How to make shiny jewelry looks matte

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Original Post

fleamarketbee says

Hi,
I just bought a vintage necklace but it still looks too shiny to me. How do I make it matte or less shiny?
I know with silver jewelry you can use sulphur or egg yolk. I am not sure with other material...
Thanks!

Posted at 1:16pm Feb 23, 2010 EST

Responses

ClosetGothic says

me too!

Posted at 3:00am Feb 25, 2010 EST

seedsoftime says

hmmm interesting

me three

Posted at 3:09am Feb 25, 2010 EST

sonyarasi says

I have used very fine steel wool or scotch brite on plated metals for a matte/brushed surface. Brush it with a very light hand going in one direction.

Posted at 3:14am Feb 25, 2010 EST

StudioDax says

Any of the chemicals recommended will make it darker - tarnish it - rather than soften the finish.

Use steel wool, but not from the grocery store - go to a hardware store, or sometimes an auto detailing place. You want steel wool that is ".000 or .0000" grade. I use this all the time - it gives a soft matte finish. Household steel wool is usually a 2.0 - 3.0 grade, which is waaaaay too coarse.

Try it on the back odf a piece, and use a very light hand. Go in small swirly motions (circles or figure 8).

Good luck!

Posted at 3:53am Feb 25, 2010 EST

reaashlie says

To be on the safe side, since you do not know the type of metal used, it would be better to use steel wool.

Posted at 9:49am Feb 25, 2010 EST

BotanicalBead says

I found a site some time ago, with lots of "patina recipes". Haven't bought the various chemicals (yet) because I'm in Canada and assume getting them over the border might be problematic.

Anyway here is the link

www.sciencecompany.com/patinas/patinaformulas.htm

If anyone tries them let me know how it goes!

Posted at 6:48pm Feb 25, 2010 EST

Seavbeach says

I agree with Studiodax go to the hardware store or Lowes/Homedepot. Use the finest steel wool, if that doesnt work go to next grade up. You should work on the back first to familiarize yourself with what youre doing then the front, same thing with the chain.
Good luck, its a beautiful necklace

Posted at 11:28am Feb 26, 2010 EST

GatheringSplendor says

marking

Posted at 11:31am Feb 26, 2010 EST

fleamarketbee says

Thanks for those who have contributed!!!!
Well shortly after i posted this topic I dared myself to soak it with vinegar and salt for about an hour. I didn't see any changes, it was still shiny as hell!
So maybe I will try using the steel wool. But then... steel wool seems good with flat surface. I am not sure about applying it to chain. The matte finishing might be uneven?

Posted at 5:32pm Feb 28, 2010 EST

brightsmith says

Salt and vinegar is commonly listed as a formula used to clean and shine brass, so I'm not sure that putting the solution in direct contact would make it more dull. To use vinegar to tarnish brass, you have to suspend the brass in a closed container over vinegar fumes. In my own experience, direct contact with vinegar does shine brass -- dunno about a salt and vinegar mixture.

Posted at 5:54pm Mar 1, 2010 EST