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Post by Pat on Dec 28, 2012 22:56:10 GMT -5
Have you ever cleaned tarnished jewelry made of sterling set with stones such as lab ruby, topaz, peridot etc in a tumbler with steel shot?
I'm referring to stud earrings.
Did it work?
Were the stones damaged?
Thanks.
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 28, 2012 23:05:39 GMT -5
Why chance it ? Put crumpled aluminum foil in the bottom of a soup bowl. Cover with hot water. Add a tablespoon of baking soda and drop in your earrings. After a few minutes they'll come out clean and tarnish free.
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Post by Pat on Dec 28, 2012 23:53:55 GMT -5
Don, I tried that. Didn't work. Don't know why.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Dec 29, 2012 5:54:02 GMT -5
That works great at removing the tarnish. If it's real bad you might need to do it a couple of times. However, you still need to polish it up with one of those cloths to get it nice & shiny again. Are you sure it's silver?
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Post by Pat on Dec 29, 2012 10:01:42 GMT -5
Donnie, yes, I'm sure it's sterling silver. My pieces are turning gray, not just tarnish.
I'm wondering if I need to wash them in soap afterwards, not just rinse them off. Going to try that today, too.
What do you think about the silver jewelry dips?
Last night I put them in the tumbler with steel shot and Dawn for about two hours. Much better. Going to give them more time in the tumbler this morning.
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Post by gingerkid on Dec 31, 2012 9:20:04 GMT -5
Hi, Pat. Wow, how do the stones look after you placed them in the tumbler?
I use a silver dip for most of my sterling jewelry, with the exception of opals.
I think ZAM will polish 'em up? Probably messy though?
What about a polishing cloth?
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Post by Pat on Dec 31, 2012 10:22:53 GMT -5
Jan, the stones did just fine. No chips or scratches. I've been tumble polishing bracelets of sterling jump rings with Swarovski crystal cubes for ages. Does a beautiful job. I found a website run by a gemologist. She says she tumble polishes gemstones all the time. I think this does not include pearls, amber, coral or other soft or porous material. Here's the website: www.hodgepodgerie.com/It's beginning to appear that I need to use a polishing cloth even after the tumble polish or the Tarn X cleaner or the Stoddard's Silver Dip. Sounds like maybe the tumble or dips only clean, but the items still need protection via the polishing cloth. I have Rio's Sunshine cloth. Do you use a polishing cloth after dipping/rinsing/drying? Maybe I just need to dip more! I have Zam on a muslin wheel. I'll see how that does, too. Thanks for the suggestions. |
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Post by gingerkid on Dec 31, 2012 10:31:47 GMT -5
Hi, Pat! Happy New Year! ;D Glad that the stones came out of your tumbler nicely. Hope the ZAM on the muslin buff works! Love the website and thanks for the link. The name of the site is cute. I need to purchase another polishing cloth. I usually don't polish them after dipping jewelry in silver dip, but imagine a little extra shine sounds nice.  |
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