How to clean Iron Cross and Knight's Cross frames. Please help.

[Gernika81]

Please, could anybody tell me which product can be used to clean the frame of the iron crosses and Ritterkreuz when they darken? I don't want to damage them using any chemical product or item which could scratch or destroy them. I have a big collection of iron crosses and a Ritterkreuz, and some of them are quite dark after displaying them in my cabinet for years. Some of the frames are made of silver, others are not. Your advice? I have asked myself this for years...

[rbminis]

I would recommend leaving them the way they are. Anything that you use to clean them will inevitably get into the beading and will be difficult to remove properly.
JMHO,
Ralph.

[CWP]

I agree that it is better to leave them alone.

[Gernika81]

So better darkened than shiny? Pity

[CWP]

Brand new shiny reproductions are widely available.

[Larry Dickson]

I, too have learned that lesson.
They still look good.

[BROBS]

to prevent this from happening couldn't you use renaissance wax?

it will also slightly brighten darkened surfaces.