Vintage Clan Badge Advice Needed

[Lyle1]

I would give them a bit of a wash, even if you do not polish them; a gentle wash will not remove any patina that might have developed. A patina can be nice, but there isn't anything attractive about dirt. I don't think the crests were intended to be worn in that condition, and I don't think it honors the entire concept of a clan crest to wear with an accumulation of old grime. Cleaning them would also protect the original finish and prevent corrosion in the future.

[English Bloke]

I like those Kyle. Something to treasure. I'd go with the toothbrush, soap and water plan to ensure they were clean and then a light polish of the top surfaces as per Matt's suggestion. Very nice.

10 years ago, obviously I'd have had them gleaming like a new pin but I'm not in that game anymore and I think they look better showing a bit of age.

[Deirachel]

I would advise a gentle cleaning with hand soap and the a hand buffing with microfibre to preserve the patina or using a jewelry cleaner machine (the kind that vibrate the dirt off). Bodge up one by putting warm water and hand soap in a tupperwear-type bowl and sit the whole thing on a vibrating back massager pad if you don't want to spend $20+ on one.

But, if you want an inexpensive way to polish silver and remove the patina, there is no need to buy any specific chemical abrasive, you have what you need in your house most likely.

Silver Polishing


1. Boil 2 quarts of water.
2. In either a glass container or a steel kitchen sink (stopped up of course), place a piece of heavy duty aluminium foil, and 2 tablespoons each, baking powder, table salt (good old fashioned NaCl) (for larger objects, double water/salt/baking powder).
3. Pour in the water once it boils, place the silver object into the water (fully submerged) and let sit until the patina is gone (about 5-10 mins for heavy patina, 1-2 mins for a touch up).
4. Pull it out of water (use tongs for saftey) and buff with a soft, dry cloth to the level of shine you want [a buffing wheel will make this easier if you want very high (blinding) shine].

Total cost about 5-30¢ (if your water is expensive) vs. $4-7 per bottle


SCIENCE!

[English Bloke]

Blimey! I'd try that just for the " 'ave a go" factor. Must find a silver thing that needs a bit clean... {Nooo.. put the pocket watch down John... Step away from the sink.}

[Deirachel]

If I had before and after pics I would show the before.... but here is an after of my preist's crown which I used this method on for a ritual on 20 May. The tarnish/patina on it was almost jet black on the leaves.



Edit: Note this piece has a moonstone on the center of the forehead. This is a great example of how good this method is, as you don't want to get commercial silver polish on moonstone as it can damage the stone. This method is especially good for stones of this nature. Turquoise, pearl, moonstone, star diopside, jade.... (don't use this on opals! don't use this on a silk strung pearl necklace to shine the clasp, but a silver and pearl ring, go!!!)

Edit 2: It does have a very mild unpleasant odor... bitter metal smell. I fix this with a scented candle, spray, or boiling a bit of garlic in water afterward just to get rid of the smell.

[MacGumerait]

Greetings,

I recently purchased two lovely vintage, Clan Macpherson/Chattan badges from Timothy at House of Labhran. They are both made of silver, in good condition, and date from the 1940's-50's. My question is, should I clean these badges up? Polish them perhaps? I'm a huge fan of Antiques Roadshow on PBS and the BBC, and many of the experts on there advise against any sort of polishing or "cleaning" up of certain items, however, these are simple clan badges of a bygone era, would it be okay to restore them? If I decide to do so, what would be the best method?

As you can see from the two photos, the badges have considerable darker areas, which definitely add a vintage look to them. I am unsure if the so-called, 'darker' areas are original to the design of the badges, or if it is simply dirt and grime that has accumulated for the past 60+ years. It may prove advantagous to leave them as they are, but I am keen on learning what suggestions the 'rabble' have.

It is also very interesting to note (According to Timothy) that these badges originated from traditional Clan Macpherson lands in Inverness-shire, which makes them all the more special and meaningful to me. Who knows how many Macpherson (Chattan) clansmen from the past wore these badges. I don't know how Timothy finds these wonderful items, but I am sure glad he does!




Thanks mates,

Kyle ,

I think the dark areas are deliberate . The raised areas , i.e. the edge of the belt , the letters , the cat , the buckle , etc. all show the silver but the background areas are dark in order to give contrast . If this darkness was truly patina it would appear across all parts of the badge .

I know that the raised areas could experience somone's buffing cloth from time to time , thus be more " shiney " but the dark areas versus the light areas appears to be uniform , consistent and deliberate .

Both are great pieces !! I would tread lightly on cleaning them . My occupation and education has taken me into the world of metallurgy over the years and I would recommend that you take these pieces to a " smithy " preferablly a silversmith .

A silversmith can quickly tell you if these pieces were meant to have a dark inlay or if it's patina . If they were meant to have a darker inlay , it would be unfortunate to scrub that away .

Best to ya , Mike

[creagdhubh]

Many thanks to everyone for their advice and opinions on the matter, it is much appreciated! Once the badges have arrived from Scotland, I'll be sure to keep the rabble posted on what I decide to do to them (more than likely just a wee bit of soap and water, a toothbrush, and polishing cloth for the "raised" areas and that's it).

Best wishes,

[creagdhubh]

Timothy just added several more vintage badges to the House of Labhran website for those of you who are interested.

Harold, David, Brooke, and Scott (I realise you are armigerous, Scott): There is a vintage Clan MacMillan badge for sale. Hurry, these things sell fast!!!

Sandy: I know you are armigerous, but there is a vintage Clan MacLean badge for sale.

http://www.houseoflabhran.net/fine-s...sterling-silv/

Cheers,

[JSFMACLJR]

Timothy just added several more vintage badges to the House of Labhran website for those of you who are interested.

Harold, David, Brooke, and Scott (I realise you are armigerous, Scott): There is a vintage Clan MacMillan badge for sale. Hurry, these things sell fast!!!

Sandy: I know you are armigerous, but there is a vintage Clan MacLean badge for sale.

http://www.houseoflabhran.net/fine-s...sterling-silv/

Cheers,

I saw that, Kyle...thanks! I have quite a few old clan badges around, and just like MacMillan of Rathdown, wear one on occasion.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thanks for the "heads up"... in common with a lot of armigers I sometimes use a clansman's bonnet badge as a kilt pin, and on some occasions wear it in preference to my own badge.