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How do I clean vintage jewelry with seed pearls and diamonds?

whitewave

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Feb 29, 2012
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I just bought a vintage brooch with supposedly OEC diamonds and seed pearls. From the pics, the diamonds look filthy. Anyway, I took a chance on this circle brooch, as the price doesn’t seem to match the description but is an amount I can afford to lose. If anything, I thought it might look pretty in the hair with an updo.

So how do I clean the diamonds without damaging the pearls or their attachment? Thanks. I’m not a pearl person so no idea...
 
I would suggest a soft tooth brush and some dish soap for the diamonds, certainly no jewelry cleaners as pearls are so soft. This way you can use the brush to get the grime off. Maybe keep a bowl of hot water handy so you can dip the toothbrush in it as you go.
 
StephanieLynn said:
I would suggest a soft tooth brush and some dish soap for the diamonds, certainly no jewelry cleaners as pearls are so soft. This way you can use the brush to get the grime off. Maybe keep a bowl of hot water handy so you can dip the toothbrush in it as you go.
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Ok, yeah, that is kinda what I figured. Thanks. It’s going to be a nightmare cleaning the diamonds.
 
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I’m not sure about dish soap with pearls. I have heard people recommend Dr. Bronner’s fragrance free castile soap (the baby version).
 
cmd2014 said:
I’m not sure about dish soap with pearls. I have heard people recommend Dr. Bronner’s fragrance free castile soap (the baby version).
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Thanks. I do remember reading about Castile soap around here somewhere
 
There's really no way to clean the diamonds without getting the pearls wet.
I would use soapy water and a small paint brush to get up under the diamonds.
You cant avoid the pearls, and they're gonna get wet. The soap and water probably won't affect the glue.
But if any of them become loose or fall off, just carefully re-glue them with epoxy or super glue.
Good luck!
 
stracci2000 said:
There's really no way to clean the diamonds without getting the pearls wet.
I would use soapy water and a small paint brush to get up under the diamonds.
You cant avoid the pearls, and they're gonna get wet. The soap and water probably won't affect the glue.
But if any of them become loose or fall off, just carefully re-glue them with epoxy or super glue.
Good luck!
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Ok, thanks
 
Do not use a toothbrush! Just use a little sable watercolor brush. I have a similar pin.. I just use pearl cleaner since I'm such a klutz.
 
OcnGypZ said:
Do not use a toothbrush! Just use a little sable watercolor brush. I have a similar pin.. I just use pearl cleaner since I'm such a klutz.
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Good idea, thanks.
 
@OcnGypZ, not trying to be argumentative but why do you advise against a soft toothbrush just for the diamonds? If they are as dirty as she says I can't see a soft paintbrush getting them clean. Just genuinely curious, not trying to start a debate.
 
The Lavish cleaner from HPD, LAD, etc. is supposedly gentle enough to use on pearls as well as cleans diamonds great. I’d start with that before anything else to minimize risk of damage to the pearls, and only use a brush (if possible) on the diamonds.
 
the_mother_thing said:
The Lavish cleaner from HPD, LAD, etc. is supposedly gentle enough to use on pearls as well as cleans diamonds great. I’d start with that before anything else to minimize risk of damage to the pearls, and only use a brush (if possible) on the diamonds.
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Oh can you use Lavish on pearls??? :appl:
 
StephanieLynn said:
@OcnGypZ, not trying to be argumentative but why do you advise against a soft toothbrush just for the diamonds? If they are as dirty as she says I can't see a soft paintbrush getting them clean. Just genuinely curious, not trying to start a debate.
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This is a VERY small pin.. and one wrong move with a toothbrush can destroy the nacre of a seed pearl.
 
33B7E032-B4B4-4DA9-8B1A-10BBEFFFC371.jpeg @whitewave I am giggling at this problem for you.... the lady that uses the ultrasonic 12 times a day on her diamonds! :lol: This is going to be an extreme test of your willpower.

I love that brooch! I picked up a $3 Krementz goldfill brooch at a flea market last month. I need a fancier lifestyle, because I want to buy more brooches!
 
KristinTech said:
33B7E032-B4B4-4DA9-8B1A-10BBEFFFC371.jpeg @whitewave I am giggling at this problem for you.... the lady that uses the ultrasonic 12 times a day on her diamonds! :lol: This is going to be an extreme test of your willpower.

I love that brooch! I picked up a $3 Krementz goldfill brooch at a flea market last month. I need a fancier lifestyle, because I want to buy more brooches!
Click to expand...

Seriously lol

I love brooches! I think this one will be a nice one for a dress blouse collar since it’s so small.

I LOVE that new brooch of yours!
 
That's lovely @whitewave :kiss2: You'll have to take some hair pics for us!!

Unless you're attached to those specific pearls... I (personally) wouldn't worry too much. I'd (personally) just grab that baby toothbrush and scrub scrub scrub away until the diamonds are spotless... and then replace any seed pearls that might need replacing.

Perhaps I'm too irreverant though! :mrgreen2:
 
yssie said:
That's lovely @whitewave :kiss2: You'll have to take some hair pics for us!!

Unless you're attached to those specific pearls... I (personally) wouldn't worry too much. I'd (personally) just grab that baby toothbrush and scrub scrub scrub away until the diamonds are spotless... and then replace any seed pearls that might need replacing.

Perhaps I'm too irreverant though! :mrgreen2:
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I thought the same lol. Thanks.
 
Oh my my my. I am in love :love::love: with this pretty little brooch. The diamonds are oec with such sweet high crowns :love:. I’d say the diamonds are k color.

C39B76E3-3B17-416F-9182-1A61E9DBAF2D.jpeg

I’ll add some crown pics and a perspective shot later on.

This is one of my better eBay purchases :appl:
 
Gorgeous, @whitewave! I've been waiting for this to arrive!

Can you tell us how wide it is from side to side?
 
How pretty! Love those high crowns. :kiss2:
 
JPie said:
How pretty! Love those high crowns. :kiss2:
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Thanks, it’s hard to get pics today because I was rushing. I’m 10 days post surgery and in physical therapy 3x a week and just got slammed last night and this morning.

I also didn’t have anyone help me hold the camera while another holds the pin and the loupe lol
 
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whitewave said:
Thanks, it’s hard to get pics today because I was rushing. I’m 10 days post surgery and in physical therapy 3x a week and just got slammed last night and this morning.

I also didn’t have anyone help me hold the camera while another holds the pin and the loupe lol
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Diamonds help with post-surgery recovery. True story, believe me. :lol:

Seriously though, hope you’re feeling better!
 
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