What is refinishing in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Refinishing in jewellery is the process of restoring a piece's surface to its original appearance after it has been worn, scratched or dulled over time. A jeweller will clean the metal, remove scratches and surface marks with progressively finer abrasives, and then re-apply the original finish, which might be a high mirror polish, a satin or brushed texture, or a combination of the two. Some pieces also require re-plating with rhodium or gold as part of the process. Refinishing is a normal part of jewellery maintenance and gives well-made pieces a very long life.
Frequently asked questions
- How often should jewellery be refinished?
- It depends on how often you wear the piece and how active you are. A ring worn daily will show wear sooner than earrings worn occasionally. Many people have everyday rings professionally polished every one to three years, though there is no strict rule.
- Does refinishing remove metal from a piece?
- A tiny amount of metal is removed each time a piece is polished, because polishing works by abrading the surface. For well-made fine jewellery this is negligible over a lifetime of normal service, but very frequent polishing of thin pieces can eventually reduce them.
- Can you refinish jewellery at home?
- A polishing cloth can remove light tarnish and restore some shine at home, but proper refinishing of deep scratches or restoring a satin finish requires professional tools and skill. For meaningful pieces it is worth having a jeweller do it properly.
Designing a ring
Talk through refinishing with us
Tell us what you have in mind, even if it is only a budget and a piece of jewellery type, and we will help you weigh up the options. We reply to every enquiry, usually within one business day.
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