ocarny
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posted on August 25, 2005 09:14:39 AM new
Hi everyone.....I recently bought a lot of costume jewelry. In the lot, I found several pieces marked 14k. Can anyone tell me the best way to clean 14k? I have tried my regular jewelry cleaner, but these pieces are coming out shiny. Any help will be much appreciated.
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ocarny
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posted on August 25, 2005 09:16:30 AM new
Sorry, I meant the pieces are not shiny. oops
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max40
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posted on August 25, 2005 10:12:26 AM new
Simichrome polish. It polishes without scratching. Works on anything that can be polished. There are several other brand name polishes that do the same thing.
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sanmar
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posted on August 25, 2005 11:01:06 AM new
Another one is "Cape Cod" Polishing cloths. Works great on silver & gold with no danger of scratching. Also has a pleasant odor. Many Antique shops carry them. I have been using them for several years on all types of silver, flatware & hollow ware.
Life Is Too Short To Drink Bad Wine
[ edited by sanmar on Aug 25, 2005 12:32 PM ]
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sparkz
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posted on August 25, 2005 11:09:33 AM new
The advantage of Simichrome is that it can also be used to test plastic items to determine if they are Bakelite.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
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toasted36
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posted on August 25, 2005 11:33:43 AM new
The disadvantage of Simichrome is lol  ! Setting the tube down in my messy eBay room and not being able to find it ...omg I spent two hours cleaning my eBay room looking for the dang tube and still ain't found it. I'd be better off going and buying another tube !! Great stuff thou if ya can keep up with it [blush]
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cblev65252
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posted on August 25, 2005 02:05:42 PM new
Please, before you advertise it on eBay as 14K have it tested! I bought two separate lots with items in it marked 14K and they weren't 14k. They were counterfeit. It will save you some problems. Not everything marked 14k is actually 14k.
I use a polishing cloth and nothing else when cleaning silver or gold.
Cheryl
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blueyes29
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posted on August 25, 2005 02:10:50 PM new
Along these same lines...Is is a good idea to clean costume jewelry for listing? I've come into a huge lot of various items and was debating whether or not to clean them. Some are quite old. It's the old "to clean or not to clean...that is the question" quandry. Guidance from expert sellers is appreciated.
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max40
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posted on August 25, 2005 03:24:53 PM new
I'd be very leary about using any kind of polish on PLATED jewelry. Even Simichrome can buff thru a thin plating job.
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on August 25, 2005 06:52:13 PM new
We should all have 4 or 5 tubes of Semichrome - there was a good supplier on ebay if he's still doing it - great prices.
blueyes29
Yes it is better to clean it if you can do it without damage.
For rhinestone pieces - use Windex and a very soft toothbrush. Best to spray the Windex on the toothpaste and lightly rub the stones. Immediately blot the stones and then lay them face down on a paper towel. Repeat if needed. Always work over a paper towel in case you lose a stone.
If you have corrosion on the metal seek me out here and I'll tell you how to treat that too.
Worn metal is another story - gold rub & buff works great but I don't even know where to buy that anymore - and no one can have my tube.
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jackswebb
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posted on August 25, 2005 09:32:07 PM new
Send it ALL to me ,,,,,I'll clean up quite nicely,,,,oops I meant I'll clean it up quite nicely. 
Space is Valuable. It's later than you  .
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blueyes29
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posted on August 26, 2005 08:17:58 AM new
Thanks, "Ladyjewels"...appreciate the guidance.
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