Last updated on December 27, 2022
Applying jewellery finishes is a metalsmithing technique to give the same piece of jewellery a different appearance. This guide explains the most common jewellery finishes you will come across and help you decide which is the best for you.
Jewellery finish is a term describing the techniques of adding final touches to the outer surface of the metal. It includes different jewellery polishing techniques and chemical applications used to give the finished piece an ultimate look and feel.
There are many jewellery finishes, among which polished, satin, brushed, wire brushed, sandblasted, bead blasted, stone, hammered, and florentine finishes are the most popular. Each finish creates a unique look and shows off precious metals differently. Some of them highlight the radiance of the metal, and others add a texture, giving a unique design, meaning the choice of a particular jewellery finish is a matter of style and personal preference.
The polished jewellery finish is the most common and popular among consumers as this technique provides a shiny appearance to the metal and is known as a classic option for any type of jewellery. It is achieved by using progressively finer abrasives on the surface of the metal to remove irregularities and scratches. The final step to achieving a reflective shine is using finishing buffs with polishing compounds.
The polished finish is favoured for its mirror-like look. However, over time, this jewellery finish picks up knicks and scratches on its surface, which can easily be removed by repolishing.
The satin finish is the second most popular technique. It features a smooth surface, yet it lacks the highly reflective quality of the polished finish, making it a great choice for those looking for smoothness without high shine, much like a fogged-up mirror.
The satin jewellery finish is still somewhat reflective. It emits a gentle glow with a satiny look, hence the name. Due to its fine brushed lines, this technique has the advantage of hiding slight scratches in the metal caused by regular wear.
The brushed finish gives the metal a non-reflective surface with a delicate shimmer and is quite similar to the satin finish in terms of shine but different in the fine shimmering texture. This finish is created with the texturing method by applying minuscule lines onto the surface of the jewellery piece using a brush made of wire, hence the name.
The wire brushed finish is similar to the brushed technique but with deeper and clearer brushstrokes to the texture.
Both brushed and wire brushed finishes are popular on men’s wedding bands due to their non-reflective surfaces and ability to hide scratches easily, making them a great choice for daily wear.
The sandblasted finish features a non-reflective, grainy texture as if the jewellery has been rolled in sand. The matte finish is achieved either by a chemical process or by using abrasive materials to scratch the metal surface.
The bead blasted finish is similar to the sandblasted, but it has a more noticeable texture, making it feel slightly more grainy. To keep such finishes matte, expect to have your jeweller touch them up once a year.
The stone finish, also known as the stippled finish, has a matte surface that resembles the appearance of a stone. This look is achieved by tiny pins repeatedly hitting the metal surface to get an even texture.
The stone finish is the most durable of all matte finishes as it leaves a deeper impression on the metal surface, meaning it is the best at hiding scratches.
The hammered finish is a popular choice for textured finishes as it gives a unique appearance. The unusual texture is achieved by using a light hummer to pound each dimple on the surface of the jewellery, thus the name of the finish.
It is worth mentioning that there are different hammered finishes, such as classic, vertically and horizontally hammered, and all hammered finishes vary from jeweller to jeweller. Also, the hammered finish combines two finishes in one. First, the jewellery is hammered, then it is either polished to give a glossy look, or the matte finish is applied to make the surface non-reflective.
The Florentine finish is probably the fanciest style. It features delicate criss-cross patterns usually done by hand. This finish was created to add a touch of romance to a piece of jewellery. The contours and lines on the metal surface were meant to complement the brilliance of the centre diamond and reflect light back to the stone.
Featured image: bigshot01 / Shutterstock
Selecting the metal finish for plumbing and hardware products should be an easy final step at the end of a remodeling project, right? Not so much. In fact, this decision often leaves many homeowners scratching their heads. We named some of the most popular finish options on the market and compared them to iron out (no pun intended!) any confusion when heading to the showroom for your home improvement final touches.
Chrome vs. Nickel
Homeowners often come to us asking for a finish that looks “silver”. Well, we have good news for you (or bad news, if you’re indecisive): you have plenty of choices!
Chrome is one of the most popular choices for plumbing fixtures thanks to its inexpensive price point (often the most affordable finish option) and durability. Chrome is shiny and brilliantly reflects the light in your kitchen or bathroom for an eye-catching delight. This material resists corrosion and rust, making it a practical choice that will last for several years. The only complaint we hear about chrome is that it tends to show water spots and fingerprints. If that’s a pet peeve of yours, there’s more options for you.
Brushed nickel gets its slightly matte appearance from being treated with a wire brush. We’re seeing more and more clients navigate towards a brushed nickel finish, and for good reason. This finish has a luxurious, almost hand-crafted aesthetic that hides water spots and fingerprints well. Brushed nickel looks fabulous in homes that boast a traditional or transitional design, earth tones or warmer palettes. Brushed nickel is a style that has stood the test of time and also tends to offer a mid-range price point, giving you a bit of flexibility in your home improvement project. In a nutshell: it’s a great fit for many homes!
You’ll find plenty of products with a polished finish, as well. The difference between brushed and polished is simply that a product with a polished finish isn’t treated to have a texture, the way brushed materials are.
Polished nickel looks very similar to chrome, but when you place them side by side, you’ll notice that polished nickel has a warmer tone than chrome. We find that clients will turn to polished nickel when they like the look of chrome, but are seeking a warmer tone or perhaps they previously had chrome fixtures and desire an upgrade. Polished nickel tends to show water spots and fingerprints much like chrome, and it does tend to require a bit more maintenance than chrome does.
Bronze
A bronze finish is a fantastic choice to add a warmer final touch to your home improvement project. While various manufacturers will have their own unique options that will vary in color, oil-rubbed bronze is a common one that is treated with a solution to give the base metal a dark, rustic feel that plays well with a Mediterranean or Tuscan-style home. Many homeowners who are seeking a traditional aesthetic in their space will turn to oil-rubbed bronze for an aged look. Moodier than chrome or nickel, this finish may stand at a higher price point, and hides water spots and fingerprints well, making oil-rubbed bronze a low-maintenance choice.
Brass
If you’re seeking a “gold” appearance, brass is the finish you’re looking for! Brass offers a stunning, vintage aesthetic and demands attention in whatever space it’s placed in. Brass looks fantastic in rooms with a white or grey palette, and compliments navy blue with a beauty that’s simply unparalleled.
You might notice that home products with a satin finish will look similar to products with a polished finish. However, there is a slight difference! A satin finish will appear more matte than a polished finish, but will lack the texture that a brushed finish offers. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference and what you want to see in your space. Feeling torn? A helpful tip for choosing the right option is to take home a few accessories with slightly different finishes and see what you like the best. You don’t have to commit!
Don’t Sweat It!
While we’ve summarized some of the most popular finish options on the market, there still remains an enormous variety of finish options to choose from, and you’ll notice that many manufacturers will create their own finishes unique to their brand. If you’re still feeling stuck, our designers are prepared to answer your questions and help guide you in the right direction. The silver lining of having so many options to choose from is that you’re guaranteed to find exactly what you’re looking for to add the perfect final touch to your home. Come by and explore!