Hello, fellow treasure hunters!
If you are reading this, chances are you share my deep love for the unusual, the quirky, and the downright gorgeous pieces of history we look after. There is something utterly magical about holding a solid silver piece that has survived through the decades—or even centuries—knowing it has its own story to tell.
But as any collector knows, old silver loves to show its age with a bit of tarnish. While a little patina gives an item its beautiful, authentic character, we still want our treasures looking bright and lovely.
Because these items are very old, modern, harsh chemical dips and aggressive scrubbing can do permanent damage. Today, I want to share a few gentle, time-tested secrets for keeping your silver shining, using a few of the wonderful treasures in the shop to show you how!
🌸 The Golden Rule: Handle with Love and Buff Gently
When it comes to beautiful, deeply engraved silver, less is always more. You never want to use abrasive cleaners that can wear away the crispness of a silversmith’s hard work.
Take, for instance, our Antique Silver Vesta Case from 1916 by the famous maker Joseph Gloster. It has the most spectacular front and back decoration of scrolling flowers. If you use a heavy paste polish on a piece like this, it can get trapped in those lovely, tiny crevices and dry into an unsightly white gunk.
- The Care Tip: For heavily detailed silver like this vesta, skip the liquids. Grab a high-quality, dry silver polishing cloth. Rub gently in straight, back-and-forth motions—not circles—following the lines of the pattern. The cloth is impregnated with just enough gentle cleaner to lift the tarnish while keeping those gorgeous, dark recesses defined, which makes the floral pattern pop beautifully!
🚢 Guarding Against the Elements: Beware of Salt!
Did you know that everyday items can be silver's worst enemy? Common culprits like eggs, vinegar, and especially salt contain elements that cause silver to oxidize and tarnish at lightning speed.
A perfect example is our amazing Antique Silver Viking Salt Dish by the renowned Norwegian maker Theodor Olsens Eftf. It is a wonderful, highly detailed piece shaped like a Viking ship, complete with dragon prows and little shields. Because it was used for its original purpose, it already sports some authentic salt marks to the interior.
- The Care Tip: If you choose to display or lightly use a historic piece like this, never leave salt sitting in it for long periods. Wash it immediately afterward in warm water with a tiny drop of mild, eco-friendly dish soap (never the dishwasher!). Dry it completely with a soft microfiber cloth right away, as lingering moisture is another trigger for tarnish.
🛡️ Mixed Materials: When Silver Meets Enamel or Pearl
Things get a little trickier when silver is paired with other delicate materials. You have to ensure that what cleans the silver doesn't hurt the rest of the piece!
Look at our stunning Victorian Miniature Silver Frame from 1899 featuring Lord Roberts. It is a beautiful little antique with a gorgeous guilloche enamel shamrock on either side, a glass front, and a delicate velvet backing. Or consider our Early Victorian Fruit Parer by George Unite, which pairs a stunning silver blade with carved mother-of-pearl.
- The Care Tip: Enamel can crack if exposed to extreme temperature changes, velvet can ruin if wet, and mother-of-pearl is natural and porous, meaning chemicals can dull its beautiful luster. For treasures like these, never submerge them in water or use "silver dips". Instead, use a cotton bud (Q-tip) wrapped slightly in your silver cloth to precisely polish only the metal parts, steering completely clear of the enamel, pearl, or fabric.
📦 A Final Word on Storing Your Treasures
When you aren't displaying or wearing your beautiful silver, the best way to prevent tarnish is to keep it away from the air. Storing your pieces individually in little airtight zip-lock bags with a small anti-tarnish strip works wonders. It stops them from scratching against one another and keeps them in that sparkling, pristine condition we love so much!
Do you have a favourite silver piece in your collection that needs a little TLC? Or perhaps you've spotted a new treasure on the site you have questions about? Please do feel free to reach out and ask—I am always happy to help!