Antique Silver  part 2 part 1

by Sarah Manners 

Caring for your Silver
Looking after antiques is the most important part in owning them. They need to be taken care of properly to ensure that they remain valuable, attractive and collectable. Whether your silver is modern or antique it is very important to take proper care of it as it's value and beauty are prized. Always maintain your silver with a non-abrasive cleaner. Every time you buff and polish you remove a fine layer. Over the years such treatment removes hallmarks and eventually removes the silver plated surface. Museums use an electrolytic process which is quite harmless. These are available for domestic use and remove tarnish in seconds.

Tarnishing (oxidization) occurs when silver is exposed to the air. Items that are not for display like cutlery can be kept airtight in a drawer wrapped in a cloth - otherwise they will need cleaning each time you use them.

Storing Silver
When storing silver the best way to keep it safe from harmful sulphur in the air is to seal it in an air tight container. This said it is not always practical to store your pieces in such containers. In cases like this a sachet containing activated charcoal can help to reduce tarnishing significantly. Activated charcoal is effectively an air scrubber which removes pollutants like sulphur from the air around your silver. It is also a good idea to keep a bag of activated charcoal in your display cases or jewelry box. Charcoal can only absorb a certain amount of sulphur before it becomes ineffective so sachets must be replaced at least once a year. After prolonged storage, your silver will need to be cleaned, but if stored correctly it will be a far less daunting task. Don't use ordinary newspaper to wrap the silver or use elastic bands to bind several pieces together. After a while the rubber will bond to the silver as the band deteriorates and rots, leaving a stain, as will newspaper. Instead, use acid-free paper to wrap items and store where it's not damp.

Appreciating your Silver
To ensure that your items of silver remain in the best possible condition whether they are antique or modern pieces it is imperative that they are cleaned and stored correctly. Silver crafts are valued works of art that should be treasured. Hold on to pieces of silver and treat them well, it will only add to their value in later years.


About the Author
Caring for your antiques is the most important part in owning them but this doesn't need to be as hard as it sounds. The Qwicksilver company have patented a non-abrasive electrolytic cleaning plate that quickly removes tarnish under water in your sink. They also offer advice on proper care of your antiques.