Pearls - Cleaning Question

Jewelry Discussion
1

My current projects have been constructed with silver wire and
pearls. Returning to my studio I compared the work I had done at the
beach with the work I had done before I left. On the pieces that I
had done at the beach the silver had quickly tarnished in the salt
air. Any suggestions as to how to clean the silver wirework but not
harm the pearls.

Thanks in advance!

Nan

2 
My current projects have been constructed with silver wire and
pearls. Returning to my studio I compared the work I had done at the
beach with the work I had done before I left.  On the pieces that I
had done at the beach the silver had quickly tarnished in the salt
air.  Any suggestions  as to how to clean the silver wirework but not
harm the pearls.

Dear Nan,

I had the self-same problem until people on the list helped me spend
the $'s to buy a Speed Brite unit. I bought it specifically for pearl
and metal jewelry as I have a booth on a Pier over saltwater. It
works very well and I no longer have a hestitation about using
sterling and pearls together. Suzanne

P.S. Get the top of the line unit with turbo and stainless steel
basket if you purchase one, it pays in this case to buy the best.

3

Hi Nan-- I have been successful in cleaning fine silver crocheted
necklaces that have freshwater pearls woven into them with
Tarnex(although the label does indicate that it shouldn’t be used on
pearls)–I don’t leave it on very long, and wash the item with soapy
water after it’s been cleaned. The Tarnex works very quickly and the
pearls seem unharmed. However, it’s a good idea
to give it a trial run to check it out. Sincerely Sandra