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The following copyrighted silver care information has been provided by Jeffrey Herman, Herman Silver
Restoration & Conservation. None of the below guide can be reproduced without written permission from
Jeffrey Herman, PO Box 72839, Providence,
RI 02970, 401/461-6840, jeffherman@silversmithing.com
Silver storage & display
All silver objects should be kept clean and free from dust and surface grime.
Tarnish need not be removed from an object before storing, for eliminating heavy blackened tarnish ultimately
reveals fresh sterling or fine silver
electroplate to be exposed to the elements. The formation of tarnish inside display cases can be kept to a
minimum by using water absorbing
desiccated silica gel to keep the relative humidity low. Choose a
silica gel canister that has a built-in
indicator that turns the gel from blue to
pink when saturated with moisture. This indicates it’s time to dry the canister in an oven. Be sure to
read the directions thoroughly,
silica must not be inhaled! Activated charcoal or similar commercial product will also remove tarnishing
gases. Certain paints, oils, and fabrics
within the case can accelerate the formation of tarnish. For this reason, it is best to seal the interior
wood surfaces with lacquer or polyurethane.
Latex paint can be used but should be allowed to dry for at least four months.
Tarnishing can be minimized during storage by placing individual silver objects inside polyethylene bags then
sealing the bags. It is best to first
wrap each piece with non-buffered tissue paper (acid-free and of archival quality) or soft, anti-tarnish tissue
to guard against changes in humidity
and to prevent transfer of harmful materials from the storage environment to the silver. Tarnish-absorbing
cloths such as Pacific Silvercloth™ are
also excellent for wrapping before placing the object in the polyethylene bag such as a Ziploc®. This fabric
is impregnated with microscopic particles
of silver that attract sulphur. In time, it will become saturated with tarnish-producing pollutants and will
be rendered useless. Another approach against
tarnish can be achieved by placing small containers of desiccated silica gel and activated charcoal inside the
bag.
Highly polished silver will mellow and develop a wonderful patina. This patina is made-up of very fine scratches,
which distinguishes this metal from all others.
Storing silver in newspaper or binding it with rubber bands will react with silver, causing deep discoloration
that may have to be professionally polished.
Cardboard boxes that aren’t archival have acids that will aggressively tarnish silver.
Do not store silver in plastic wrap! Plastic wraps can contain tarnish producing materials and may require
solvents to remove over extended periods.
To prevent scratches, we recommend that you store your
jewelry so that it isn't rubbing up against other articles, like in a loose drawer or jewelry box.
Avoid storing your sterling silver jewelry directly on wood surfaces,
because wood usually contains acids that can mar the finish.
3M Anti-Tarnish strips
3M Anti-Tarnish Strips can also be used to absorb tarnish-producing gases. The strips are made from a 45-lb.
paper containing activated charcoal.
They guard against corrosion, tarnish, and discoloration, not by emitting fumes or vapours, but by absorbing the
airborne pollutants that cause the problem.
Because it removes harmful chemicals from the air, rather than giving off gases of its own, objects containing
silver, copper, brass, solder, gold, and
tin are given excellent oxidation protection. Unlike similar products, the 3M absorbs on both sides of the strip.
Protection time depends on the nature and permeability of the storage container and on the pollution level of
the surrounding atmosphere.
For normal atmospheres, one 3M Anti-Tarnish Strip in a container will provide the following protection: loosely
sealed container (cardboard box,
china cabinet, and flatware chest): 6 months; moderately tight seal (lightweight polybag): 12 months; and those
containers with a tight seal (low
permeability polybag): up to 24 months. A 2"x7" strip will protect an area up to 422 cubic inches, the approximate
size of a flatware chest). The
strips should be replaced using the above guidelines, for once they are fully saturated with pollutants, the
strips themselves will become inactive.
Hydrosorbent silica gel
Since WWII, silica gel has been the desiccant (drying agent) of choice by government and industry. It has been
safe to use with even the most
sensitive materials including food and medicine–it’s what is used in those tiny packets to prevent moisture.
Hydrosorbent Silica Gel is in the form
of chemically inert, man-made granules containing thousands of tiny crevices which “drink up” excess humidity
from the air by surface adsorption.
It prevents condensation within enclosed areas that cause tarnish and corrosion. When used within enclosed storage
spaces, such as flatware
drawers and china cabinets, the Hydrosorbent canister creates a protective shield of dry air, working like a
dehumidifier. It’s best to make the
protected area as vapour-proof as possible.
When totally saturated with adsorbed moisture, the granules will turn from blue to pink, indicating it’s time
for drying. Reactivation is performed by
placing the canister in a conventional oven and can be re-used for a lifetime of protection. Provides additional
tarnish protection when used with
3M Anti-Tarnish Strips.
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