Matte finish on silver chain

Jewelry Discussion
1

I need to reproduce the matte finish that is on an existing sterling
chain (2mm rolo) so that I can extend it for a customer. I don’t have
a flexshaft, so I need a manual or chemical process, if you can
suggest one. I have a tumbler and media for making silver shine, but
nothing to make it dull!

Just a beginner (and not a metalsmith), so be gentle with me.

Thanks!

Chris L
www.spiralbound-goodies.com

2

I have used scotch bright pads or steel wool. Just use them in the
same direction and it will give you a good finish on silver

Emily Halberg
emily@mroxstudio.com

3

Hello!

We don’t bite, it’s all good.

3M makes a fabulous product for matt finnishing, it’s nice and
simple and gets into cracks and crevices well. It’s basically a
synthetic brillo-pad. If this is a one time thing I say dive under
your kitchen sink and see what scrub pads you have, steelwool is
common for this application, but some say it’s too subtle, some say
too coarse. Just be sure to try an array of stuff out on some scrap
first and see what you like the effect of best.

Cheers,
Norah Kerr
www.besmithian.com

4

try putting some steel wool in the palm of your hand and run the
chain thru it. it will dull the chain.

5

Use one of those four sided sponge finger nail files. You can get
them most anywhere but “Sally’s Beauty Supply” is a sure thing. Buy
the fine finish. Now, fold it around your chain and pull it through
it. Viola! A matte finish.

Julia

6

Thanks all, I’ll try the scotch brite and steel wool and emery board
methods first. What is the 3M product that you were thinking of,
Norah?

Chris

7

hey,

those ideas about the green scrubby and the steel wool are
great…but i find that the green scrubby can sometimes give metal
too much of a matte finish.

i tumble everything in rio grande’s pink ceramic cone media. this
stuff is great! it gives a matte finish that is slighty brighter
than a green scrubby. i tuble everything for at least 8 hours, but a
shorter time if i have used a chain, especially a snake chain.

don’t get too excited about it, though, as it does NOT remove
firescale! but for finishing after a 400-grit sanding, it looks
wonderful!

8

Without question, the 3M aluminum oxide buffs are the best. I use
the 4" fine, 3 ply disc. From Rio it’s style #330.543. I’m sure
you’ll find other reasons to use it. Makes great matte on gold too.

Reba

9 
What kind of tumbler do you use?

i tumble everything in rio grande’s pink ceramic cone media. this
stuff is great! it gives a matte finish that is slighty brighter
than a green scrubby. i tuble everything for at least 8 hours,

10 
I'll try the scotch brite and steel wool and emery
board methods first. What is the 3M product that you were thinking
of, Norah?

I’ve totally forgotten the name for sure but I’m thinking it is
exactly the same as Scotch Brite (which is not something I’ve ever
bought it’s just sounding right), I know there is a version for
household cleaning, but they package it up in larger sheets for metal
finnishing, only worhtwhile if you buy in serrious bulk. I worked
with the stuff years ago back before I was silly enough to be working
for myself.

Happy scrubbing.

Cheers
Norah Kerr
www.besmithian.com

11

I’ll try the scotch brite and steel wool and emery board methods
first. What is the 3M product that you were thinking of, Norah?

I've totally forgotten the name for sure but I'm thinking it is
exactly the same as Scotch Brite

According to one of my catalogs, they’re called: “3M Scotchbrite Hand
Pads” and they’re found everywhere… Rio, Swest, any other tool
supply place as well as hardware stores and the grocery store! When
I"m in a pickle, I’ll use a clean one from the kitchen! I also use
these on wax… used lightly they take out imperfections, love 'em.

They come in different colors, used the grey one for years (it was
recommended), and was very happy. But then, was in a pinch and
needed a clean one for wax and grabbed one from under the kitchen
sink, happened to be green and loved it.

I would suggest using the grey and the maroon on metal. The grey is
the finest, the maroon is one step heavier. The green is a dream on
wax, haven’t ventured on metal yet, it would probably work just
fine.

Amery

12

sorry it took me so long to see this post, but i use a “lortone:
tumble, which i believe is marketed as a rock tumbler, as i
perchased it form the rock tumbling store! it is light blue and cost
about $75. after 5 years, i had to repurchase another one, as the
motor burnt out, but i feel like it is a good investment! the barrel
is about 12” in diameter and is black rubber.

the only thing i do not about tumblers is that it is a pain to fit
the lids together in the right way sometimes. but…i use it almost
everyday, so it can’t be that terrible!

joanna