Cleaning Metal

Cleaning metal can mean different things.  Some want to remove Tarnish, which is the result of the top layer of metal being degraded by sulpher, in the environment, in a process called Oxidation. Other circumstances where very clean, grease free metal is important are:  enameling, soldering and etching, among others.  Knowing how to achieve this level of cleanliness, for the jeweler,  is a valuable bit of knowledge that will save some time and frustration. And, of course, all jewelers want to send their masterpieces off to their new homes, sparkling clean.

Rule one: Go wash your hands, thoroughly!  Get all grease, oils and dirt off of your hands.  Now, don’t touch your face until you are done.  That beautiful face of yours has many oil glands in it (remember all that acne?). 

Now, to work. Copper, Brass, Silver and Gold can all be cleaned in a similar fashion. Most jewelers have their own particular favorite way to clean jewelry, these are some of mine and some others I have encountered over the years.

These are de-greasing methods which strip the metal of all surface contaminants.

Warning: If your piece has a mirror finish, glue or any type of gemstones or wood: do not use the following 2 methods. Be sure that all materials are able to handle water and/or temperatures of 1000+ degrees. I’m not responsible for your mistakes!

Method 1:  I use this one a lot.  Make a paste  from either pumice powder, Bon Ami (available at grocery stores) or any non-chlorinated cleanser and water.  With your finger and in a circular motion, rub the paste over the metal.  Rinse well.  The water should “sheet” off.  If it balls up the metal still has grease on it. Sometimes I use the cleanser with a Scotch Brite Pad which I call that ” green scrubie thing”.  Dry with a soft cloth. Let’s cut out using those paper towels, if possible.

Method 2: Heat the metal to 1000 degrees – either in a kiln or with a torch, quench and then pickle the metal. Brass brush to remove residue from copper and brass or to burnish silver. Dry. (Note: if you solder or bring the metal up to annealing temperature – that works too.)

Once the metal is clean, don’t touch the surface until after soldering/gluing/enameling/etching. Hold by the sides.

To Clean finished pieces with high polish – don’t use the above methods as these techniques may alter that finish.  The traditional method for cleaning is with an Ultrasonic Cleaner.  If you don’t have one, try this:  scrub metal with very hot water, grease cutting soap and a soft tooth brush (I use Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Peppermint Liquid Soap, straight from the bottle).  If cleaning over a sink, be sure to cover with a bit of screening as loose stones my fall out. Always be aware of the limitations of any stones in your jewelry.  Some of them cannot tolerate the Ultrasonic and/or the (ammonia based) cleaners used in the soaps. Dry.

Stones and/or materials that may be damaged by harsh chemicals: anything glued in, amber, peridot, opal, wood, malachite, turqoise, pearls,  ivory, marcasite and more. This is NOT a complete list.

It is recommended that strung pearls be cleaned only in distilled water as chemicals can potentially damage the cord that they are strung on.

Why we don’t clean wood jewelry with water should be pretty clear – wood absorbs water, expands and usually warps and swells.  Don’t do it.  Use products designed for wood care. Dust, oil and keep your wooden jewelry out of sunlight.

More to come on sealing and finishing.  Need to clean the studio, put on makeup (ugh) and get ready to film a video on…..drum roll…cleaning metal!  See you soon. N

Note:  Check out my web page:  Removing Copper Flashing for instructions on how to experience the ultimate of cleaning jobs!