Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Bronwen, post: 9613663, member: 5833&quot;]Opinions/preferences on this vary, so hopefully some of our other collectors ([USER=17332]@PepperAnna[/USER] [USER=79705]@mirana[/USER] ) will share their practices too.</p><p><br /></p><p>Seems as though very few cameos I buy are display-ready when I first get them.&nbsp; Nearly all need a wash &amp; brush up.&nbsp; Shell &amp; hardstone go in for a bubble bath, so shell pieces get hydrated that way.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>It has not been my practice to soak the shell pieces again after that.&nbsp; It would be an ongoing rolling project to do it, but certainly wouldn&#039;t hurt them, at least I think not.&nbsp; There is a question in my mind as to whether pieces that have already developed stress fractures would be better or worse off, whether pressure from the bezel would be increased by the shell swelling slightly?</p><p><br /></p><p>Coral may be dyed.&nbsp; Very deep red pieces are particularly suspect.&nbsp; Coral doesn&#039;t seem to get dirty or crack in the way shell does, perhaps because of its enamel-like finish &amp; basic structure.&nbsp; I can&#039;t recall ever seeing a discussion of soaking coral pros &amp; cons.&nbsp; Think con, in the name of caution.</p><p><br /></p><p>Lava is very often dyed.&nbsp; Just getting a drop of water on a piece can leave a mark.&nbsp; It&#039;s porous, so will take water up.&nbsp; I have one little lava piece that does benefit from some time in water.&nbsp; The variegated color says it&#039;s not dyed.&nbsp; It has fractured; after a soak it does not rattle in its frame:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]468762[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>I have soaked ivory, not leaving too long, without a problem.&nbsp; Once checked on a piece only to find it was turning translucent.&nbsp; Was scared that I had damaged it, but when it dried out it returned to its original appearance.</p><p><br /></p><p>For me, soaking is contradicted if the design of the mount is such that water is going to get in but have a very hard time getting out again.&nbsp; I have never had a problem with the metal of a setting itself getting wet, including silver and brass, as long as it can get dry again.</p><p><br /></p><p>Oiling.&nbsp; Some people swear by it, with mineral oil being the preferred substance, applied after soaking.&nbsp; It can lessen the appearance of Byne&#039;s scars &amp; does brighten up dull shell.&nbsp; However, as someone who lives in a place where &#039;dust&#039; is black, I just see oiling as creating a grime magnet &amp; of course you would not want to oil a piece you actually wear.&nbsp; Those who oil usually express the intention to wash &amp; re-oil at least once a year, but have to wonder how often this plan is carried out.</p><p><br /></p><p>That&#039;s my take.&nbsp; Will be interested to hear how others manage their menageries.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in