How can I clean a silver fetish necklace without taking the color from

Bannsidhe
by Bannsidhe

I bought the necklace years ago from Daniel Ortega in AZ so I know it's good quality. The fetishes are small mother-of-pearl birds that are artificially colored. The silver is terribly tarnished, and I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if I end up with white birds, but I'd rather preserve the pastel colors.

  8 answers
  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 06, 2018

    Here's a recipe for a jewelry cleaning solution: 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1 cup of water, and 1 piece of foil. Heat the water in your microwave for 1 or 2 minutes. Then add first 3 ingredients into the water and stir to dissolve. Place the foil in the bottom of the bowl next. Add your jewelry to the bowl and let it set 5 or 10 minutes. Then rinse jewelry in cool clean water. Dry with soft cloth. Discard remaining solution.

  • Beth W Beth W on Jul 06, 2018

    Tricky but if you are careful you could use a small paint brush with silver polish. I would first see if you can ā€œpaintā€ a protective layer of Elmerā€™s Glue over a fetish. Allow to dry completely. See if you can clean a bead next to this glue encased bird (use silver cleaner really sparingly) without melting the glue or discoloring the fetishes. Use a barely damp paper towel to rub off tarnish and neutralize the silver cleaner. Peel the glue off carefully when done cleaning.

  • Ginny Ginny on Jul 06, 2018

    I would take the necklace to a jeweler for advice.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jul 06, 2018

    Hi! I wouldn't soak it since I think you would damage the design. Having it professionally cleaned might be your best bed, but, if that isn't an option, I would try a silver polishing cloth like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Polishing-Cleaning-Platinum-Jewelry-Tarnish/dp/B01LIJED4U/ref=sr_1_19_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1530933990&sr=8-19-spons&keywords=silver+polish+cloth+for+jewelry&psc=1

  • William William on Jul 06, 2018

    I sell a lot of silver on Ebay. Jewelry, silverware, serving sets. Silver polish like Wrights and dips like TarnX tend to remove some of the metal. The foil method doesn't work that great and still leaves a grey film that still needs to be removed. I use white toothpaste (not gel) and a damp toothbrush. For large items I use a damp cloth. Also works on copper, brass, gold, porcelain, ceramics, sneakers, plastics, etc. For my sales I needed one product for cleaning everything.

  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 07, 2018

    Sounds like a pretty Zuni piece.

    • Bannsidhe Bannsidhe on Jul 08, 2018

      It is. It was not incredibly expensive (for the time) but I've had it a long time & really like wearing it.

  • Bannsidhe Bannsidhe on Jul 08, 2018

    Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try them in increasing order of possible damage. Except soaking. I just can't bring myself to soak it in anything - even plain water - since I don't know what was used for color. It's probably not water-soluble and I'm making a big deal over not much.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on May 01, 2021

    Hi,

    Wash it in washing up liquid and water using a tooth brush, and dry with a soft cloth. Otherwise use a silver wadding or cloth.