HOW DO I CLEAN PLATED BRASS FINDINGS? HOW OFTEN?
That's a question that was posed to me just this afternoon by a favorite customer.
I can't speak to OTHER people's plated brass charms and findings, as they may use other platers than I do. I searched hard for my platers and they are guaranteed the best in the costume trade. I have to admit, I'm just a little bit proud of that....and of them! ;-)
Still, let's face it, even though the findings I sell are MADE IN USA, FINISHED IN USA....they still ARE brass-based.
And brass will turn.
The plating finish definitely retards air from getting to the brass, however. So what you are looking at turning, possibly, is the FINISH, rather than the brass itself.
Here's what I told her:
The brass ox and copper ox should stay about the same indefinitely, with the only change maybe being that they will deepen and get BETTER, yum, gotta love that old look. The only cleaning it ever needs is a soft rag to remove body oils or whatever might get on it in the course of wearing. Never needs buffed out.
Gunmetal will stay just as it is, can't get darker than black, ha!
I've never seen pewter ox turn, either, always stays the same.
Antique silverplate, Silverware Silverplate and Russian Goldplate might benefit with the quick buff of a Sunshine cloth (jewelry rag MADE for plated finishes....do not EVER use a rouge cloth or a liquid cleaner made for bare metal. A liquid cleaner that is acceptable is JEWELRY JOOSE, it is a nontoxic cleaner for plated, costume pieces). It shouldn't require much attention often. Don't rub and scrub on it as it might lift the antiquing, and never immerse in jewelry cleaner. If you use JOOSE, use it on a soft rag, lightly.
Our plain sterling finish will definitely turn, even though it is lacquered. So will fine sterling. ;-) Again, a whack with a rag is all it should require. How long? That depends on how much acid is in your skin, where you live (humidity) how much sunlight it's exposed to, how often you wear it, yatta yatta. Could be six months. Could be six weeks.
But it can be dealt with. ;-)
And so worth it!
Best to one and all,
B'sue
) 
