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Prevent and Remove Verdigris

by Dale Armstrong
Question:

I have a question about verdigris. How can you clean old pieces of jewelry (copper, brass, sterling) that have this powdery blue/green substance on it?

Why does it grow on some pieces and not others? Will it spread to other jewelry in close proximity?

-Teri in Granite Bay, California
Instructions

Answer:

Yes, verdigris (the natural patina formed with the oxidization of copper) is not only a pain to clean, especially from intricate antique costume jewelry, but it is also a toxic substance.

You've laid out a really clear picture of how verdigris can be such a silent enemy to copper-based jewelry! It's like the perfect storm of moisture, pollutants, and even body oils teaming up to slowly corrode and damage pieces over time.

The fact that verdigris can spread like a "contagious disease" among stored jewelry is especially important keeping vintage and mixed-metal pieces separated really becomes crucial. Plus, that thin or worn plating making the metal vulnerable is a detail many might overlook until it's too late.

Do you have favorite methods or products for safely cleaning and preventing verdigris buildup on copper, brass, or bronze pieces?

From about age 9, I have been collecting vintage rhinestone costume jewelry and I have always used cheap toothpaste and a soft brush to clean any verdigis from the metals.

That's such a thoughtful and careful cleaning routine really shows how delicate vintage or copper-based jewelry can be! Using small tools like dental picks and twisted wire to gently remove crud before brushing with a soft toothbrush and toothpaste is smart, especially because it avoids scratching stones or damaging glued parts. And the tip about brushing in the direction of the metal makes total sense to minimize wear.

I also love that you rinse with dampened scraps of fabric and cotton swabs instead of dunking the whole piece in water so much safer for fragile components. Storing pieces individually in velvet-lined boxes or bags to prevent contact and further corrosion is a great final touch.

Do you find this method works well for heavily verdigris-affected pieces, or do you sometimes have to use more specialized cleaning products or professional restoration?.

Dale Armstrong's Prevent and Remove Verdigris - , General Education, Oxidizing Wire, Oxidizing, Antiquing Wire, Antiquing, , Vintage rhinestones

To clean the tops of any glass stones, I use a cotton swab dipped in ammonia, and then rinse with a clean swab and dry with another. No, none of the stones in the vintage jewelry that I personally collect are either foil-backed or glued.

There are many other ways that other folks clean antique costume jewelry. Some use vinegar, others swear by lemon juice, still others like to use either ketchup or Worcestershire sauce!

Whatever you do, remember that after spending hours fastidiously cleaning these special pieces, make sure they are completely dry before storing them.



Answer contributed by Dale "Cougar" Armstrong

Materials

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Tools

Polish and cleaning
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  • Category: General Education
  • Technique(s): Oxidizing / Antiquing, General Education

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