Caring for your Silver Jewellery
Although silver will not oxidize in the same way as iron or other metals i.e. rust, it will over the years begin to tarnish if left unprotected and unpolished. For this purpose we suggest a good polish cloth. If its really bad then the item may need to be professionally cleaned on a silver polishing rotor such as the one shown in the image. If its really bad then as a last option the item may need to be treated in a pickling solution.
What is Tarnish?
Tarnish is basically the reaction of silver to compounds of sulphur in the air. This reaction creates silver sulphide and is characterized by a dark grey to black colour. If left for many years it can only be removed by professional cleaning agents such as a high powered cleaning wheel. To avoid this tarnish we recommend that the silver is polished at regular intervals. For this purpose a silver polish cloth is ideal because it has the right balance of anti-sulphide agents impregnated in the cloth and such a polish cloth is available from this site.
How to Remove Scratches from Silver
For deep scratches we fear the only real method is one of various professional methods some of which may include rebuilding the affected area with a new layer of molten silver. Fine or surface scratches on the other hand to not need such drastic action. Instead you can buy a wax known as "jewellers rouge" which contains various chemical agents that also polish the silver at the same time. Professional jewellers will sometimes rub down the surface with very fine emery paper and then apply the surface to a polishing motor to restore the shine.