QuestionDear Dr Ari
I would like to know the best way to polish and clean Mat silver jewellery when they become yellow or darker. What is the most efficient way to clean them in order not to ruin the mat shinning on them and make them look new again? Sincerely Angelo
Answer Hello Angelo,
Matte finishes should be deep enough on the jewelry so that any polishing cloth should not remove the finish. Do not use rouges as they are abrasive.Many companies sell non abrasive polishing cloths.A few brand names "Moonshine" "Selvyt" ( sold by rio grande, fire mountain gems and beads, etc.)" Connoissuers" are for softer materials and provide effective cleaning without removing the finish say, as on pearls- they are great for matte finished pieces. Scloths, are another brand .Be careful though as many cloths that contain a red side and another cloth are impregnated with abrasives and polishing agents and the risk is there. Not that they will remove any finish, but just that the potential, if the finish is not rolled into the metal or otherwise manufactured through applying it with burs, etc, could affect the finish rubbing off. You can generally look at the jewelry and see whether or not it appears to be on the surface or into the metal and decide. If into the metal Simichrome, Mass or any jewelry cream polish (except Brasso which is highly abrasive or a dip product like anti-tarnish liquids that shouldn't be used on faux matte finishes) will work well to clean, and protect the piece. If it is turning yellow and is silver or a silver alloy ( sterling, brilliante, etc) then a chemical reaction is occurring from a cosmetic or bath product if not sweat or a person's skin chemistry. If the jewelry you thought was a precious metal turns colours, check for a stamp or mark of .925, .999 or ' ster' indicating sterling (.925) or fine silver (.999) on the jewelry . Metal clays are fine silver and .999 but they should be marked as metal clay containing- it is generally obvious if it is a metal clay piece however by the craftsmanship- very few look professional and most look like clay .All will turn black in contact with aluminum and certain household chemicals, however the matte finish is into the texture and will not rub off.Cloths of any kind are safe on metal clay jewelry, but their ability to last is questionable and varies with the makers experience and method of firing the pieces.If no such mark of metal standard, ( kt followed by a number , or the silver marks referred to above) exist you have a plated item and the matte finish is probably impermanent.
Oxidation, the darkening in the detail areas of your jewelry can be caused by water, jaccuzi's, pools, etc containing sulfur based elements. the thing to do in the case of that water and regular exposure to it is to use a polish like MAAS or Smichrome, etc, or any polishing cloth to remove the oxidation and lay down a micro-coating of protection that will last a few months if repeated exposure happens.
Most quality art jewelry makers, and manufacturers do not surface apply matting to their pieces and as such it is perfectly safe to use any polishing cloth, even a product like "sunshine, which is excellent for mirror or high gloss pieces as well as matte finished jewelery.
If you do use a polishing cloth and the matte finish comes off, promptly contact the jeweler or maker and arrange a return, or bring it in to show them the results of using x cloth or polish.Dremel tools come with a small rouge container and felt bobs with which to apply the polish.I would not go that far in any case as a good product will remove the oxidation without the matting.Again, matte finishes should be into the metal and not on the surface.the rouge , even if applied properly will remove the black oxidization and not affect the piece if the metal is matted, but with that tool or any rotary tool rotation is the key to effectiveness.Pressure or an excess thereof could destroy the finish rendering it a highly polished piece- not what you wanted so avoiding that extreme can be accomplished with a cloth. Ultrasonic cleaners are widely available too and should be effective at removing the black oxidation from your piece, but the cost is not worth the expense if you have only one.If you make jewelry investing in a good ultrasonic is recommended, but for someone that casually buys the odd piece of jewelry it is not essential.
I hope this has answered your question.If not feel free to contact me again.
Best regards Ari
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