Polish and finish jewellery or silverware components
Overview
This standard covers the skills to polish and finish jewellery or silverware components, using both hand and mechanical polishing. You will research different techniques and practice them, then review the differences achieved in hand and mechanical processes. You will continue to practice polishing and finishing on different surfaces and products.
In polishing the items, you will be required to work to instructions and to use a range of polishing and finishing techniques appropriate to the type of material and finish required. During, and on completion of, the polishing operations, you will be expected to check the quality of the work using specified guidelines appropriate to the type of finish required.
You will need to be able to recognise any defects and take appropriate action to put right any faults that occur ensuring that the finished work meets the specification required.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- research different polish and finish techniques for jewellery or silverware components in line with project needs
- explore how different types of materials requiring different finishes in line with project needs
- review the differences between hand and mechanical polishing and finishing techniques in line with project needs
- polish and finish a range of items which cover a variety of shapes and forms in line with workplace instructions
- finish work using specific treatments in line with workplace instructions
- check the work for defects in line with the needs of the project
- take action to rectify any defects detected in line with workplace instructions
- seek support and guidance when problems arise in line with workplace instructions
- complete the work to the given specification in line with workplace instructions
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- safety precautions to be taken when using polishing and finishing techniques
- protective clothing and equipment and the importance of wearing it
- methods of polishing and finishing
- how different materials react to different methods of polishing and finishing
- polishing and finishing techniques both hand and mechanical
- how to check and prepare the polishing and finishing tools, materials and equipment
- treatments used in polishing and finishing
- who to ask for support and when to do so
- how to check that the polishing and finishing meets the needs of the specification
- best practice in polishing and finishing within chosen jewellery industry
- the importance of following the given specification and timescales
- common defects and ways to rectify these