CBJ Finishing and Polishing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of tripoli compound in jewelry finishing?
- To apply a final high-gloss mirror finish
- To cut and remove surface scratches before final polishing (Correct answer)
- To degrease the metal surface before soldering
- To create an oxidized patina on silver
Correct answer: To cut and remove surface scratches before final polishing
Tripoli is a cutting compound used to remove file marks and surface scratches in preparation for final polishing with rouge.
Question 2: Which type of polishing wheel is best suited for applying rouge compound?
- Sisal wheel
- Wire brush wheel
- Muslin or cotton buff wheel (Correct answer)
- Rubber abrasive wheel
Correct answer: Muslin or cotton buff wheel
Muslin or cotton buff wheels are soft enough to apply rouge without scratching and hold the compound well for a final high-gloss finish.
Question 3: What does a 'satin finish' look like on jewelry?
- A high-gloss, mirror-like reflective surface
- A deeply hammered textured appearance
- A fine-grained, non-reflective brushed surface (Correct answer)
- An aged, darkened appearance in recessed areas
Correct answer: A fine-grained, non-reflective brushed surface
A satin finish is achieved by brushing or abrading the metal to produce a soft, uniform, non-reflective sheen.
Question 4: What is the correct sequence of abrasive grits when hand-sanding a jewelry piece?
- Fine to coarse, then medium
- Coarse to fine (Correct answer)
- Any order depending on the metal type
- Medium to coarse, then fine
Correct answer: Coarse to fine
Starting with coarse abrasives removes major scratches and imperfections, then progressively finer grits refine the surface before polishing.
Question 5: What is the advantage of using a flex shaft machine for finishing jewelry?
- It eliminates the need for polishing compounds
- It can polish multiple pieces simultaneously
- It provides precision control for detail work and hard-to-reach areas (Correct answer)
- It generates heat to anneal the metal during polishing
Correct answer: It provides precision control for detail work and hard-to-reach areas
A flex shaft machine allows the bench jeweler to maneuver small burs, brushes, and polishing wheels into tight areas that a bench-mounted polisher cannot reach.
Question 6: Which polishing compound produces the finest, highest-gloss finish on gold and silver?
- Tripoli
- Pumice powder
- Emery compound
- Rouge (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Rouge
Rouge (ferric oxide) is the finest polishing compound and is used as the last step to achieve a bright mirror finish on precious metals.
Question 7: What is the main purpose of using a burnisher in jewelry finishing?
- To remove excess solder from joints
- To apply chemical patina to recessed areas
- To work-harden and create a bright surface by compressing the metal (Correct answer)
- To clean flux residue after soldering
Correct answer: To work-harden and create a bright surface by compressing the metal
A burnisher is a highly polished steel tool that is rubbed under pressure across the metal surface, compressing and brightening it without removing material.
CBJ Finishing and Polishing 1
What is the primary purpose of tripoli compound in jewelry finishing?