Featured Advice On Cleaning Czech Brooch (not the Neiger style one)

Hi all,
This piece has lots of gunk around the stones - they are open backed so would it be okay to set this in a bowl of liquid to soften the gunk? Printed made in Czechoslovakia on the pin.
any information appreciated
thanks for looking

 

I think it would be okay. They are not foiled (correct?), so no danger of damaging that. Nice piece; please post 'after' pics!

 

Thank-you wenna No, not foiled. will post when it is done!

 

I agree with WENNA (got it right this time, right?). I would feel comfortable putting it to soak in ordinary tap water (as long as you're not in Flint, MI) with a dab of dish washing liquid. Just make sure to give it plenty of time to get thoroughly dry before putting it away inside of any kind of container. My jewellery cleaning kit includes a child's toothbrush & baking soda toothpaste.

 

If not foiled, go to town. If foiled take a soft toothbrush, dip in rubbing alcohol, shake off the extra and clean the tops of the rhinestones. Then use a hairdryer on the cool setting to dry the piece.

 

Or if you're in the Southwest, just stick it outside on a windowsill/deck to bake dry.

 

Ultrasonic cleaner, or a bit of vodka soak, or Windex and a tootbrush.

 

Is the vodka for a break between the cleaning??

 

No reason you can't drink it after.

 

Sweet little piece - not much for costume, other than dragonflies of course, but do really like most Bohemian/Czech pieces. Years ago, worked with another dealer who collected Czech jewelry, and I really gained an appreciation for it...

~Cheryl