The Daily Antiques Authority Site

A Great Antique Resource

Our Featured antique radio restoration Writer

A Few Simple Steps for Cleaning Antique Jewelry

By Ibda Nowin

If that piece of antique jewelry were just a little cleaner, wouldn't you wear it more often? But the idea of taking chemicals or some other cleaner to your grandmother's broche is just something you don't want to deal with. What sorts of materials are safe for cleaning and what should be avoided? Are there any special tips or procedures I should follow? These are the questions this article will answer, and when you've finished reading you'll be better equipped to take out that piece of antique jewelry and wear it with pride.

As you might guess, it is important to read the label of any cleaning solution you intend to use on your piece of antique jewelry. It is important to make sure the cleaning solution doesn't contain ammonia, vinegar, or any other acids or alcohols. These chemicals might harm the finish of your antique jewelry. They could also damage any stones or materials used to mount the stones. But it's not just chemicals you have to watch out for.

Although the old standby of good old soap and water might be good for some cleaning situations, it isn't the best choice for cleaning your piece of antique jewelry. Soaps can leave a residue on your jewelry, making the metal look flat and the stones look dull. Aside from that, the water might dissolve mounting materials such as glue and run the risk of losing the gems from your piece.

If the primary problem is dust, you can simply use a very soft toothbrush to clean your piece of antique jewelry. Use the softest toothbrush you can find, and of course make sure there is no toothpaste residue left on the bristles. A brand new toothbrush, set aside for cleaning your older pieces of jewelry, might be the safest bet.

A very important step in cleaning any piece of antique jewelry is ensuring it is thoroughly dried when you're finished with it. Keep moisture and dampness away from stored jewelry also, since dampness is a culprit who encourages verdigris, rust, pitting of plated metals, and other damaging conditions.

So there you have a quick rundown on the care and cleaning of your antique jewelry. Of course, if you're still a little gun shy about damaging a piece from cleaning, you could always take it to a professional jeweler to have it cleaned. Remember it is important that you don't do anything to modify a piece of antique jewelry, since doing so could drastically decrease its value as a collectible.

Wouldn't your grandmother be proud if she could see her antique broche all spruced up and ready for a night on the town?

About The Author

Ibda Nowin is an avid writer that loves to write to increase public awareness on topics of interested. If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out more of his work, available at many of the popular article directories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ibda_Nowin

Hints About antique radio restoration

I prefer single-owner shops to antique malls, although the former are getting harder and harder to find. Single-owner shops offer more personal service, and the proprietor can usually tell you the background on a piece or where it was found. It�s easier to negotiate the price, too. Plus space is limited in many mall stalls, so you�re less likely to find a large selection of furniture in them.
Buy antique dressers today!

High Quality Merchandise. This tells you two important things about a dealer. First, it establishes that they have the knowledge necessary to find and care for desireable antiques. Secondly, it is some reassurance that they are serious about dealing as a profession. Someone who takes the time to learn about antiques and who selects only the highest quality items has invested years in that effort. This is something they enjoy and will probably stick with.
Buy antique furniture today!

IS IT WISE TO REPAIR IT? Sometimes, what looks like damage actually makes an antique valuable. As with vintage cars, the original paint or finish on an antique desk might be prized, no matter what its condition.
Buy pewter antique jewelry today!

All The Latest News From The antique radio restoration World

Antiques Poll of the Week

...

Chinese Antiques - Calligraphy

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:22:44 -0600
Chinese Cabinets, Chests, Tables, Statues and Carvings - Ancient Chinese Vases, jewelry of Brass, Bronze and Wooden Art - and an Introduction to Calligraphy.

Antique Musical Instruments -Vintage Guitars

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:24:06 -0600
Old player pianos, vintage guitars and Vintage guitars and violins, saxaphones, horns, grand pianos, old phonographs and vintage sheet music - instruments from the past .. a history of Les Paul Vintage Gibson Guitars and news about a Very Ancient Musical Instrument - the Bagpipe - did you know it wasn't invented in Scotland but goes back to the Babylonian Empire .. and its being revived in modern music.


century antique radio
antique radio bench

posted by The Antiques Dealer @ 4:57 PM