Jewelry sellers...a couple questions?

B

Buckarooandco

Registered Guest
Can you help me with some definitions?

I have a set of Mexican Silver-bracelet and earrings. I know there are different definitions for sets, like parure and demi parure, etc...but I don't know which is which? Is there a post on the board anywhere with them? What kind of set would earrings and a bracelet be?

And...is it OK for me to clean these? It's jut normal tarnishing, but when I look at others on ebay theirs are SO shiny...

Thanks in advance!!
 
A parure is a "full" set of matching jewelry, i.e., necklace, earrings, bracelet, and brooch (any 3 can be called a parure, since not all sets came with all those components). A "demi" is 2 out of a set; your earrings and bracelet would be a demi.

I generally do clean my vintage silver pieces, but only either with a wee bit of plain, non-abrasive soap and water (if just surface soiled), or silver polish if more than a little tarnished. BUT, rub only with your fingers, gently, and don't try to get every last bit of tarnish off. You don't really want a vintage piece that looks brand new! For minimal tarnish, I only polish up with a soft jewelry cloth--I don't clean it with anything. Most collectors don't expect, or want, a piece that has lost its vintage look.

Hope this helps!
 
Thank you SO much!!! Yes, that's exactly what I needed to know!

Originally posted by vintagebaubles
A parure is a "full" set of matching jewelry, i.e., necklace, earrings, bracelet, and brooch (any 3 can be called a parure, since not all sets came with all those components). A "demi" is 2 out of a set; your earrings and bracelet would be a demi.

I generally do clean my vintage silver pieces, but only either with a wee bit of plain, non-abrasive soap and water (if just surface soiled), or silver polish if more than a little tarnished. BUT, rub only with your fingers, gently, and don't try to get every last bit of tarnish off. You don't really want a vintage piece that looks brand new! For minimal tarnish, I only polish up with a soft jewelry cloth--I don't clean it with anything. Most collectors don't expect, or want, a piece that has lost its vintage look.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
 
You're welcome!

I should have mentioned that often you will find, in a piece with nooks & crannies, that someone before you has attempted to polish it, and there will be silver polish residue.... You should get that off! I use warm water and, if there is still some left that won't dissolve, a blunt-end toothpick to very gently remove it. And, of course, if you use water on a silver piece, you must dry it very, very thoroughly with a soft cloth.
 
Can I use that dip stuff to clean them with? Or will that harm them?

They have those weird Inca masks made of Onyx in each link and in each earring...

I have a brooch that has the same onyx in the center, but it's not the same design as the others...the demi only has "silver mexico" as a hallmark...dating it to pre 1948...

The brooch has the Mexican Eagle with the Mexico City 1, and "hecho en Mexico" and sterling 925...but with an "M" following it...and possibly another initial...hmmm...

Cool thing about the brooch is that it has a loop on top so you could use it as a pendant, too...


Originally posted by vintagebaubles
You're welcome!

I should have mentioned that often you will find, in a piece with nooks & crannies, that someone before you has attempted to polish it, and there will be silver polish residue.... You should get that off! I use warm water and, if there is still some left that won't dissolve, a blunt-end toothpick to very gently remove it. And, of course, if you use water on a silver piece, you must dry it very, very thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Click to expand...
 
that dip stuff is pretty harsh and sometimes turns mexican silver a funky color.

i would just use a polishing cloth.
 
Definitely, do not use that dip stuff--never, ever, ever! And if there are stones in the jewelry, not just silver, I agree to just polish with a polishing cloth--no silver polish on a piece that has a natural stone in it.

I clean my own personal pieces of silver & stone jewelry using a bit of soap and water if they really need it, but I wouldn't do it on a piece for resale, only the silver-only pieces.
 
IMO, that's incorrect usage. The original manufacturer would make a series of pieces in a particular design, often with a style/design name, and a full parure would be all the pieces in the line while a demi would be just some of them.

If someone finds a necklace and earrings with the same colored stones from roughly the same time period, or two similar pieces by the same designer, that may lead to some happy accessorizing but it doesn't amount to what can rightly be called a demi parure.

It's a married, not a matched set!
 
Carrie - Thanks.

That's what my research has shown. I've been researching the Parure terms all morning for an article I'm writing. In practice, sellers are using demi and married as one in the same.

Seen a lot of sellers popping up lately. And even more who aren't using proper terms, definitions, etc. Truly disappointing.
 
Vintage jewelry is a fashion statement.. These items are fun and unique.. But it require care.. If your jewelry has stones attached then you must carefully evaluate the stones, settings and overall condition, Soft materials such as pearls; opals, coral and others will be damaged by the ultrasonic waves!!For these pieces, we recommend the basic cleaning with Q-tips and clean water. On some occasions, we will use the suds from dishwashing solution.. Jewelry that has rhinestones with foil backing should never be submerged.. I hope you will like my suggestion..
 
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