Jewelry

[qualitygal]

Saw a show with copper and all I could think of was, how do you clean it and does it tarnish. Seems like it would.

[jlkz]

Just received from Sharper Image a steam cleaner type of jewelry cleaning device.  Plan on using it this week.  Will post back on how clean and easy to use.  I had used the ultrasonic type but was not impressed with it over hand brushing.

[Campion]

Copper requires polish--but copper jewelry is probably coated to prevent tarnishing.

As to jewelry, I bought a small ultrasonic cleaner and it's the best thing ever.  They are under thirty bucks, and they make stones shine. I even do my eyeglasses in it from time to time.  Works far better than cleaning solution. The only stones you can't put in there are soft, fractured stones such as moonstones, peridot, opals, pearls, tanzanite, emeralds and yes, copper plate. The softer stones have internal flaws that can be broken by ultrasound. 

[missy kat]

I use a solution of baby shampoo and water. Works great.  I starting using this after reading Elizabeth Taylor cleaned her "baubles" this way.

[millieshops]

I own only one piece of copper jewelry - have had it for 40+ years and clean it only with a soft jewelry cloth.  Not sure if that's what I should be doing, but since it's worked for me this long, that's how it's going to be going forward.  Tarnish has not been a problem.

[esmeraldagooch]

These cloths will not scratch your jewelry or remove plating.

[Nightowlz]

I have one of those small at home ultrasonic jewelry cleaners. I bought it years ago when I worked at Zales. I mix water, a small amount of ammonia & 1 drop dawn dish soap in it. That's the same mixture Zales puts in their ultrasonic cleaner. When I worked at Zales after cleaning a diamond ring they would dip it in alcohol to make it shine. As far as cleaning copper jewelry you can try lemon & salt but don't use it on copper if it has stones in it.

[Kachina624]

Modern copper jewelry usually has a lacquer coating on it to resist tarnishing.   The use of anything abrasive will remove the coating and the piece will have a spotty tarnish effect.