cleaning silver

[alorotom]

as there isnt a jewellery specific forum I figured this was the closest area!

I have bought my OH a vintage late 1800s solid silver Tiffany Cuff for her birthday, clearly its tarnished and scratched - I am in debate on what to do next

Happy to try and clean it myself but also happy to pay a professional to sort it. I have seen loads online about using the method with alu foil. baking soda and boiling water but dont want to make anything worse, plus im not sure its a legit method!

any hints/tips/likely expected costs to have it done professionally, and would it look "brand new" if this latter route was used?

[Spaceman2001]

Modern silver pieces the alu foil and baking soda works a treat.

On something vintage I'd be more inclined to let an expert clean it. You don't want to fry it and have old repairs show up etc.

Spaceman

[Spaceman2001]

Modern silver pieces the alu foil and baking soda works a treat.

On something vintage I'd be more inclined to let an expert clean it. You don't want to fry it and have old repairs show up etc.

Spaceman

[alorotom]

Hadn't even thought about that happening, great point gladly received

[DJMC]

Having investigated this to refurb a silver plated saxophone I discovered that the best thing to use (if possible) is a silver cloth as this isn't abrasive like some liquid or wadding methods.

The best silver cloth is from Dennis Wick: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denis-Wick-Silver-Polish...


For those with silver plated items...

To immersion plate areas of brass, the best immersion plating liquid is from H S Walsh: https://www.hswalsh.com/product/silver-solution-1x...


If storing solid or plated items, use activated charcoal granules inside a suitable cloth bag (I used a white cotton polishing glove, bound at the wrist) and store this in a sealed container with the silver item. It greatly reduces future tarnishing.

Hope that helps?

[ecain63]

As a goldsmith / silversmith I do this daily. Post a pic and I'll take a look.

[alorotom]

ecain63 said:

As a goldsmith / silversmith I do this daily. Post a pic and I'll take a look.

Appreciated, I'll post up a pic when it arrives (hopefully tomorrow!)

[DJMC]

ecain63 said:

As a goldsmith / silversmith I do this daily. Post a pic and I'll take a look.

Do you do silver re-plating too, or recommend a suitable electro-plater?

[ecain63]

DJMC said:

Do you do silver re-plating too, or recommend a suitable electro-plater?

I do silver plating but I'm limited by the size of the item. I can't do silver serving sets if that's what you are looking for. Rings, chains, brooches, small pots etc. Nothing bigger than a cup.

[alorotom]

Well it arrived and was clearly not legit, no markings (maker or hall) so it's being returned

Back to the drawing board!!

Thanks all for the input!

[ecain63]

woops!