how to clean enamel cufflinks

[arvi]

i've recently been buying vintage enamel cufflinks..is there anyway to clean/shine/buff the enamel without harming it?also wondering if will metal polish hurt the enamel? i hope you see this Cuffthis and can help

 

[AlanC]

cuffthis is your man, of course, but I'd love to see pictures, arvi.

 

[cuffthis]

I am going to defer to the REAL expert on antique enamel cufflinks. My friend Derek Anastasia  has the world's foremost collection of only antique enamel cufflinks, which is larger (and much, much) more valuable than mine. I asked him this question and I am hopeful he will respond to you. You may want to post this question on his message board on his website, as I know he will respond to it. It may already be addressed on his website. http://www.enamelcufflinks.com/

 

[arvi]

thanks

 

[cuffthis]

Arvi,

I just heard from my friend Derek. He is out of town this weekend. He indicated he will respond to your question Monday when he returns.

Regards,

Tom

 

[Derek]

When you pose the question of how to "clean/shine/polish the enamel" on cuff links, I will assume in answering your question you mean just that ... the enamel ... not the underlying metal. Yes, the way to accomplish this is for an enamelist or enamel restorer to take on the job. They have the experience and expertise. Given this, it is the rare time that much can be done to help the damage to the enamel. And by damage I mean scratching from light to heavy. Chips, cracks and discolored areas are a completely different matter. This entails completely stripping the enamel and starting over. A very costly proposition. There is nothing one can go out and buy to remove the scratches or make the enamel shine any brighter (aside from a wet cloth and a bit of mild soap). The bottom line here is that enamel is simply colored glass. Nothing more. Nothing less. Enamel is ground, powdered silica (sand) mixed with various oxides for color, bonded by fusion to a heat-softened metal surface in a kiln. The word "enamel" refers to the glass material as well as the finished product. I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to post them or e-mail me. Derek Anastasia AOA Men's Jewelry Category Appraiser, Association of Online Appraisers and the Online Appraisal Service 'Ask The Appraiser' Enamel Advisor, National Cuff Link Society and the American Society of Jewelry Historians Please visit my informational website @ ..... www.EnamelCuffLinks.com " Your one & only e-source for news and information on e-namel Cuff Links "

 

[arvi]

thanks derek