Care Of Silver
Cleaning Silver Jewellery
Most serious collectors of sterling silver jewellery prefer that it be darker, rather than the bright shine usually seen on new silver pieces. The natural darkening of the old silver is referred to as patina, and is considered very desirable, as it shows the detail of the workmanship, with darker patina in the low or engraved areas and more shine and luster on the high areas.
Some people simply wear it, and that creates the look they like, especially with necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. If silver is worn constantly and washed as a natural consequence of wearing it acquires a soft silver-grey shine. The recessed areas stay dark, but tarnish is worn away on the high areas, creating sensational relief.
Jewellery cloths can be used to clean excessively tarnished or soiled silver. These Silver cloths won't damage the silver. A very soft toothbrush soaked in warm soapy water can be used to get into crevices and gently buff the piece.
If you choose to use a silver polish, do not use a harsh dipping solution. Use just a dab of a gentle paste polish. Try not to get the paste into grooves or crevices. You don't want to remove the darker colour from the etched portions, as then you will not see the beautiful contrast and relief. Plus, there is nothing uglier than over-polished silver with paste polish still filling all the grooves. If you happen to find a piece of silver which has been cleaned in this fashion, with caked old silver polish stuck in the crevices, you can soak the piece in warm water to loosen the old polish for easy removal.
The best solution for cleaning silver is to wear it all the time - while exercising and gardening and working in your office, while bathing or showering or swimming. This will make your sterling pieces incredibly rich-looking and lustrous.
If you are a person who likes bright shiny silver, just be careful with your polish and avoid dip solutions. You don't want to damage the surface fine pieces. And keep in mind that if you ever decide to sell your silver, the buyers will usually want original-looking patina.