QuestionI love costume jewelry because it's affordable & I do get bored with the few good pieces I have & wear all the time. My question is this, can silver costume jewelry be restored? I didn't know if there was a dip of some kind that will bring back the shine. Since these pieces are not sterling the usual polish & dips have no effect. I was wondering if there was a silver coating that would temporarily restore the piece. I have a few favorite pieces that I hate to throw away.
AnswerTerri, thanks for this question. You see, eventhough I am a professional jeweler and my wife has some nice pieces...what does she wear around most of the time? Avon. That's right! My advice to her is the same to you: There is little or nothing to do to restore the silver color to costume jewelry.
There is never a certainty in what the original plated metal was to make the color and to even try will be something jewelers will not accept. Some of the metals in costume jewelry will contaminate the precious metal plating baths they have. Also, the price of even tying while "knowing the results will not be good" would be quite high compared to the value of the jewelry.
I do understand having a connection to a certain piece of jewelry, whether costume or gold. Still, restoration is not a reliable option. Sorry, that is how I see it from my years of work in the trade.
Please enjoy the jewelry as long as you can, knowing the end will come over time.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas. July 5, 2006 7:50pm
