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Fine Medieval Jewelry - Cloak Clasps, Brooches, Talismans
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                                     The Care and Cleaning of Bronze
                  All bronze will patina.  If you want it bright and shiny again, here's how to do it.

                       
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin with traces of other elements.  Like other copper alloys, it will oxidize over time. 
We call this oxidation patina and often seek to control it to get a certain color on the bronze.  Many people like the
look of the bronze once it has patina.  It gives it a distinctive and distinguished look.  But sometimes you might want
that bright, shiny and new look.  It is easy to do.  Here are Master Ark's secrets to restoring your bronze to its new look.


       1)                                                               Bronze will Patina
After a summer of being exposed to the elements these bronze pieces have developed a rich brown patina.
Master Ark's secret for restoring them to their "just polished" look is Lemon Juice!            >>>


         3)                                  Rub the Lemon Juice on the Piece


Rub the lemon juice evenly on the piece.  If it has been forever since it was cleaned you may need to add more and do this twice.  By rubbing the lemon juice on with my fingers I avoid getting lemon juice in the low areas so they stay dark and give a nice contrast.


5)                                                             Dry and Polish


                             Dry the piece and buff it with a soft cloth (flannel works well).


7)                                                          Lemons Work


Real lemons work great.  You can even use the peel after you have squeezed out all the juice for lemonade!


Always remember to dispose of your used money properly.  Send it to Master Ark and get wonderful jewelry for it.  (It will last much longer than the money! )         Ark
    2)                                                                    Apply the Lemon Juice
Put a few drops of lemon juice on the bronze.  Lemon juice is cheap, biodegradable, non toxic, and works great!  What more could anybody ask?  Some people use other things like salt & vinegar or toothpaste.  These work, but they are harder on the bronze.  Ark says, Use lemon juice.


4)                                                          Rinse the Lemon Juice Off


 Lemon juice is sticky.  Rinse the piece with water.  A word of Caution:  If your piece has stones set in it they are most likely held in to the setting with epoxy glue.  Keeping the glue dry is a good idea, so avoid getting the stones wet when possible and dry your piece right away.  Never soak it in water, wear it swimming, or wear it in the shower.


6)                                                       Now it is Bright and Shiny


Here is a cloak clasp with the right part cleaned with lemon juice and the smaller piece still with its patina.  It's up to you which you prefer. But don't worry if you clean your piece and then decide you liked it better with the patina.  It will get that way again in time.  Humidity hastens the process.  If you take it to Pennsic it is almost certain to have a nice patina by the time you go home (commonly called the "Pennsic Patina").

8)                                                           Bright and Shiny



So there you have it.  Hope you have learned something new.
 Enjoy your Master Ark piece!