THE POLISHING CLOTH: This is easiest method to clean light tarnish, on uncomplicated pieces. These specialty clothes can be found at jewelry supply stores and are saturated with a special polishing compound. They are quite effective and are safe for all stones. This is an especially good choice if the piece has a raised pattern or motif and an oxidized/patina background that you don't want to disturb.

 

SILVER CLEANING PASTE: This can be a good solution if you have stubborn tarnish and delicate stones you wish to protect as you can readily control where the polish goes. I find it works best if left to sit a minute or two before scrubbing or rubbing, as the case may be. A soft toothbrush can be useful. Once finished, be sure to rince several times with warm water and dry well with a soft, clean cotton cloth.

 

SILVER DIPS: There are jewelry cleaning dips. These are fast and easy but should be used with great caution and not with delicate stones or pearls. When in doubt use one of the other, less intrusive methods. Be very careful to not leave the piece in the solution for longer than the manufacturer recommends. I would even suggest doing a check at a mid-way point to verify that the solution isn't attacking more than just the patina. If left in too long, the metal can become pitted. Be sure to rince the piece in warm water when you are finished and dry well with a soft cotton cloth. NOT to be used on pieces with patina detailing as the dip will remove a good deal of it

 

.ALUMINUM/BAKING SODA WATER BATH: This old household recipe really is one of the best solutions and it is safe for use with almost all stones. It is quick, effective even for bad tarnish and gets into all the crooks and crannies. Again, to be avoided on plated jewelry or if you have patina-ed areas you wish to keep:Choose a bowl or a dish that is deep enough for your piece/s to fit in comfortable and line it with aluminum foil, with shiny side up. Heat some water,- enough to cover your pieces, so that it is very hot but not boiling (boiling water could damge stones via thermal shock). Sprinkle in some baking soda and some salt,

 

Here is a 1 cup recipe (double or triple if needed so that you have enough liquid to cover all of your silver in the bottom of your bowl);

1. One cup very hot water

2. Enough aluminum foil to cover the bottom of your bowl

3. One tablespoon of baking soda

4. One tablespoon table salt

 

Put a little water, salt and baking soda into the bowl and stir them to dissolve. Rapidly, place your silver pieces in the bottom of the bowl so they are in contact with the foil. Add the rest of the very hot water; swirl. The mixture of baking soda, hot water, and aluminum foil may cause a foaming chemical reaction. Let the items soak for a few minutes. You may need to turn the pieces over so that the other side comes into contact with the aluminum foil (you may want to use tongs). For tougher tarnish problems you may need to let the piece soak 20 minutes or more, or even add a new piece of aluminum foil. Once the piece is clean, rinse the piece well in warm water and dry with a soft, clean cotton cloth. Leave the piece to air dry a few minutes more before storing.

 

NOTE: There is an alternate recipe which adds 1/2 cup of white vinegar to this solution but I would only use this version with caution (to be avoided if possible if there are stones present) and NEVER with pearls, opals, turquoise or coral. Vinegar will dissolve pearls ! But the vinegar recipe solution could be just the thing if the piece is entirely sterling silver (no stones, enamels etc.) and is badly tarnished, or there is a deep texture present, which is notoriously hard to clean.

 

All in all, it is best to avoid  the bother and hastle by doing your best to avoid tarnish from forming in the first place,by wiping or light washing your silver jewelry after wearing and storing them in a tarnish-resistant environment. For more information see my last blog post: Jewelry Education - Caring For Silver Jewelry.

 

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