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How to Care for Sterling Silver

Posted By: david | Posted On: 2008-09-20 | Article ID: 96139

Items made of sterling silver are precious. Whether it's a family heirloom or a gift from a special person, a sterling silver piece is to be treasured. Here are some tips to keep sterling silver looking like new.

If the piece has been sitting on a shelf for an extended period of time, wash and dry it first to remove the dust. Make sure you remove the dust from all the nooks and crannies found inside the piece and out. Now it is ready for polishing.

The main damage to silver is actually not to the silver itself but to the copper or other alloys used to strengthen the silver. An example of this is sterling silver salt shakers that are easily corroded by the table salt within them.

For years, people have polished their sterling silver pieces with a simple paste made of baking soda and water. There are also many commercially made pastes that tend to work well to remove tarnish. In either case it is important to wear rubber gloves in order to protect your skin.

There are many newer products that claim to make the polishing process quicker and easier, however they are not recommended by sterling silver manufacturers. These products include dips and electrolyte polishes, which can make the silver dull or white, thus affecting their value.

Follow the directions on the polish packaging or alternatively apply the polish with a dry, soft cloth. Unlike when polishing a car, do rub in circles instead of using lengthwise strokes. Rub very gently in order to not ruin the finish of the piece.

Many sterling silver pieces have fine lines and crevices so it takes creativity to clean these parts. For example, the inside tines of a fork can be cleaned by passing a piece of string coated with polish between them. A small, soft toothbrush can be used to clean delicate filigree.

Once all surfaces of the piece have been carefully polished, it is important to wash and rinse it and then carefully dry it with another soft cloth, such as a chamois.

After all the hard work of cleaning and polishing is done, it is important to protect the piece by storing it properly. Wrap it carefully in tarnish-preventing fabric – perhaps the fabric in which the piece was shipped. Don't use newspaper or plastic wrap or simply leave the piece exposed for extended periods of time as it could be damaged. In addition, as tempting as it may be, don't use rubber bands to hold the fabric in place. Even through many layers of fabric, the bands can stain the piece.

If a sterling-silver item is heavily tarnished or corroded, a professional jeweler or silver repair company may be able to restore it. Because of the value of the piece, it is important to consult a reputable company that has been in business for many years. Ask to see samples of the company's work and find out if it is a member of a professional silversmith's organization.

Caring for sterling silver items can be intimidating at first. But by following a few simple steps, the piece will last for years to come.

 

Article Source: http://www.articlecell.com

About The Author
david
925SILVER4U.com is an online silver jewelry wholesale store. They have a large range of sterling silver jewelery available at reasonable and economical prices. Their collection includes Sterling Silver Rings, Pendants, Earrings, Chains, Bracelets, and more.



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