Achieving a true mirror finish separates amateur work from master craftsmanship. Getting there, however, requires understanding the diverse and evolving world of polishing compounds.

The Classic: Jeweler's Rouge

Iron oxide (rouge) has been used for centuries. It's fantastic for bringing up a high polish on gold and silver, but it's exceptionally dirty, leaving red dust everywhere, and can sometimes drag on softer stones.

Modern Synthetic Alternatives

Dialux and Luxor compounds have formulated synthetic abrasives bound in cleaner fats and waxes. These cut faster and leave significantly less mess on the bench. Understanding the color-coding (e.g., White for universal, Blue for final gloss, Green for hard metals) is essential for an efficient polishing station.

Diamond Pastes for Platinum & Hard Metals

When working with platinum, palladium, or tough stainless steels, traditional compounds perform poorly. Diamond pastes, suspended in oil or water-soluble bases, cut cleanly and efficiently through these dense metals, achieving a polish that rouge could never dream of.