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Restoring and Caring For Your Antique Silver
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Antiques will always be prized possessions - whether as family heirlooms, or as symbols of your own aesthetic taste and your power to purchase them. Silver is among the stronger materials by which antiques can be found, but keeping these antiques within their shining glory is still a significant daunting task.
For those who have recently laid your hands on a precious antique silver artefact, make sure that only the most careful and expert people reach look after it. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right people, and also to take care of your regularly used silver yourself -
1. Consult experts before choosing restorers. Shops that sell antiques could be good to see, while museums will definitely be aware of experts in silver restoration.
2. Don't remove all engravings. Just as an existence without mistakes is really a remarkably boring one, a silver artefact loses part of its history if you remove important engravings. If you do decide to remove engravings, check that the material is thick enough allowing it without damage or distortion. Only an expert silversmith should attempt engraving removal or re-engravings.
Antique Silver
3. Aluminium tape - a skinny layer of aluminium with a sticky backing - is ideal to repair damaged screw threads. Wrap a layer within the damaged thread, and redefine the thread together with your fingernail to really make it more secure.
4. Store your silver in conditions of low humidity - 45% is the perfect humidity level. You can put your silver in a showcase containing activated carbon, silver salts, tarnish-reducing paper or silica gel to keep the humidity low without resorting to a dehumidifier.
5. Don't put your silverware in the dishwasher. Instead, wash it by hand with phosphate-free soap, and wipe it dry without allowing water to evaporate on its surface. This will keep it shiny and new, without developing spots or discoloration.
My Family Silver
6. For silver vases or articles which aren't used regularly, a great polishing with tooth powder and a soft cloth will restore its shine - even if it's developed that familiar brassy tinge with age.
7. Silver jewelry should be worn regularly, to help keep its shine intact. Be careful with necklaces, though - some people discover that silver has a tendency to discolor on their own necks quickly, particularly in warm weather. Stay with wearing silver only in winters to prevent damaging antique jewelry with repeated cleaning and blackening.
8. Don't expose your silverware to an excessive amount of salt, as salt will corrode silver to an enormous degree. Silver salt shakers ought to be washed and dried cautiously every time they are not getting used.
Silver is remarkably low-maintenance compared to other precious materials, so do not be afraid to apply your antiques. As mentioned before, silver stays in the better of conditions when used regularly - stowing it away will only result in stains because of humidity or any other chemicals. Keep the silver polished as well as in good condition, and they will definitely last for a lifetime and much more. (More)
