Home / Jewelry Making Tips and Techniques / Red Rouge

Red Rouge

by Dale Armstrong
Question:

Why should I use, and what is the proper way to use, "red rouge"?
Instructions
Answer:

Personally I do not use red rouge, but I know a lot of folks who do and I have my own 'expert' right here so: Red rouge (also known as jeweler's rouge) is a very fine powdered, ferric oxide (iron) that can be purchased as a powder, a paste or in a bar or peel-away tube form (combined with wax or grease). It is also present in certain polishing cloths.

Red rouge is an extremely fine compound that is used to put a final polish on silver, copper, brass, gold, and platinum metals as it will not scratch or remove any of the metal while being used.

Dale Armstrong's Red Rouge - , General Education, Tools, , Red Rouge
For assistance with this answer, I went to my own 'in-house lapidary'/boilermaker husband Charlie who says: "If you want to use red rouge to polish jewelry, you need to use it with a power tool such as a dremel or a polishing machine (with a dust collector and hood) equipped with a buffing wheel made of felt, muslin or flannel, and the ideal speed of the tool used is about 5000 rpm. (Never use a buff for more than one compound and keep each buff clean and separate from others by storing in a plastic bag, labeled with what compound it is impregnated with, as well as what metal it is used on.) Always wear eye protection and work in an area with really good ventilation, better yet wear a respirator!
The rouge is sparingly applied to the wheel while it is running slowly and then, using light pressure, begin polishing your piece. Be careful going around your stones and beads and when you are finished, use a soft, clean cloth to remove any residual rouge."
Dale Armstrong's Red Rouge - , General Education, Tools, , Polisher
Dale Armstrong's Red Rouge - , General Education, Tools, , Hood
Dale Armstrong's Red Rouge - , General Education, Tools, , Buff

Materials

Red Rouge Polishing Paste - 4 Ounce
G9-7
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.98
Out of Stock
Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Benchtop Polisher
POL-260.00
  • POL-260.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $115.97
  • Gold Club Price: $86.98
Add to Bag
Hood for Benchtop Polisher
POL-262.00
  • POL-262.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $41.97
  • Gold Club Price: $31.48
Add to Bag
Combed Finex Muslin Buff--Loose, Leather Center
BUF-693.35
  • BUF-693.35
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Add to Bag
Combed Finex Muslin Buff--Loose, Plastic Center
BUF-633.54
  • BUF-633.54
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $3.60
  • Gold Club Price: $2.70
Add to Bag
Combed Finex Muslin Buff--Stitched, Leather Center
BUF-683.35
  • BUF-683.35
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Add to Bag
Muslin Buff 4 x 50p
BUF-684.50
  • BUF-684.50
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Add to Bag
Variable Speed Rotary Tool with Flexible Shaft
G26-51
  • G26-51
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $49.97
  • Gold Club Price: $37.48
Add to Bag
Safety Glasses
G21-1
  • G21-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Price: $2.97
  • Gold Club Price: $2.23
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Tools, General Education

Reviews

Login to post a Review
Login to be the first to review this Tip!