QuestionI have a ring which is 14 kt gold and has a silver pave setting on top of a butterfly w/ little diamonds encrusting the butterfly. My problem is the gold metal around the silver metal has a tarnish on it. How do I clean this?
AnswerHi, KIm. This sort of tarnish can happen over time from exposure to the environment and things that get on the hands and the ring. Often, it shows up at a place where soldering was done, such as attaching a white metal plate to a yellow ring.
Are you sure the top is silver and not white gold? If the ring only has a karat stamp I suspect the white is white gold but could be wrong on that. I mention this because cleaning methods may vary in one case mentioned below.
First, I would try baking soda. Use a paste in your fingers to rub the tarnished areas or if the tarnish is hard to reach, try a soft toothbrush(I do mean soft). If this doesn't work, try a jewelry polishing cloth, the sort made to remove tarnish and restore a shine. If recesses are involved, the cloth will not work.
Another method is to use "silver dip", the sort of stuff used to quickly clean tarnish from silver and silver plate tableware items and jewelry. I don't like this cleaner with silver since just a bit too long in the cleaner leaves a frosty or white/gray surface. This surface is purer silver left when tarnish is removed. You don't want this surface on the white part of your ring if it is indeed silver. Still, don't go purchase this cleaner. If you happen to have some, dip the ring for no more than 15 seconds. It might work.
Silver polish will generally also remove tarnish from gold items. Use as with cleaning tarnish from silver. Again, not many folks have silver cleaner around the house either.
The best method is to take the ring to a jeweler and have the tarnish buffed off. This will not only remove the tarnish but will restore the finish to your ring. There will be a charge but likely not very high. Ask to see if the jewelers has a "bench jeweler" in-house, at the store. No need going to a store selling and farming out the jewelry work and a phone call will save a useless trip.
Try what you may from the above. First the baking soda which will work if the tarnish is not too bad and you can get to it to rub the tarnish off. If you need more, do not hesitate to get back to me with the "follow-up" option.
Kim, thanks for this question.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. Sept. 7,2007 10:29pm
