Any Suggestions ?

[Getty]

I dug this brooch/pin type thing 2 1/2 monthes ago.I had it in olive oil for the 2 1/2 monthes.It did loosen some dirt ,as there was sediment in the bottom of the cup.I posted here and was told it is probably around 1850s era.I know it was not black back then.I dont know what its made of but theres no corrosion or rust.Theres also no green as with copper but appears like copper.Brass,maybe?I am looking for some ideas on how best to clean it.The 1st pic is after it was dug and cleaned with soap and water.The 2nd pic is after 2 1/2 monthes in olive oil.

Thanx ,jimmy

 

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[Jeffro]

Judging by the amount of detail, I would say that it would be hard to clean any further. If you go at it with a toothbrush or something, the cracks and crevices will still be dark, while you may get some color out of the flatter areas, kindof a two tone look. Have you looked into what it is and how much its worth? start there and decide if you want to go further with it. If you do want to go further with it, then there are numerous posts regarding types of cleaners and what the results were.

 

[Michigan Badger]

I think it's beautiful now after the oil soak.

If it were me, I'd leave it in oil for maybe a couple more months.

I personally have never had this good result with olive oil. But many of my finds come from farming fields which are known for badly corroded coins and artifacts.

Your broach looks like it came from clay ground. Clay ground really preserves metal items.

I wouldn't strip away that dark toning. That's really aged patina and valuable. If you make it shiny it will lose it's aged character.

I'd soak it more, maybe brush it with a tooth brush, and remove the oil. Once cleaned of oil and dried I'd coat it with bees wax or one of those commercial non-yellowing spray coatings.

That's my -2 cents.

 

[Getty]

Judging by the amount of detail, I would say that it would be hard to clean any further. If you go at it with a toothbrush or something, the cracks and crevices will still be dark, while you may get some color out of the flatter areas, kindof a two tone look.? Have you looked into what it is and how much its worth? start there and decide if you want to go further with it. If you do want to go further with it, then there are numerous posts regarding types of cleaners and what the results were.
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I have not looked into what it is or its worth.I guess its worth isnt great or anything but being told by more than a few that its 1850s era ,its worth a great deal to me.I dont sell any of my finds except cash in clad.I just would like to make it more appealling to my eye.

 

[Jeffro]

I gotta agree with Zeb on this, I think that sucker came out looking great after the olive oil. It preserved the patina, and got rid of the dirt, etc. that made it look nasty. The details are clear, and it has a nice aged look to it.

The way I look at something like this is, why would I want to make it look shiny and new, like something you can go out and buy off the shelf? That piece has a character all its own.

check out "very expensive lesson in coin cleaning" by Klaatu, it does have some bearing on what you are doing here, even though its not a valuable old coin.

Plus, i don't think that anything that has been cleaned beyond this point ever comes out looking quite right. Thats just my opinion, though. Try some things on old wheaties and see for yourself.

 

[Getty]

Thanx for the feedback guys.I think Ill put it back in the olive oil a whille longer and leave it at that.I dont want it to look new but would like to know/see what kind of metal it is,that is what I meant by eye appeal.

 

[JakePhelps]

I would leave it alone! Its definetly copper or brass.

 

[Aerosmithy]

if its not green or coroded then its definitley brass
the brass key cover on my lock was the only thing not coroded
and it looks like the same material