Jewelry Care

Clean AS & UAS (Acid Silver & Ultra Acid Silver)

Equipment

  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Old toothbrush
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plastic or glass bowl
  • Salt

Instruction

  1. Mix together equal parts baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Dab this paste liberally onto your jewelry and let sit for an hour.
  2. Using an old toothbrush and the paste, scrub your jewelry gently. Rinse off the paste completely, and let dry.
  3. Place a sheet of aluminum foil in a shallow plastic or glass bowl. Do not use a metal bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoon (30 ml) of baking soda and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of salt on the foil.
  4. Place your jewelry on top of the foil. Pour hot water into the bowl, over your jewelry.
  5. Cover the bowl and wait 5 minutes. Remove the cover and take out your jewelry. The aluminium foil, baking soda, salt, and hot water creates a reaction that removes the tarnish from the silver.

Clean MR, MZ, & TOM (Matte Brass, Matte White Bronze, and Tombac)

Bronze is an alloy, or a mixture of metals, comprised mainly of copper with typically tin and other metals. Bronze will oxidize when exposed to air, developing a patina coating: a brown, black, red or blue to green coating on bronze is a sign of normal, harmless corrosion. This outer layer protects the inner layers of the bronze object from deteriorating. This coating can be considered attractive or desirable. However, if you prefer to remove the patina, follow the instructions below.

Equipment

  • Distilled water (warmed)
  • Old toothbrush
  • Baking soda
  • Lemon juice

Instruction

  1. Rinse the bronze item in warm, distilled water and gently clean it with a toothbrush in order to remove dust.
  2. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda into a small bowl.
  3. Drip lemon juice—either fresh or concentrate—very slowly over the baking soda until the mixture is just wet enough to create a paste similar in consistency to toothpaste. You might see a little bubbling or some fizzing for a minute or two; this is normal.
  4. Gently rub the paste onto the bronze and leave it for about 20 minutes.
  5. Rinse with distilled water, rubbing with your fingers to remove all of the paste.

Re-blacken KA (Black Sterling)

Equipment

  • Liver of Sulfur (1 oz. jar)
  • 3 Mason jars
  • Baking soda
  • Water (hot and cold)
  • Plastic spoons
  • Old toothbrush
  • Latex or vinyl gloves
  • Paper towels

Instruction

  1. Always work outside when using Liver of Sulfur (LOS). Make sure you wear gloves and designate glass or ceramic containers such as Mason jars that will be used only for this purpose.
  2. Clean the silver before you begin. Polishing residues, wax, or fingerprints can affect the consistency of the oxidation. Hot soapy water and an old toothbrush works well.
  3. Make a neutralizing bath. You will use this later to neutralize the silver once you have finished oxidizing. To make the neutralizing bath:
    1. Using one Mason jar, mix 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of baking soda in 1 cup (250 ml) of cold water.
    2. Stir solution until the baking soda is dissolved. Set aside for later.
  4. Prepare your workstation. You need 2 Mason jars with 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water in each, the neutralizing bath you just made, Liver of Sulfur (LOS), the jewelry you wish to oxidize, a pair of gloves, a plastic spoon, and some paper towels.
  5. Drop the silver into the hot water of one Mason jar.
  6. In the other Mason jar add 1 pea sized lump of LOS to the hot water.
  7. Mix thoroughly.
  8. Remove the silver from the hot water and carefully place the silver into the LOS solution trying not to splash.
  9. Leave the silver in the LOS solution until it reaches the desired color, stirring occasionally to get an even finish.
  10. Remove the silver from the LOS solution and place the silver in the neutralising bath. This will arrest any further oxidation of the silver.
  11. Remove the silver from the neutralizing bath and dry slightly with the paper towel.
  12. Use a polishing cloth to polish and seal the oxidized finish. Be careful not to completely rub off the oxidation.
  13. Put 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of baking soda into the LOS solution to neutralize it.
  14. Loosely seal the Mason jar that contains the LOS solution and leave the jar outdoors, out of the reach of children or animals. The LOS will degrade and eventually turn clear. Once it is clear it is no longer toxic and you can dispose of it by diluting the solution and flushing it down the drain.
  15. Congratulations! You have oxidized your silver.