Taking a poll to answer a sometimes difficult question - To Clean or Not to Clean?
When buying, do you prefer old pieces have patina or do you prefer clean? As sellers, is it your experience tarnish sells or clean sells?
I clean a piece if the tarnish is not attractive or I feel the clientele wants a clean piece, taking care to not remove the accent color. It is sad to see old pieces completely stripped. Sometimes I’ll include before and after picture in a listing to help show the age of a piece including caption so it’s not confusing for the customer. Do you think cleaning brings a better price or do you think it takes value away? It’s something I ask myself many times.
As a buyer, it depends on the age and design of the piece. To me, there is a difference between good, dark gray patina on a vintage piece and simple, brown tarnish on a newer piece. Typically, I don’t polish. Just handling and wearing jewelry will polish and highlight it, allowing it to settle into its natural color.
I’m a total non-polisher for my personal jewelry. I wear my pieces often and for 90% of it, that’s all that’s needed.
Working in a charity thrift shop, most folks like things polished. I tell them I’ll polish it after they buy it, and most of them are fine with that. Some folks know and appreciate patina; I wish more did. Opinion is split among my co-volunteers: several are avid for the shine and one polishes contemporary pieces but not older ones. Fun poll!
I’m a strict non polisher both selling and buying Native American jewelry. With other sterling jewelry I may run a quick buffing cloth on it if it looks dirty.
I agree with lisianthus. Leave the Native pieces alone, but newer pieces may be okay to use a polishing cloth. Chemical dip type cleaners are a big no-no with me because it strips all the nice patination off.
I’m looking older, and I feel my jewelry should too. In fact, I feel bright and shiny things look odd on me anymore. I think my favorite look at this time is nice patina-ed silver and dark red coral. Accordingly, I never clean anything.
For the most part I’m right with you. Don’t want my jewelry more silver than my hair. However, with the humidity around here, I find that silver can develop a very unattractive black look. Chemical cleaners are a big no-no with me but I will use a jewelry polishing cloth occasionally.
I have a polishing question…I was using a polishing cloth and chatting with a friend…I got a phone call and left for just a few minutes and when I came back she had dipped a contemporary NA Storyteller Cuff in silver cleaner. I wouldn’t say anything because she’s going through a rough time right now with her mom and Alzheimer’s but it removed the darker oxidation in some places…where would I send it to get that fixed?
@debroset That dark stuff is is applied with a chemical called liver of sulphur. The brand I have back home is called “SilverBlack.” If you’re feeling adventurous, you could probably do it yourself! But I’m sure Perry Null can take care of you
OMG. The bracelets are the exact ones I purchased a dozen of at Thunderbird Supply, Gallup NM in the mid 1980’s. I still have both. The top one broke a couple years ago. The bottom one broke a week ago. I had worn both since they were purchased. Started out wearing 2 of each on my right wrist. The went down to two. Soon, I will be able to solder silver again and want to repair them.
To your question. To me it depends on the piece. When making silver/Turquoise jewelry, I “pickled” some pieces to give a patina. Others I left shiny. A lot depends on the potential customers when selling and personal preference when wearing.
My usual polish routine is basic toothpaste and a wet microfiber cloth. Then dry with another cotton flannel cloth.
I love patina myself, but know that some others do not.