Techniques for Refinishing Worn Platinum Jewellery

Quality Assurance Benchmarks highlight the workmanship of semi-finished or finished jewellery. Learn how to evaluate the quality of worn platinum jewellery that has been refinished.

Side view of a platinum band channel-set with round and baguette diamonds

Finger hole is round in shape

Ring dimensions were not measurably reduced after refinishing

Ring was cleaned after refinishing, and exhibits a natural high, bright lustre, free of any foreign material

Scratches and other surface marks were burnished and finished without compromising structural integrity or the original design. There were no significant visible indications of wear

Perspective view of a platinum band channel-set with round and baguette diamonds.

All gemstones are tight and secure

Ring dimensions were not measurably reduced after refinishing

Ring was cleaned after refinishing, and exhibits a natural high, bright lustre, free of any foreign material

Scratches and other surface marks were burnished and finished without compromising structural integrity or the original design. There are no significant visible indications of wear.

Potential Problems and Engineering Features

A customer brings this ring into the store and requests that it is polished. Be aware of these quality considerations after examining the ring.

Top view of a platinum solitaire ring containing a round brilliant center diamond and baguette side diamonds. A white gold halo set with small round

A white gold and diamond halo was added at the top of the platinum ring. The white gold’s natural off-white (yellowish) colour reveals this.

The ring is made of 90% platinum and 10% iridium. This combination is one the softest platinum alloys. Thicker dimensions are recommended for similar rings that will be worn daily.

This ring is not a candidate for refinishing, but has diamonds that could be used in a new platinum mounting.

Side view of a platinum ring with a white gold and diamond halo surrounding the centre stone

White gold solder extends below the halo and is visible on the platinum ring

The shank is thin and appears to have a pitted and cracked solder joint

Side view of a platinum solitaire ring set with a round brilliant centre diamond featuring prongs that have been repaired using white gold solder.

New platinum tips were soldered onto the prongs. The yellowish colour of the white gold solder used is the tell-tale sign.

How-to Video

Pre-finishing, Polishing and Buffing Worn Platinum Jewellery

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Finishing Tools and Techniques

Micro-Finishing Film

Micro-Finishing film is a fast-cutting abrasive that provides precise, uniform, close-tolerance finishes. The abrasive is resin bonded to a polyester film backing, and contains micron-graded mineral particles that are electrostatically and consistently oriented.

Micro-Finishing film is available in sheets, strips and other shapes. Here it has been attached to standing sticks and labelled for progressive abrasive use.

Micro-Finishing film is ideal for abrasive work on platinum because it can be used wet or dry, it has plain or adhesive backing, and it can be custom fitted and adheres to a variety of tools and shapes for a wide range of applications

Micro-Finishing film is available in a range of grits, from a coarse 180 grit to a very fine 1200 grit

Tray containing five compartments of platinum polishing compound in various grits, along with five adjacent compartments containing attachments for working.

Each compartment in the tray contains attachments for specific compounds. Consistent use, as well as the cleaning of processed products between steps, eliminates the potential for cross-contamination, while improving the platinum’s finish and lustre.

These Japanese platinum compounds are evenly blended and adhere well to buffs, brushes and felt attachments

The same compounds, with larger wheels and attachments, are used at the polishing machine for platinum. Start with the coarsest 800 grit, followed by 1500, 4000, 6000 and finished with the finest 8000 grit.