| |
  » All Jewelry |
Sterling SilverSterling Silver does tarnish, but can be cleaned with any commercial polishing cloth, available at most places that sell jewelry (though I do not, at the moment, carry them).I polish my chain maille in a tumbler, with stainless steel shot and Dawn dish soap. These are available for about $50 at jewelry supply shops and hobby shops. Some of my designs are too delicate to withstand a vigorous polishing, like my Techno Grape Earrings. These are more easily cleaned by dampening a toothbrush and dipping it in baking soda, then scrubbing gently. This is also a good way to polish chain maille, which can be difficult to manage with a polishing cloth.
Keep Your Copper ShinyNatural copper tarnishes much more quickly than silver. It can look good as it first starts to go, as the oxidation brings out iridescent blues, greens and reds, but soon the shine will become dull and the colors will end up black. You can keep your copper penny-bright by dipping it in a solution of lemon juice and salt. If this doesn't restore the shine, the above prescribed baking soda on a toothbrush should bring it back, good as new.
Some Other Useful NotesSpecial care should be taken when polishing glass with iridescent coatings and dyed gemstones. I do not use dyed gemstones if I can help it, with the notable exception of pearls, for which I have a weakness. I have, on more than one occasion, successfully tumble polished dyed pearls with no ill effects, but I would not suggest this as a rule. Coated glass should never be tumble polished, nor should faceted stones, as it can damage the edges of the facets.Amber should never be put in water. It is not a stone, and soaking it in liquid will ruin it.
|
Site & jewelry designs copyright 2006 J.M. Cowan. All rights reserved. | |
