Question

[Digginitdaily]

A few months ago I had found a gold chain at the base of a tree. The dirt showed signs of being burned and the chain had green splotches. I've read that older jewelry can be improperly mixed so the heat and time in the ground would cause the copper to leach out in return causing the green splotches. The latch is plated . The chain itself though is not. I've tested it to make sure. So what can I do to thoroughly remove the green spots?

 

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[Bernitup]

A few months ago I had found a gold chain at the base of a tree. The dirt showed signs of being burned and the chain had green splotches. I've read that older jewelry can be improperly mixed so the heat and time in the ground would cause the copper to leach out in return causing the green splotches. The latch is plated . The chain itself though is not. I've tested it to make sure. So what can I do to thoroughly remove the green spots?

I would try an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner first and then move on to a silver/gold cleaner. I tend to stick to just a silver cleaner as it seems to work best for me and my needs. I like the ultrasonic cleaners they do very well about getting the gunk out of the tiny cracks and crevices of jewelry and the like. There is plenty of information on line, but your local jewelers should have a cleaner and I’m sure they could take care of it for you. A baking soda and salt paste with a toothbrush might help?!? Good luck either way

 

[pepperj]

A few months ago I had found a gold chain at the base of a tree. The dirt showed signs of being burned and the chain had green splotches. I've read that older jewelry can be improperly mixed so the heat and time in the ground would cause the copper to leach out in return causing the green splotches. The latch is plated . The chain itself though is not. I've tested it to make sure. So what can I do to thoroughly remove the green spots?

I might be just a heavy plated chain.
The areas that are showing the funky look isn't gold.

 

[Digginitdaily]

I might be just a heavy plated chain.
The areas that are showing the funky look isn't gold.

Underneath the green stuff is in fact gold. The latch is plated though. It wasn't solid green like the gas station chains. I used a coin scope to check before and after I picked the stuff off. If it were plated then the plating would have to be missing for the gunk to develop but it'd not! However, I cut a link off and ran the acid test on it. It's 18kt. I think either the burnt ground it was in or the poorly mixed alloys allowed those splotches to pop up. It has definitely caused curiosity

 

[pepperj]

Underneath the green stuff is in fact gold. The latch is plated though. It wasn't solid green like the gas station chains. I used a coin scope to check before and after I picked the stuff off. If it were plated then the plating would have to be missing for the gunk to develop but it'd not! However, I cut a link off and ran the acid test on it. It's 18kt. I think either the burnt ground it was in or the poorly mixed alloys allowed those splotches to pop up. It has definitely caused curiosity

I would like to see a picture of the cut link.
I've never seen 18K to have any type of leaching as what's on this piece.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Gold plated..