“How do I clean my silver?”
First you may need to determined if your silver product is plated (usually with a material called Rhodium),or if it is pure silver (sometimes marked .999), sterling silver (.925 or “ster”), coin silver (.80 to .835 silver content), Pewter, or non tarnishing silver products like Argentium (.930 to .970 silver content).
Extreme Caution should be exercised if you use a commercial silver dip. Not only is it a toxic acid, many people have ruined their silver and silver looking jewelry with these types of products.
We recommend against using these types of products unless you have a thorough knowledge of metals and stones.
Normally, the "Shino" polishing cloth, Baking Soda, Baking powder, or a 3M Product called Tarni shield (which is a mild and forgiving, abrasive cream), will work well. Polishing silver can be a laborious task as many of you well know, and there aren’t many quick shortcuts.
Rhodium Plated Silver
Rhodium plated silver is usually very shiny with an almost mirror like finish to it and will not tarnish. These products will scratch and sometimes the plated finish is removed by the simple process of “trying” to remove the scratches.
Worn, Rhodium plated, silver will have the appearance of “pitting” or have a slight “ledge” near the edges of the piece where the rhodium has worn off and chemical and/or physical wear has occurred.
Typically if you feel the need to polish a Rhodium plated article, you would lightly wipe it with a polishing cloth. Other products will not affect the Rhodium although sometimes you can get an adverse reaction from silver dip products.
Silver flatware and serving dishes can be plated, as well as any type of silver jewelry.
.999 Silver
Close to the sheen of Rhodium plated products. This type of silver will usually tarnish to a golden color and any of the products listed can be used to remove the tarnish.
NOTE: Since polishing involves removing a small layer of material Coins should never be polished, you will loose a portion of the numismatic value as well as some of the silver.
Sterling or .925 Silver
Will have a duller, “dusty” look and typically tarnishes black. The commercial silver dips work the fastest, but again are the riskiest to use. Polishing cloths or the Tarni Shield also work well.
Coin Silver
Typically duller than sterling with a grayish patina. Nothing works very well on coin silver. Baking Soda paste is your best bet and it will not polish to a high sheen no matter what you do.
Many filigree products, especially earrings and pendants, are coin silver.
Pewter
This is a tin based metal that can contain lead or can be lead free. Pewter usually isn’t marked and can have the appearance of a dull pithy metal to a high sheen silver metal. Acid dips will literally “eat” pewter and most polishing techniques will not work. Baking Soda Paste can improve the appearance.
Argentium Silver
Bright and shiny, similar to .999 silver. May get a slight yellowish tarnish and can be removed easily with a polishing cloth.