How to clean vintage 50s earrings?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

My Aunty (now deceased) was very glamorous in the 50s and I have some of her costume jewellery from then. I have a pair of Jewelcraft clip on earrings that look like they could do with a clean but I have no idea what metal they’re made of. Could anyone advise me what it might be and how to clean them? Pic attached.

Looks like tarnished silver perhaps? Do they have a silver mark on them? (925 or something). You could try a silver polishing cloth on the back just to test.

Or take them into a jewellers and ask for a quote for cleaning - they might tell you what they’re made of along with the price and you’d have no obligation to take them up on it.

They’re not silver I don’t think. I think it’s probably just costume jewellery. But seeing as they’re 1950s they’re fairly interesting so want to keep them.

Possibly pewter. It reminds me of some vintage Miracle jewellery I have. Pewter isn't intended to be shiny.
I'd carefully clean with soap and water and a soft toothbrush.

I would try toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Works brilliantly on silver earrings anyway, I just rub it on with my fingers, rinse, dry and stick in my ears.

I have some 1950s brooches and bracelets and, although they might look sturdy, the clasps / fastenings are very fragile. I avoid handling them as much as I can and, if they needed cleaning that badly, I'd take them to a professional jeweller.

Beautiful. Personally I think they look lovely as is/don't need cleaning but whatever you do try it on the back first just in case. There are some channels on YouTube from collectors and sellers of vintage jewellery who might have some videos with advice of how to clean them, I've seen some videos on cleaning vintage costume jewellery but I can't remember who uploaded it (I love vintage jewellery too!)

Well I tried the toothpaste method before I’d read anything else and it does seem to have got some of the muck off. But yes I don’t think they’re intended to be shiny as such.

I’ve just wasted about 2 hours looking up hallmarks on all my other old jewellery. Was supposed to be ironing. 😆