How to Clean & Care for Your Brass Jewelry for a Lifetime | United Kingdom
Have you ever asked yourself, "What is brass?" That is quite understandable. Brass doesn't seem to take center stage in jewelry because it is not as ...
Have you ever asked yourself, "What is brass?" That is quite understandable. Brass doesn't seem to take center stage in jewelry because it is not as lustrous as gold and not as familiar as sterling silver jewelry. However, brass jewelry pieces have a league of their own, too. If you are pleased with brass accessories and are wondering what to do to bring back the shine and luster of your favorite unique piece, here's a guide to help you! Here are tips on cleaning and caring for your brass jewelry so you can make them last a lifetime!
What is Brass jewelry?
First and foremost, what is Brass, and what makes it so unique above the rest? Brass is jewelry mainly composed of metals like copper and zinc. Other metal alloys are often combined with Brass, which can be lead or tin. Brass, in itself, has a beautiful gold-like appearance with a vintage touch to it. Although not very common, Brass is also used in jewelry making. The biggest concern brass jewelry owners face is how to keep it looking lustrous and shiny, as Brass tends to get tainted and tarnished over time.
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Bring back the sparkle of this favorite bling by following some of the effective methods listed below.
Important things to remember:
Before cleaning and caring for your brass pieces, you must know how to do it properly. If you are not informed on how to do these things properly, you could do more harm than good to your favorite brass accessories. Here are some essential things you need to remember as you care for and clean your brass earrings, necklaces, rings, and bangles.
♥ The way to clean Brass is a league of its own. What do we mean by this? We suggest how clean brass jewelry pieces should be applied on Brass alone. Some of these methods may harm gemstones, crystals, and the like. Your jewelry might have these components, so take preventive measures before cleaning them.
♥ If ever you do the cleaning, wiping, and polishing for these unique pieces, make sure you work towards the direction of their grains and not do it in circles.
♥ Brass is considered a notorious metal for retaining water spots, and these water spots can be a big culprit in diminishing the quality of your piece. So after cleaning with water, wipe the water away as soon as possible.
♥ As you continue collecting brass pieces, you will discover that this metal in jewelry has become more and more beautiful through the years. The coloring that makes the aged Brass look so appealing is called the patina, and this patina covering is a beautiful but very delicate coat. The cleaning applications you may use for your new pieces may not be suitable for aged Brass, and this may make them lose their "antique finish." The best kind of cleaning tips for this Brass is to make sure that you clean them in soapy water, rub them gently with a q-tip, and polish them with olive oil.
♥ Ensure that the materials you're going to use for cleaning these kinds of jewelry are stuff you're not going to use anymore. We don't know what toxins you might get from your favorite rings.
We can't just deny it. Like every other jewelry piece out there, continuous use can make jewelry accumulate soot that can take away its original beauty. This soot can be oils, dirt, and pollutants we carry today. If you have these things in your most beloved blings, how do you get rid of them? These simple steps can help you bring back the old shine to your jewelry. Sometimes, these are the only steps to make your ancient-looking pieces look new and attractive again!
♥ First, place the Brass in a bowl of warm water diluted with gentle dishwashing soap. Let the brass pieces soak there for about ten minutes, or just enough time to soften the accumulated dirt on the metal's surfaces.
♥ Use soft materials to follow through the cleaning process. You can use a gentle toothbrush (preferably for babies), a q-tip, or even your fingers. Work gently through the areas that need de-griming.
♥ To avoid another build-up episode, wash the soap off your metals thoroughly. How do you know when it's completely cleaned? Run through water on it, and if the water runs smoothly without building up, you can be sure that your jewelry is clean.
Polishing Brass Jewelry
After you are done with the cleaning process, it's time to shine those trinkets up. Here are several households(yes, household!) materials you can use to bring back the glimmer to your brass metals. They're easy, convenient, and very effective!
♥ Clean your jewelry with ketchup or Worcestershire sauce! Did you know that two of your favorite culinary condiments can restore the beauty and shine of a brass metal? The process is quite simple. First, you have to smear some of the ketchup or Worcestershire sauce onto the metal's affected area and let it stay for a few minutes. Afterward, clean the area thoroughly using water, a soft cloth, or a soft toothbrush. Review your piece if it still needs further cleaning. If you are satisfied with the results, clean it with water once more and use a soft cloth to wipe all water and remaining residue from your jewelry.
♥ Aside from ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, you can also use the good old lemon and water technique in cleaning your brass pieces. There are two options for this: soaking and rubbing. It would be best to have a cup of water, half a lemon juice, and a bit of salt in the soaking process. Pour warm water onto the container, and add the juice of the lemon and the salt. Soak in the jewelry and let it sit there for some time. You don't leave it unattended; you need to observe when it's already clean to your heart's desire. After that, rinse it with water and dry it on a soft cloth.
You can also use the rubbing process. Take note that salt is added to this process. Salt can be quite abrasive to some gentler brass pieces, but it's generally safe for most. Get a slice of lemon, put salt on one side, and rub it onto the affected area in the direction that follows the Brass's natural grains. You can use a soft toothbrush for crevices that are difficult to reach. Wash thoroughly with water once you are already satisfied with how your jewelry looks. Dry thoroughly using a gentle cloth.
♥ The traditional way of cleaning jewelry, what we know as the vinegar process, is still applicable to brass jewelry. You can combine a cup of vinegar with a tablespoon of salt. Stir the mixture. Heat the mixture using a kettle or a microwave oven. Make sure the mixture is warm but not too hot. Stir once more. After that, let your brass jewelry sit there until they look clean. When the desired look is reached, rinse the jewelry and dry it on a clean, soft cloth. This will bring back the sparkle of your old brass babies.
♥ Lastly, you can also trust ammonia to clean your jewelry pieces thoroughly. As a precaution, don't forget to use gloves and protection for your eyes as you do this process. Mix eight parts water and one part ammonia for your solution. Let your brass pieces sit on this solution for a while. Stir the key so it can help clean the jewelry thoroughly. Once the desired look is achieved, rinse thoroughly with water, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, and let it dry.
Longer-lasting luster is the ultimate goal, and there's a simple way to achieve this- Rub your brass trinkets thoroughly, and you can polish them with either olive oil or renaissance wax. These two substances can help lock in the jewelry's shine and make your bling sparkle longer. Brass jewelry may not be a popular item, but it can also flaunt its beauty. With these cleaning tips and ways to care for brass jewelry pieces, you'll surely enjoy these baubles for a long.
Don't forget to be consistent with your maintenance of these precious accessories. If you're still looking for beautiful brass pieces, check out our collection at IceCarats.com.
