The shimmering silver that you carefully choose can tarnish over time due to interaction with sulphides. First, the tarnish will take on a golden hue and eventually, it could even turn the piece black. This is a natural process associated with humidity and air pollution. Which means, the more humid the climate is, the faster the sterling is likely to tarnish.
- Sterling silver can be polished by buffing it with soft cotton. A chemically treated cloth makes the job a lot easier and faster.
- Sterling Silver dips are fast and easy. However, care should be taken to ensure that the color and polish do not wear off the gemstones.
- When using silver dip, dip the piece quickly in and out of the dip. Then immediately rinse it in clean water.
When the piece dries, buff it with a soft cotton cloth. Buffing brings out more of the shine; helps take off any white residue left on the piece, and leaves a little bit of a protective anti-tarnish coating on the piece, to keep it shining longer.
However, a dip should only be used when buffing with a dry cloth doesn’t work.
However, a dip should only be used when buffing with a dry cloth doesn’t work.
- A tarnish shield or a similar Lacquer Shield will keep the silverware shining until the tarnish wears off. Pieces that are lacquered don’t age much, until all the lacquer has worn off. In areas where the lacquer has loosened from the sterling, but not worn off, the silver will tarnish, but you may not be able to buff it.
- If you use a dip to clean a piece that has a tarnish shield, the dip can seep inside the lacquer, leaving a residue wherever the lacquer wears off. If the piece is filigree, the lacquer will form a film within the openings or cracks. This can obviously make the piece unsightly.
- The simplest way is usually the best way. Get a clean, soft cloth and polish your silverware. It will be beautiful again!
