A beautiful polish begins before the polishing stage. Under a bright light, a silver surface can reveal fine scratches that were almost invisible at the bench. Careful abrasive preparation gives the final finish a more consistent starting point.
Where grade 2000 fits
Grade 2000 emery paper is a very fine abrasive for refining an already prepared surface. Think of it as a finishing stage rather than a way to remove deep file marks. If a scratch remains from an earlier operation, moving straight to a fine paper can leave you working for longer without properly resolving it.
Choose a sensible progression for the metal and the surface you have in front of you. Remove the marks from each preceding stage before moving finer. Grade descriptions and numbering systems vary, so check the particular abrasive rather than assuming that different suppliers’ labels are interchangeable.
Support the paper, preserve the shape
How you support an abrasive affects the result. Paper held against a firm, flat support helps you work on a flat face without following every small hollow. A strip wrapped around a suitable stick gives more control in a smaller area.
Keep the intended shape of the jewellery in mind. A crisp edge, a narrow rim and a softly curved band require different handling. Abrasion removes metal; repeated attention to one spot can alter the profile as well as the finish.
A simple bench routine
- Inspect the clean surface in good light and identify the marks that need attention.
- Complete the appropriate earlier abrasive stages before using very fine paper.
- Work with controlled strokes and suitable support, checking the surface regularly.
- Keep grades separate and clean away loose particles before changing abrasives.
- Inspect again before moving to the chosen polishing process.
A fresh, clean piece of paper is a small detail that helps keep the work predictable. Store sheets where they will not pick up coarse debris, and keep offcuts organised by grade.
At the bench
Our grade 2000 jewellers emery paper is supplied as a single sheet. Cut a working piece to suit the job and retain the remainder for later use.
The editorial image illustrates surface preparation. Jewellery and sanding sticks are not included with the paper.