I was pleased to find this forum and would like some advice about an angst-filled situation I have going on! I purchased this squash blossom necklace - my first ever, and I’ve been wanting one since about 1980 - from an online auction company. When it arrived, it was WET inside the plastic bag containing the necklace. I discovered the necklace had been treated with silver polish — AAAAARGH — and in transit, it had apparently continued to ooze out of the hollow beads and potentially, the bezels, I suppose. I was horrified. Of course, the original patina is out the window, but that’s not my main concern. I have been told if the stones have not changed color since I received the necklace (last week) that the stones are probably ok, and they have not changed color. I hung the necklace over a fan overnight to dry it out. Two of the stones in the naja are now slightly loose and my local jeweler now has the necklace to tighten those stones and check the others. I know a bit about jewelry and have been learning a little about turquoise; I’m fascinated with it and have been since I first traveled to Santa Fe many years ago, but I’ve just now started doing a little research about the different mines and I’m hooked. I know chemicals can damage turquoise as it is porous. I was wondering if anyone can advise as to whether there could be long-term effects on the turquoise that might not be apparent right now, or if the stones are likely ok, having survived their horrific experience. Also, I’d love any guesses as to what type turquoise this might be. Although the stones look greenish in the first picture, they are actually more of a blue color. I absolutely love this necklace and am hoping it’s going to be just fine. Thank you in advance for any advice or opinions.
Continue the drying process. Perry Null Trading, the company that provides this forum, has excellent repair resources. They are also priced reasonably and have a pretty quick turnaround. Ask @Jason for the address.
Refer to the experts, of course. However, I would say that if they haven’t turned, then they’re probably okay. turquoise will turn darker over time due to exposure to oils… So eventually, they may get darker due to this experience. At least this is what I have found in my experience. If it was me, I would take a very soft toothbrush with very mild soap and clean the remaining grease and polish off… Carefully! If you get inside the bezels wet, the sawdust or other packing material that is behind the turquoise will swell and puff out. And it may already be saturated. Gauge this carefully.
I would only use soap if you suspect that there are still cleaning agents and grease on the necklace. Otherwise, I would just let it dry as the previous poster suggested, and only use a dry toothbrush to clean it.
How beautiful it is. Hope it is okay. I haven’t found that squash that calls to me yet!
My guess is that your stones are stabilized like those in my photo. These are from the 60s and 70s, JB weld backed-or Devcon backed. In either case as long as there was no solvents involved in the cleaning they should be fine. One way to test to see if it is stabilized is to wet your lip and touch it to the stone. If it sticks a little it is natural. If it doesn’t it’s not porous and is stabilized. Here is another trick that may save you collectors some money. Stones can be tightened with a metal kitchen spoon. A smooth stainless steel one is best. Hold the spoon in your strong hand and put your thumb in the bowl (inside the spoon) now apply steady pressure to the bezel (the metal strip that is holding the stone) Go around the stone until it doesn’t rattle anymore. it may take several tries. Be careful not to mar the piece with the edge of the spoon. Your jeweler will do basically the same thing but with a bezel pusher. I have fixed many rings this way while at a party or friends house…including diamonds! Kyle
This is VERY helpful. If the necklace was not already with the jeweler, and I hadn’t already paid for the repair, I would definitely attempt it myself. They are charging me very little, though, so I’m glad I haven’t paid an exorbitant price for something I could have done myself. I’m certainly good with any type of repair work I can attempt. In fact, I understand there is a product that can be used to touch up the oxidation around the braid work – the cleaner removed much of the black background - is this something I should attempt or is that best left to a professional? It looks like a matter of simply brushing it on and polishing the high spots and I’m definitely good with trying that if I can’t ruin anything! Can’t wait to try the lip trick, that’s fascinating. Would you venture any guesses as to what type of turquoise is in the necklace?
Thank you for the good advice, I appreciate it. Fortunately, when this squash called to me, it called to me at what I consider an extremely low price, so I felt good about making the jump!
Thank you! Should the necklace need further restoration I definitely want to send it out of state - I’m sure jewelers in Tennessee don’t see many squashes!
The product you are talking about is liver of sulfur. It will turn silver instantly black but for a lasting finish leave it overnight. It can be bought online for craft use. If you can buy the hard liver of sulfur crystals. This will save you money in the long run. you only make up what you need. The liquids you buy have a shelf life of about a year unless you pay more for the shelf stable preparations. Anyway blacken it then buff off the highlights. Makes a great patina. I used it on the bracelet in my post in the Identifying section. I don’t think the purists would like someone touching up patina but if it’s messed up already and you need to restore it, Go ahead. It is the same process that the sulfides in the air do to darken it with age only quicker. Funny side note you can do it with boiled eggs too. But I have had weak results with that. Hope this helps, Kyle
I can attest to eggs working on silver to darken it…they turn my silver forks dark, and it stays that way even through being washed daily. I end up cleaning those pieces we use with eggs more frequently with silver polish.
I bet, thats why TARNEX is still selling !!
My Family lives in Harriman, TN. near Rockwood What’s home for you?
Jackson! Between Nashville and Memphis, so other end of state. East Tennessee is really beautiful, so different from here in the West. West is beautiful too, I just love the mountains in the East.