This post with a lot of useful tips on Reinventing Vintage jewelry has been written by John Brasington who is a veteran of unsavoury household arrangements and learned to clean in the trenches of student living. Now he writes about cleaning and whatever else takes his fancy.
Costume Jewellery is Back in Fashion: Can You Make Your Old Pieces Shine?
With vintage fashion still going strong, and bold, statement jewellery all the rage on high streets and catwalk alike, there’s never been a better time to open your old jewellery chests and dressing-up boxes and see what you can give a new lease of life. You’ll gain some great retro pieces that no one else will have – and it’s fun to enjoy wearing things you loved as a child, or your mum’s old favourites, all over again.
Sometimes, though, you’ll find that pieces have been damaged or lost their lustre, or that you’re not quite sure how to wear them with modern fashions. Don’t worry: from how to clean silver to working vintage pieces into new outfits, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to make your old jewellery shine again.
How to clean metal jewellery
Whether it’s heirloom solid sliver jewellery or cheap and cheerful brass sparkles, metal can tarnish or get discoloured over time. Luckily, though, it cleans up easily – and you don’t have to invest in special metal polishes, either.
These articles on how to clean silver and brass use inexpensive ingredients you’ll already have around the house, and they also tell you how to store and take care of metal so it stays lustrous for longer.
Upcycling and repurposing
Trickier than polishing your jewellery, salvaging it if it’s been damaged can be difficult for those new to this sort of activity. It’s so disappointing to rediscover a much loved earring only to find you’ve lost its partner, or break the clasp on a beautiful old necklace. But with a bit of imagination, you can repair things yourself and even create entirely new pieces.
A broken clasp can easily be replaced with a normal safety pin. Often, the chains on large, cheap costume necklaces turn dark and discoloured before the pendant does – but if you replace the chain with a chiffon scarf or a ribbon in a co-ordinating colour then you’ll give the whole piece a completely new, modern look.
And don’t forget that a jeweller can make small additions or alterations that are much cheaper than getting a whole new piece of jewellery. A lone earring can be turned into a pendant by filing off the back and adding a normal loop for a chain, while stones from broken necklaces and bracelets can be reset in smaller items like rings or brooches.
Working it!
So, you’ve got your vintage jewellery looking like new – but suddenly you’re worried you can’t pull it off. Especially with loud costume-style pieces, it can be difficult to match vintage jewellery with modern outfits.
Some people are very comfortable mixing clothes from different eras and piecing together entire retro outfits, but if that isn’t for you, you can still place isolated vintage pieces with your own clothes. If you’re new to costume jewellery, try pairing it with very simple modern clothes: a bold statement necklace with a white t-shirt and jeans, or an outsize sparkly brooch on a black jacket lapel. The contrast will really emphasise your vintage piece – after all, once you’ve made the effort to restore or repurpose it, you might as well show it off!
So there’s the full story on wearing vintage jewellery – from how to clean silver and brass to how to pair new and old pieces. With these tips and a little inspiration you’re all set to have a dig in your wardrobe and see what you can bring to life.
I hope you found it interesting
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