Sterling Silver Care Guide (Instead of Polishing)

[CDFS]

This cleans better due to the Star shape:

 

[Bounder]



The problem with POLISHING silver is that you are actually removing the very top layer of silver. The process I have described minimizes this by turning the silver that's in the silver oxide (tarnish) back into elemental silver. I have a polishing cloth from *Fire and Ice* which I use lightly to get the final sheen. It's a night/day difference in effort and result.

Do you think this method would also work with warm water? I assume you would have to leave it sit longer. There are some fairly intricate pieces of plate that the butler is always grousing about. I am not sure how they would react to the thermal stress of boiling.

But this is really great and I am going to boil my cuff links as soon as I get home!

 

[Fred G. Unn]

Does no one here use these?
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Silver-Protect-Strip-Protector/dp/B003LDL8SG
I think these are great! They keep a couple of cubic feet around them from tarnishing very much. I keep them in our silver flatware chest at home and swap 'em out every 6 months.
Fred

 

[ThinkDerm]

cool links!

 

[Kent Wang]

Quote:

(1) Have tried this on a .925 pair with a stone inlay. No problemo.

What stone was it? They are a diverse bunch and I would be careful with some of them.

 

[ThinkDerm]



Quote:

What stone was it? They are a diverse bunch and I would be careful with some of them.

agreed!

 

[Fred H.]

Stone mosaic. Various small pieces. Will post photos in a day or two. Agree that I wouldn't risk most stones.

 

[Holdfast]

That's a neat bit of applied chemistry. I think I saw this tip on an episode of How Clean is your House once, too. Are you Kim or Aggie, Fred?

 

[Fred H.]

Hmmm... Probably Aggie, but THINK I'm Kim. How's that for a guess?

 

[Fred H.]



Does no one here use these?
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Silver-Protect-Strip-Protector/dp/B003LDL8SG
I think these are great! They keep a couple of cubic feet around them from tarnishing very much. I keep them in our silver flatware chest at home and swap 'em out every 6 months.
Fred

Haven't tried those, but check out these ziplock bags (10 for $4.99). Excellent reviews; mostly five stars.



Amazon Link

 

[Fred H.]



This cleans better due to the Star shape:

What's the source on this, please? (Can't find it easily.)

 

[CDFS]

It's the Silverstar I once worked a summer at Mc.D. and when I came home around three A.M. the commercial was on, most nights.

I am joking, it's al electrochemistry.

 

[apropos]

From a reliable source: http://www.silversmithing.com/care.htm

TLDR version: the electrochemical method is good for light tarnish, but not so good for heavy tarnish. May scratch silver or pit it if you are not careful. Does not discriminate between factory applied patina and plain tarnish - e.g. OP's GJ pieces. And NEVER EVER use toothpaste.

 

[Fred H.]

Thanks for the link and the info. I've had tremendous success with my methods, but understand the issues discussed. In my experience it IS possible to remove heavy tarnish AND I have never lost the factory applied "tarnish" (color) on things such as WWII wings. -- Fred H.

 

[apropos]

Oh, I agree you did a great job cleaning your pieces! Didn't mean to imply otherwise.

I was referring to the loss of tarnish in the 'valleys' between the silver wires in your GJ tie clip - IMO having the black outline the silver aids in highlighting the elegance of the design, and IMO again is one of the charms (and thus the point) of getting something in silver. No worries though, I'm sure it'll return in time.

BTW, have you used anything on your silver pieces to keep them from tarnishing?