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Hand Polishing Your Jewellery With Polishing Papers

polishing papers

Create A High Sheen With Polishing Papers

Our polishing papers are excellent for gaining a high sheen on metals or precious metal clay if you do not have power tools (such as a Dremel Multi Tool) for polishing. They are also excellent for polishing in those hard to reach areas! Polishing papers are especially effective with silver clays as the purer silver is particularly receptive to more gentle polishing methods.

Wet & Dry Sanding Sheets

Prepare With Wet & Dry Sanding Sheets

Polishing papers work best when you are able to work through the different grades - from coarse to fine, which we will talk through on this page. However, before you start your polishing process you need to sand any scratches off your design by working down through the grades of our wet & dry sanding sheets. 

HOW TO USE POLISHING PAPERS

polishing papers

Polishing papers have 3M micron-graded abrasives in them that polish your metal to a high sheen by simply working up through the coloured grades. For best results change the direction you are working in after each grade.

The easiest way to know which order to work through the colours is by numbering them. This way you can ensure you are working from the coarsest grade through to the finest grade. 

The following is the order the papers need to be used in, starting with the coarsest

  1. Lime green (coarsest): 400 grit
  2. Grey: 600 grit
  3. Blue: 1200 grit
  4. Pink: 4000 grit
  5. Turquoise: 6000 grit
  6. Cream (the finest): 8000 grit.

TIP...

We obtained much better results when the paper was wrapped around (or even glued to) a small, flat piece of wood, similar in shape to a nail file.

We also like to staple the papers together in the correct order so it's easier to pick up and start polishing without the need to reorder your papers.

Watch Our Polishing Papers In Action

Also in this section:

HAVE A QUESTION?

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who will be more than happy to give you advice over email or on the phone.

You can learn more and find inspiration by visiting our Jewellery Making Tutorials, Jewellery Making Kits and YouTube Channel. Don't forget to follow us on social media and tag us in your designs on Instagram & Facebook, we would love to see!

What Our Customers Say...

Joel Martin
Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!
Frank Wilson
I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.
Vivienne Sadler
Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!
Claire
I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.
Marshal
Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.
Maggi Henman
I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.
Kim Thomson
I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.
Lenna
Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.
Janice Scragg
Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!
Gloria Williams
I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!
Sarah Tiley
Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.
April Luescher
Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?
Deborah Roberts-Barter
I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!
Helen
Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!
Catriona
Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website. 
Mihaela Ciubotaru
I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.
Lynn Carson
I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.
Rhiannon Piper
The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.
Jaquie
It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.
George Inglis
Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.
Claire Hall
Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!
Hayley Meredith
I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft.  I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!
Catherine Warwick
Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!
Frank Wilson
It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!
Lauren Jodie Piercy
Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.
Lydia Farrow
Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.
Helen Bowles
I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.
Dorota Todd
I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.
Christine Wood
Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.
Julia Schofield
I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.
Eve
The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!
Jill Hammersely
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.
Jenny Kirkwood
Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?
Daniel Coe
The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.
A
I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!
Denise Mountain Pike
I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.