Locket Cleaning: Deux

My last post included a picture of a before and after with a brief description of how I clean. I just received a locket and took pictures of my cleaning "updates" and I thought I'd share the process more thoroughly!

The locket.

This is the locket how I received it, a bit dirty. Actually, a lot dirty. I also notice that yellow gold fill lockets if not cleaned in awhile have an orange-y dinge look. Some call that patina, I call that dinge in this case. Though don't get me wrong, I love patina when it's aged just right. Aged wine - delicious. Aged pepsi - speaks for itself. Patina on a locket can either be aged wine or pepsi... just depends on the product. Notice the staining below the motif on the locket - also a little by the loop and bail. Around her hair and throughout the leaves in the locket is dirty as well.

First wash.

I take a toothbrush and put a little hand soap or dish soap on it. I like to do it in a small sink so I can close the drain when scrubbing (just in case if any stones were loose before I washed and they fall out - an easy fix if they do). Sometimes I can be a violent scrubber but as long as I close the drain, and hold/push the locket tight. That way when I scrub the hinge won't wiggle. I find it works best when I wash the locket first because it gets rid of the dirt. That way when I polish I'm polishing the locket, not the dirt and the locket. Also it's good because it leaves some of the patina on the locket - and then you can determine whether you want to leave it or not as is. Though since this has the darker spots below and above the locket, I had to polish.

Polish & wash.

Now the locket is gleaming! In all the photographs I have a white sheet of paper in front of it so everything can be closely examined. After the polish and clean it really brightens. I like to use my rouge cloth, Fabulustre. It works really great. I was able to get in corners with my fingers and get out the darker areas. Notice the bottom of the locket - lightened a ton. After I polish I immediately do step two again, wash it with some soap and a toothbrush. I find it works better than using the other side of the rouge cloth (which is intended to get all of the rouge out leaving a sparkly clean finish). But I'd rather skip that step and just wash the rouge off. Sometimes I go in again and polish after it dries - especially around the corners. I like to take a toothpick and put it under the polishing cloth so I can get in the crevices. But I'm quite happy with how it turned out so I'll leave as is.

Voila!

Locket Cleaning

Cleaning - Before & After

I love to clean lockets. I know original patina is wonderful to keep, but I just love to polish.

Here's one of my lockets with a before and after picture. I like to use Fabulustre as it has the rouge on one side and it lasts forever!

I like to first wash it with some regular soap and scrub lightly with a toothbrush. Wait for it to dry, then polish. Then I wash it again to make sure all the rouge is off as it leaves that red tint. Sometimes I repeat the process if it's a tough one. 

The Roaring Lion

My newest purchase, this lovely Victorian roaring lion locket. Missing the jewel in its mouth - but taking it to the jewelers asap before I'm tempted to break out the super glue.

I planned to sell this one - but it's really neat and now I'm just not sure...

Antique chains with a new twist!

I love some of my antique chains that I like to pair with my lockets - but some of them are a little short and are a little "heavy" when worn. Shawna, who is the owner of my favorite etsy shop Heaven Awaits, rejuvenated two of my older chains.

The first one I had done is an Antique Victorian Mesh chain or book chain that was a little short but I loved the width of it. I sent it to her and she made it sparkle! She kept the clasp at the end so I can put whatever locket I'd like on it.

After that first project I was hooked! This time however I wanted a chain dedicated to just one locket I have that's a little plain that needed some extra sparkle.

She is such a talented artist. And the best part - she loves lockets just as much as I do, if not more! HeavenAwaits.etsy.com

Walk Like an Egyptian

This is my beautiful new Egyptian inspired locket. I've had one Egyptian related locket before but alas it was too small to want to wear. I traded this one with my locket buddy Shawna who has the beautiful shop Heaven Awaits on etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/heavenawaits. She is so talented in her jewelry making! She also has the greatest taste in antique lockets :)

I've been reading on all of the Egyptian revivals that have occurred in jewelry. I believe this locket is from the later 1800's / early 1900's. The most popular Egyptian revival was in the 1920's after King Tutankhamen tomb was discovered. But I'm not sure if this screams the 20's. Any suggestions? I'd love to learn more about it!

Purple Jewelled Lockets

Purple Art Nouveau jewelled lockets are my most favorite lockets of them all - they're usually larger than most and are so dramatic in appearance!

This is my newest one that I purchased on etsy from this seller -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NICOLEMOriginals - she has some great lockets in her sold archive!

Lockets.

I have never created a blog before, so please bear with me as I'm a wee newbie. I love looking at different websites that displays a persons lockets or entire collections. My current favorite blog that I just love to oggle at is gemgossip.com - which has such a beautiful variety of jewelry to look at. Since I am a locket addict, I wanted to make a blog dedicated to just antique/vintage lockets. I'd love to see your lockets and hope to post pictures of others collections. I'm not sure if it will be viewed - but I'm certain it'll help along my own addiction :)