any thoughts on cleaning mother of pearl

[rat-tail]

Hi - hoping to pick the brains of an expert. I have some lovely georgian silver and mother of pearl fruit knives, but the mother of pearl has these reddish brown marks on them. Is there anyway of cleaning these out. What causes them, so one can prevent them forming in the first place. Also presume one would never wash mother of pearl in anything warmer than luke warm water.

Thanks Frank
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[admin]

I've noticed that flatware with wood, MOP, ivory or hollow metal handles often have their tangs made from a metal other than silver, a sensible saving of precious metal in an unseen part. If the stains you refer to are caused by rust or other oxidation leaching up from the interior, I doubt there is a solution. If they are caused by something else and are only on the surface, I've had a fair amount of success with silver polish and lots & lots of elbow grease.

Regards, Tom
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[rat-tail]

thanks Tom - I've a sneaking suspicion it's probably good old fashioned rust - Frank
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