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Daily Wire Tip Feb. 7: Cleaning Tarnish Off Silver Jewelry

By on February 7, 2010
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip
February 07, 2010

Question:

I work primarily with silver (argentium).  Will I get black spots on the cuffed bracelets where the wires lie next to each other in the bracelets or where they touch on any of the other wrapped surfaces?  I’ve asked for one that includes the basket, and intended to cut down on the time they are in the solution. I selected the ionic cleaner, because I also often use delicate stones.  Should I consider another method for cleaning my finished pieces?

Answer:

Most of my silver work is also done in argentium and I have had no problems using the ionic cleaner where the argentium touches itself at all. (Which is one of the wonderful properties of this amazing metal.) The only negative issue with sterling in the ionic cleaner is the one mentioned about cleaning sterling chain. If I have a sterling jewelry piece that has become really, really tarnished and the cleaner doesn’t take all of the black tarnish off, I have found that by using a soft toothbrush on those locations, (after running through the cleaner but before rinsing), helps to loosen the remaining crud and then it rinses off under running water. If there is still some residue, I finish it off by hand using a polishing cloth.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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