How To Clean Ivory Jewelry
If dirt remains but no cracks using a solution of 50 ethyl alcohol and 50 distilled water dip a q tip into the solution and blot on a piece of paper towel.
How to clean ivory jewelry. Some sites recommend cleaning ivory by rubbing it with lemon and setting it in the sun. Dry your ivory immediately to prevent it from splitting or cracking. To clean silver line a bowl with aluminum foil and fill it with hot water and teaspoon of salt. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to scrub away any remaining grime. Ensure none of the cloths used to clean the piece have been dried with fabric softener as it will transfer to the piece and can cause damage or markings on the surface.
Use the damp cloth to wipe down all surfaces of the ivory item. Use this to clean a small inconspicuous area and dry immediately. Handle ivory with white cotton gloves. Never allow your ivory to soak in the solution. Ivory that is in good condition should be cleaned and wiped gently with a soft clean cloth.
To clean gold jewelry let it soak for 15 minutes in a bowl of warm water with a few squirts of dishwashing soap. I realize this is a general answer since i don t know what the item is. Soak a soft cloth in clean water and wring out the excess. Keep working the glycerin into the ivory and wipe it off between cleanings with a soft rag. Dip a cloth in baking soda to rub all over your ivory after it has dried.
Since these are also free of contaminants and dye based materials it s pretty safe to clean the ivory. This will bleach the ivory and should not be used on antiques because removing the color will affect the value. Stir until the salt dissolves then soak the silver for a few minutes. When the juice and salt has all been wiped away allow the piece to air dry. A bead a carving a tusk or other ivory piece.
If your ivory jewelry pieces have a speck of stubborn dirt to be cleaned you can also use a product called a white vinyl eraser. If these are not available wash your hands first with soap and water to remove hand oils and dirt. Reach into any tight cracks and crevices. Be sure to use a soft clean paintbrush and to work in one direction so that you don t spread dirt or impurities around the surface of the object. The glycerin will also help put oil back into the surface and loosen deeper dirt.