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I have an antique bronze ring which is black in colour. How can I clean it and what colour will it be after?

8 months ago
And do you know what colour it'll be afterwards?

I guess that brasso would work, but I'd quite like to know what colour it'll be before I wipe off 1800 years of build up!

Bronze is a very soft metal and most pieces have a laquer finish, so extra care must be used when cleaning them.
Do not use heavy abrasives to clean bronze, or most metal pieces.
A good household general-purpose bronze cleaner can be created. Use salt, vinegar, and flour. Dissolve 1teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste. Apply the paste to the bronze and let sit for 15 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse with clean, warm water, and polish dry.
Polish with copper polish followed by glass wax. If a high polish is required dip a cloth into liquid wax and apply to the piece. When the piece is dry, buff lightly to a high gloss. This wax treatment also may be given to bronze pieces that are kept outdoors. Weathered bronze usually darkens; however, this is natural and does not harm the piece.
When clean, the color of bronze looks like brass only darker.