time, jewelry can tarnish, darken and start looking dirty. One trick that many jewelers use to keep jewelry looking new is Red Rouge polishing powder. Red Rouge powder, also known as iron(III) oxide or ferric oxide, is a deep reddish brown powder that can safely polish jewelry without scratching it. Although used primarily on jewelry, this powder can also be used on metal, brass, copper, gold, silver and steel.

Things You'll Need

• Hand buffing wheel
• 1 tbsp. Red Rouge polishing powder
• Cloth
• Lint-free cloth

Instructions

1. Turn your buffing wheel on and allow it to spin.

2. Press the Red Rouge polishing powder directly to the hand buffing wheel. According to READE Advanced Materials, the heat from the wheel "will be enough to transfer a small amount of the compound onto the wheel for polishing."

3. Lay the jewelry or metal out in front of you on a piece of cloth.

4. Buff the jewelry or metal using the hand wheel. Typically, you should use 1 tbsp. of Red Rouge polishing powder for every 1 lb. of metal.

5. Wipe the jewelry or metal off with a lint-free cloth.

References

• READE Advanced Materials: Jeweler's Rouge (Fe2O3)
• AJH, Custom Knives and Service: Buffing & Polishing Rouges & Compounds - Red Rouge Polish