Pandora Bracelets Get Dull from Beads

[jamief03]

Has anyone had reactions to your Pandora or similar bracelets made of silver from the beads? I don't use silver cores on the beads. I clean the beads very well, I think, but the bracelets look dull and can't be polished. Any suggestions?

[Renee]

Does it look dull as in scratched? Perhaps putting it in a tumbler might help, though I don't know if that would solve your problem. There are products that you can buy that will polish metals to a high shine. I know Rio carries them, and I'm sure others to as well. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[isa]

I have heard that Trollbeads will not replace bracelets if they break if you have uncored beads on them. They say that the bracelets get worn down faster without the cores, but I have only heard this from others and not from Trollbeads.

[jamief03]

The bracelet just looks dull and not shiny like it should. I'm wondering if some of the bead release gets on it. But I did wash it and try to polish it with a polishing cloth. The same thing happens with the bangle screw ball bracelets. Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll just have to deal with it. At least it's under the beads and only does this where the beads rest. Thanks so much.
j

[Beadbug]

I have a pandora bracelet with uncored beads on it and it does look dull sometimes but I just tumble it and it jumps back to life. The bracelet I have had for years and it doesn't look like the beads are wearing it any different than my friends who only use cored beads on theirs. Just recently I have learned how to core them and I got a troll bracelet that I plan on using only cored beads on just to see if there is any difference.

[Renee]

I'm curious to know how long it took your bracelet to look dull with uncored beads. Does it happen fairly quickly?

[suzanne]

Okay here's the deal. If you are using beads wich are uncored you'll need to be absolutely sure they have no sharp edges. Their holes need to be really puckered and the inside has to be smooth. If the edges are straight instead of puckered the bead will have a sharp edge. The glass will even cut through the silver if worn long enough because glass is harder then silver. It will scratch the silver.

Now I've been wearing my trollbead bracelets for over a year now, even with uncored beads without any problems, so you might want to check your beads to make sure they are completely smooth :)

[Byrdbeads]

Also unless you use an extremely fine bead cleaning tool to get it as smoothe as possible it will work like sand paper as it slides around the bracelet. Had that happen to the bangle bracelets i gave out to family for christmas so will be lining them from now on. Dont know if coating the inside of the bead with clear nailpolish or crazy glue will work or maybe a resin like stuff to protect the bracelet.

[jamief03]

The sharp edge thing make since. But if I do have to tumble the bracelet what do I tumble it in? Not sure what you mean by this. Thanks for your answers guys. I will
be sure to check my holes and edges.
j

[Renee]

You need a rotary tumbler and stainless steel shot ~

The tumbler I use is Lortone Model 3A. I got the Jewelry Tumbling Kit which comes with 1 lb of ss shot: http://www.lortone.com/tumblers.html