[Jewelry making - Article 00863] - Re: [Orchid] Polishing of intricate pieces

[Fredricka Kulicke]

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Hello Vikas,

    I polish filigree and granulation with a few different techniques. A
    soft bristle brush on the polishing machine will go where a muslin
    buff cannot reach, and is less aggresive. Tripoli lightly and rouge.
    Or with a flex shaft, one can use small brushes, I like the ones with
    suede in the middle to hold onto the Tripoli. They come soft, medium
    and hard. After Tripoli and rouge, you need to steam clean or soak to
    get the polish out of the filigree. 

    I also use a vibratory tumbler with stainless steel shot and a good
    quirt of Dawn dish liquid. I use a custom blend of mixed shot with
    extra needles that reach between the wires and granules. After
    tumbling, Since I don't usually go for a super shiny finish I can
    use fine pumice and then rotten stone (finer pumice) with a
    toothbrush to get a nice soft lustre. Then I rouge the tops of the
    granules and filigree with a rouge stick by hand, for contrast. Using
    the tumbler first gives a nice smooth finish to bring down a notch
    to the lustre. If you want the high gloss finish just stop after the
    tumbler. Good Luck. 

Regards,
Fredricka Kulicke

Fredricka Kulicke School of Jewelry Art
239 New Road, Suite B 101
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Tel. 201-230-2973
http://kulickejewelryschool.com/

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