Does polishing antique silver decrease value?

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Because harsh polishing and buffing can permanently damage and devalue a piece of antique silver, valuable items are typically hand-polished to preserve the unique patinas of older pieces.

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On the antiques board they always say if its a food serving item it should be polished. Heavy tarnish should be removed from any silver item as it will damage the metal. Polishing it with a soft cloth doesn’t remove the patina, just the tarnish.

Beside this, What can I do with old tarnished silver?

Quickly restore your jewelry or tableware with vinegar, water and baking soda. This cleaning agent is a great option for many things including your tarnished silver. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of lukewarm water. Let the silver soak for two to three hours.

Likewise, How do you clean silver that has turned black?

Put the silver items in a bowl of appropriate size and cover them with white distilled vinegar. Add baking soda into the bowl – the approximate proportions are 4 tablespoons of baking soda for every cup of vinegar. Leave the silver in the mixture for 1 hour. Rinse with clean water and dry well with soft cotton cloth.

Also, How do you clean heavily tarnished antique silver?

The combination of a silver cleaning cloth and a solution of warm water combined with a mild detergent should do the trick when it comes to light tarnish. After working over the entirety of your silver piece, be sure to dry it thoroughly before storing away.

What do you do with Super tarnished silver?

– Line your sink with foil. …
– Pour boiling water into the sink. …
– Add 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup salt to the water. …
– Place silver pieces in the solution.
– Allow pieces to soak for up to 30 minutes.
– Remove items when cool and dry them off with a soft cloth.


17 Related Question Answers Found

 

How do you remove black tarnish from silver?

Quickly restore your jewelry or tableware with vinegar, water and baking soda. This cleaning agent is a great option for many things including your tarnished silver. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of lukewarm water. Let the silver soak for two to three hours.

Should I clean antique silver?

Most people agree that cleaning it is the proper thing to do. If left long enough it will eat the surface and leave pits. A quick way to clean silver is to use boiling water, baking soda, and a strip of aluminum foil.

How do you clean antique silver?

The combination of a silver cleaning cloth and a solution of warm water combined with a mild detergent should do the trick when it comes to light tarnish. After working over the entirety of your silver piece, be sure to dry it thoroughly before storing away.

Should antique silver be polished?

The patina on a piece is best judged on a piece that has been properly cleaned. Overpolishing can reduce both the patina and its marketability; while mechanical polishing can reduce the value in a collector’s eye. Silver should shine – always.

Does cleaning antique silver devalue it?

Because harsh polishing and buffing can permanently damage and devalue a piece of antique silver, valuable items are typically hand-polished to preserve the unique patinas of older pieces.

What is the best home remedy to clean silver?

Quickly restore your jewelry or tableware with vinegar, water and baking soda. This cleaning agent is a great option for many things including your tarnished silver. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of lukewarm water. Let the silver soak for two to three hours.

Can badly tarnished silver be cleaned?

Cleaning tarnished silver (even heavily tarnished pieces) can be achieved with a simple homemade solution, and you likely already have all the ingredients that you need. Cleaning silver with a combination of aluminum foil, baking soda, and salt does the trick for both small and large silver pieces.

Should antique silver be cleaned?

Most people agree that cleaning it is the proper thing to do. If left long enough it will eat the surface and leave pits. A quick way to clean silver is to use boiling water, baking soda, and a strip of aluminum foil.

Should I polish my silver before selling?

On the antiques board they always say if its a food serving item it should be polished. Heavy tarnish should be removed from any silver item as it will damage the metal. Polishing it with a soft cloth doesn’t remove the patina, just the tarnish.

How do you clean really old silver?

– Line your sink with foil. …
– Pour boiling water into the sink. …
– Add 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup salt to the water. …
– Place silver pieces in the solution.
– Allow pieces to soak for up to 30 minutes.
– Remove items when cool and dry them off with a soft cloth.

Is silver worth less when tarnished?

Tarnish does not affect the metal content of your silver product, but it can have a modest impact on the resale Value. Dealers and other buyers will often pay a bit less if the silver does not have its original luster.

Can tarnished silver be restored?

Quickly restore your jewelry or tableware with vinegar, water and baking soda. This cleaning agent is a great option for many things including your tarnished silver. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of lukewarm water. Let the silver soak for two to three hours.


Last Updated: 17 days ago – Co-authors : 13 – Users : 8

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