Audrey,
I’ve heard about using Krylon spray. Haven’t tried it. I’ve seen some
posts on Ganoksin suggesting the same clear lacquer used for
automobiles. Logic being that if this lacquer can last through road
dings, it might stand up to jewelry wear.
I’ve found a website recommending a product called ProtectaClear
from Everbrite.
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7zg6
The jewelry artist who recommends this is Jade Orchid. Here is her
blog, called “A Work in Progress:”
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7zg7
If you scan down the posts in her blog, you’ll find two relevant
posts. The first is June 6th - click on this link, and at the bottom
of the page she has a detailed tutorial about using ProtectaClear
which can be downloaded as a PDF. On June 16, just above the June 6
post, she has an additional PDF about using ProtectaClear to protect
chain.
The staff at Everbrite are very willing to answer questions. The
jeweler, Jade Artist, may also be willing to comment about her
experiences in using ProtectaClear.
The comments I’ve read about using any kind of lacquer generally
include the statement that eventually, somehow, jewelry will get
dinged hard enough to chip even the hardest lacquer. At that dinged
place, tarnish starts to form. The customer might get unhappy enough
with the spot(s) of tarnish to bring the work back to the jeweler.
The jeweler then has the joyous task of removing all the lacquer
without damaging patina or stones, cleaning up the tarnished area,
then presumably sealing the work again.
It may be well nigh onto impossible to remove a permanent lacquer
without also causing changes to any original patina in the work.
So far, I’ve been giving my customers a section of Sunshine cloth
and telling them that jewelry subject to tarnish should be stored in
a clear plastic bag to slow down the tarnishing process.
I have an ionic cleaner from Speedbrite. This uses chemicals which
are safe even for pearls. I haven’t tried turquoise or jade in the
cleaner yet; you can ask the company about the cleaner’s ability to
work with these stones.
This cleaner has been a godsend for me. I just put several pairs of
earrings, or one bracelet or necklace, at a time in the cleaner;
turn it on for 10-20 seconds; and the silver comes out clean. Copper
also comes out bright and shiny. notice: any patina on the metal goes
away (use sunshine cloth on patina’ed metals). I use this cleaner
when I’m getting ready for shows, or when my own jewelry starts to
show tarnish.
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/ep7zg8
Hope this helps.
Mary Alexander