Hi all, In the middle of show season I am finding my most often
asked question by customers is ‘how should I care for this piece’ and
often it is the determing factor as to whether or not they will buy
it. I really feel like I should have a prepared and fullproof answer
for them. My work is predominantly sterling with a brushed finish,
but recently I have added some Polymer clay elements to my line and I
also have pearls and beads on many pieces. Also, several of the
pieces are formed and intricately dimensional. A polishing cloth will
change the finish and would also be too cumbersome for most pieces.
I would love some opinions as to what I should tell them will really
clean and untarnish the sterling without damaging the not-metal
elements. Usually if I can convince them it will not be so difficult
to take care of, I can make the sale. Contrarily, a piece that is
difficult to maintain will not be bought no matter how much they like
it!!
All suggestions much appreciated.
Grace, Cleveland (Hoping everyone’s shows are going well)
Hi Grace and Tom,
I always use washing up liquid to clean my silver and beads, its
especially good at taking the tarnish off silver. I use fairy liquid
washing up liquid, it should be fine with clay too.
Best wishes
Tina
Dublin, Ireland
Hello Grace
There is a product for cleaning silver and gold which makes it very
easy. You just dip the jewelry in it leave it for a while. It’s
called “Gold dip” and “Silver dip”, the brand is Hagerty. You only
have to take it out when it’s clean and dry padding it. It doesn’t
effect pearls or beads as far as I know.
I’m sure they sell it in Europe ( Beco, Buysschaert, Fisher,…).
But I don’t know about the U.S.
Greatings
Kristel Verhaert
Peter Benoitstraat 21/5
3500 Hasselt
Belgium
Hello Orchid Members:
My name is Tina Ratner. I am new to Orchid. I live in the Kansas
City, Missouri area.
I am a collector of Vintage and Costume Jewelry. I collect Chanel,
Givenchy, YSL, and Schiaparelli.
I’m really looking forward to being a part of this Jewelry Group.
In regards to cleaning silver and gold, you can also use Jewelry
Joose, which is quite popular. I’m sure most of you have heard of
Jewelry Joose.
I’m wanting to learn techniques for making jewelry. How do you repair
a bead that has broken from a necklace?
Perhaps someone can help me out with that question.
Have a lovely day everyone!!!
Very Best,
TINA
@Tina_Ratner
Someone else posted a recipe for a home made jewelry cleaner a while
back. I still use it for everything, including pearls: about 1 tbsp
of Arm and Hammer WASHING soda–not baking soda–dissolved in a cup
of warm water. Put a piece of aluminum foil in with it and add the
jewelry. The tarnish comes off of the jewelry and onto the aluminum
foil.
J. Sue Ellington
I use fairy liquid washing up liquid, it should be fine wit=
h
clay too.
Ummm - washing-up liquid I understand, but what is “fairy liquid”?
I hope this doesn’t imply that in Ireland one catches the little
people and wrings them out like oranges!
Tas
about 1 tbsp of Arm and Hammer WASHING soda--not baking
soda--dissolved in a cup of warm water. Put a piece of aluminum
foil in with it and add the jewelry.
Yes - this works well - there used to be a product you could by that
was called something lightening. It was a fancy piece of aluminum,
all smooth edged, and sold for $10? or so, and the instructions said
to use washing soda. When I realized what it was, I did indeed try it
with aluminum foil, but only on silver. I will try it on other
stuff! Worked quite well! I had forgotten all about this in my search
for home remedies for jewelry cleaning,
Thank you very much for the reminder!! :o)
Sincerely,
Mary Beth M.
I'm wanting to learn techniques for making jewelry. How do you
repair a bead that has broken from a necklace?
Has the bead split or has the head pin broken?? If the bead has
split, try some epoxy resin, I’ve never tried sticking two sides of a
bead together, but I have used it to fix stones, and it has a clear
finish.
Test it out on something else first, and get your technique
together.
Tina
Dublin, Ireland