I found a layered asymmetric pearl/chain necklace at a very cute vintage shop near my job (I plan to wear it with a black sheath dress to an interview this week).
Its perfectly what I am looking for except that whatever it is made of looks like its rusting. I asked the sales clerk if there was something I could do to get rid of the rust and she insisted thats the color (I think she needs glasses).
I kept shopping around but this really is the shape and look I am going after, plus it was like $22. Does anyone know any ways to gently clean rust off of jewelry?
I am looking up on the internet and not really finding anything that isnt saying "maybe try this, maybe try that" or to soak or boil in a very harsh substance (I dont think the pearls will be able to take it).
Have you ever tried Bar Keepers Friend? I don't know how it works on jewelry but it's kind of a miracle product for cleaning pretty much anything off of metallic surfaces, including rust. It's around $5 and you can get it pretty much anywhere. I used to buy it at Williams-Sonoma but I looked on their website and it's not there anymore. Check out Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things, etc. I'm certain one of those places would have it.
If you do a search on the product, you'll find tons of blogs that review it and call it a miracle product, which is how I first heard about it (on shelteriffic a few years ago).
You might also try toothpaste. I'm not sure if it will get rust off but my mom swears by it to clean jewelry.
I went to W&S and bought the Barkeepers friend! For $3 I figured I would take a shot. Also bought the necklace, will work on it tonight and let you guys know how it turns out.
1. Line a small bowl or tray with foil. 2. Lay jewelry to be cleaned. 3. Sprinkle jewelry with baking soda. 4. Pour boiling water, enough to cover jewelry for 10 min.
Just making a paste out of baking soday & water of any temp will work for almost anything. I rub it on with a soft cloth and then wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth.
Vinegar is my go to product. It's cheap and has a million uses. I found a couple metal cleaning "recipes"
To clean tarnished brass, copper, and pewter, use a paste with equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and table salt.
Make a metal cleanser by adding enough white distilled vinegar to 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to make a paste. Rub it on and let it dry on the surface. Wash it off and dry with a soft cloth.
Polish brass and copper with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar. Rub it on with a clean cloth until dry and shiny.
It worked! Took off some of the color (or maybe the gold had faded) but it definately looks better! Thank you, you are all so helpful when a girl is in a pinch!