The Vintage Factor (Or how to clean Vintage Sterling)
The Vintage Factor - caring for your Sterling Silver treasures.Having collected, designed and manufactured jewelry for over 30 years, I decided it was time to share some of the goodies I amassed on eBay and along the way. I had wanted to share my knowledge too and write a Guide for eBay but had a serious writer block until earlier today, when a Buyer asked me the following question:
Q - I have just started collecting beautiful Sterling Silver bracelets. I have always worn Gold.I never know what I should do about polishing these Vintage Bracelets. Is it a matter of preference or should they be left as is?
A - The degree of polish is a preference decision but you also have to be careful not to remove the aged patina too much. I have seen beautiful vintage pieces that were polished too brightly and lost their vintage character. The first rule of thumb for me is to never dip a piece of Vintage Silver jewelry in a dip silver cleaner as it would totally destroy the patina. It would make it look new and most collectors will never do that. I prefer a light hand polishing that enhances the beauty of the piece without affecting the Vintage Factor. The following instructions are for Sterling and Alpaca with hard stones jewelry only. First, wash in mild soap and water to remove the surface dirty and grime. Then use a soft polishing cloth to enhance the higher parts of piece. That is it. You may wish to keep them in sealed bags or wrapped in anti tarnish tissue paper. The best way to keep any piece of Sterling Silver jewelry in top condition is to wear it! Enjoy your treasures and the treasure hunt! If you found this guide helpful, please vote for it. Your vote helps decide which Guides & Reviews will be added! Have fun collecting! Thank you for stopping by!
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