Expert: Thomas - 8/10/2010

Question
I have some mother of pearl shells, how do I get rid of the black rind and make it shine like the store bought ones. I tried to polish with wet and dry sand paper, but it does not have a glossy shine like the comercial finished ones.

Thanks.

Answer
Dear Chiachen,

The sand paper is needed to remove the rough stuff and get to a surface smooth enough to polish. What you need to do is go a bit further to get the polish. I suggest sanding to at least a 600 grit in fineness.  

Polishing will take a buff, by hand if you have lots and lots of elbow strength and are willing to take that time! A small rotating cotton or muslin buffing wheel will make it go a lot quicker. You can use a compound made for polishing plastics. I could recommend other polishing compounds to use but those are more difficult to get and really won't do a better job. Get a plastics polishing compound from an auto supply store (also a very good place to get fine sand paper).  Use a buff on a drill or small Dremel™ type tool to polish the shell.  If you use a larger buff on a drill motor, it might be easier fix the drill in a set place, held securely, and then get it to run and use you hands to hold the shell against the rotating buff.  Go easy, do not use too much speed or overheat the shell.  It will get a shine quickly.  Just put more polishing compound on the buff if it is not working and try again.

By hand means rubbing and rubbing with felt or similar cloth with the polishing compound.

The shine is there, hiding and ready to come out and look spectacular!

Best wishes in shining the shell. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.