Polishing after depletion silvering

I know this has been discussed a lot, but I still am unsure about how
much polishing after depletion silvering is possible without removing
the fine silver layer. Invariably I wind up with a ding or a scratch
after the stones are set (although I am learning to tape extensively
to protect all areas around the stone being set). I am very timid
about how much I can do to remove a scratch without ruining the
finish and I wonder too whether more heating and pickling past a
certain point raises more silver resulting in a thicker layer that
can be safer to polish.

J. Sue Ellington
http://www.jseenameljewelry.com

I know this has been discussed a lot, but I still am unsure about
how much polishing after depletion silvering is possible without
removing the fine silver layer. 

Sue, one way to get rid of scratches without taking away metal is to
burnish them with an agate or metal burnisher. Just be sure to use a
burnisher that does not have a pointed end to ensure you don’t
accidentally add more scratches!

To get rid of the polish streaks created by the burnishers you can
use a SparkleSparkle polishing cloth (They work much better than
Sunshine cloths.), or polish the area very briefly with a muslin
wheel in the flex shaft, charged with whatever final polishing
compound you like to use.

Victoria Lansford