Exquisite MOP Carved Necklace

[mausketeer]

Okay, technically, NOT a pearl but it is SO amazing it deserves to be in the "show-off" thread! I have NEVER seen carving like this (even when I Googled "mother of pearl carvings" I didn't come across any as well done as this one). It is JAW DROPPING! I had my doubts about it being real (to carve it SO well and so TINY - I can't imagine!) but when I received it today I could see the flashes of green and pink and some carving marks along the side so...... yeah, it's a real carving (I had thought it might have been some sort of cast plastic or resin but it's definitely mother of pearl).

Question: it's quite dirty and I'm trying to clean in the teensy tiny little holes in her carved comb but even the toothbrush can't get in there - if I take it to a jeweler they wouldn't put it in a sonic cleaner, would they? It's too delicate. Any ideas of how to get the dirt out of those tiny little holes?

Here are the photos the seller had - I'll get a couple up with it beside a dime to show how truly small it is.

- Jodie -

(what an AMAZING birthday present for myself!!!)

 

[pattye]

She is gorgeous! Check your small cosmetic brushes for one with much finer bristles. Wash your brush before using it on this pendant. I would use something like an unscented liquid pure castile soap; that's what I use on pearls. My favorite is Dr. Bronner's brand. Definitely would avoid jewelers. They likely will be in a hurry to get it done, and no one will be as careful as you would be. Does it appear her comb is glued on, or carved from one piece? Perhaps you could shave a toothpick down to a fine point?

p.s. I ALWAYS wear magnifying glasses for my jewelry work, such as "readers." Makes it much easier to see the details!

 

[mausketeer]

Thanks Pattye! Yes, I just bought a pair of +2.5 readers the other day that I've been using since I've been buying so many items lately (bad girl!) I definitely need another loupe too (lost mine somewhere).

Here are photos - it's as good as I could do for now with my ultra soft kids toothbrush and water. At least the dirt came off her eyes and roses. Another puzzle: why on EARTH would such an amazing carving be put on a setting of just a piece of sterling that's held in place with raw claw prongs? I'm guessing she's older and it was re-set? It's like putting a diamond in brass or something.......

Is Nora the all round vintage jewelry expert on here? Maybe she'll chime in with her thoughts on "The Spanish Lady's" age? Oh, she needs a name! What should I call her?

- Jodie -
(oh, and for reference I have freakishly small "doll hands" so she looks bigger than she is in my palm. Check out the detail in her earring beside the "E Pluribus Unum" on the dime! It's HALF the size!)

 

[mausketeer]

Does it appear her comb is glued on, or carved from one piece? Perhaps you could shave a toothpick down to a fine point?

It's all one piece. That's why I'm so afraid to touch it - I would DIE if I broke anything! I think the dirt is hard to get off because the silver is right underneath it - even if I loosen it it has nowhere to go. Also the dirt on the sides doesn't seem to be going anywhere, I guess because it's a bit rougher.......

Yes, I'll have to use a toothpick I think and clean each hole individually........ gee, I feel like an archaeologist! (I wanted to be one when I was a kid until I found out that 95% of the job was waiting to find things and the other 5% was painstakingly cleaning things..... no thanks!)

 

[pattye]

Wow! She is small! It is possible the silver under the comb is a bit tarnished, and nothing can be done about that, imho. She seems to be cleaning up quite nicely!

 

[mausketeer]

Ahhhh....... for some reason I thought castile soap had mineral oil - it's olive oil! Hmmm, have to buy some to try for myself (I have very particular skin, can't use anything scented or I get itchy.) I've always used Pears soap.......

We have lots of organic and health food places here (Vancouver) plus "Lush" which is a big soap and natural products store (I gag when I go in there - it SMELLS so strong!) I'll go in there and ask for some castile soap........

 

[lisa c]

I'm so bad, but. Are you sure you can't gently heat it, enough to bend the prongs a little and separate the sterling from the pearl? Then polish the sterling and clean the MOP.

Ok, see, this is why I get in trouble, the clean-it-up impulse. Sorry. If you can refrain from intense cleaning, more power to you.