Sterling Silver's Appearance

The beauty of sterling silver increases with wear, which induces a patina or soft sheen layer to form. Plated silver is silver that has been electroplated over another metal. Rusting occurs more quickly in damp and foggy weather, but is inevitable in any climate. Store in treated paper or cloth, or plastic film. The effort and cost which you incur in cleaning your sterling silver should be determined firstly by the value placed on it, whether monetary or sentimental, & secondly, the depth of detail carved into the silver. Silver with deeply engraved patterns that are enhanced by an oxide or French gray finish should be hand-polished with a high quality silver cream or polish.

Hand rubbing develops a patina layer which adds to its beauty. Ornamental silver accessories that are lacquered must be washed in lukewarm water instead of hot water , as hot water could potentially cause damage or erosion of the lacquer. Polishing silver while wearing rubber gloves promotes tarnish. Instead, choose plastic or cotton gloves.

Silver is vulnerable to certain reagents. Rubber is one material which can cause severe corrosion to silver. The damage can become so serious that only a silversmith can repair the damage, albeit with a severe wasteful loss of silver mass. Embossed designs are beyond help, and will be lost permanently. Storage cabinets with rubber seals, rubber floor coverings and rubber bands are strict no-nos.

Other deadly enemies of silver include table salt, olives, salad dressing, eggs, vinegar and fruit juices. Essentially anything which contains food acids. Serve acidic foods in china or glass containers. Although flowers and fruitlook lovely in silverware, the natural acids produced as they decay can etch the containers and cause serious damage. When using silver containers, use paper protective liners.

Baking Soda and Toothpaste: Using toothpaste, coat the silver layer with toothpaste, then rinse it under lukewarm water, work it into a foam, then rinse it off. For hard stains and intricate grooves unreachable by hand, use an old soft-bristled toothbrush.

For Baking Soda, create a paste of baking soda and water. Rub, rinse off, and polish dry with a non-abrasive cloth. To remove corrosion from silverware, sprinkle baking soda on a wet cloth and rub it on the silverware until tarnish fades. Rinse and dry well.

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This writer is an experienced Texan craftsman with 8 years of jewelry craftsmanship experience. He does both jewelry craft and fashion analysis. To learn more about David Yurman, bootlegs, inspired alternatives and other challenges facing the brand, visit cross Pendants

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