Silver Tarnish Does More Than Dull Owner's Joy: Thick Film Could Obscure Maker's Markings, Damage

If there’s one thing everybody knows about silver, it’s that it tarnishes. Tarnish is a film that forms on the surface of any object made of or plated with silver, as a result of a chemical interaction that occurs when the silver comes into contact with elements in the air.

“Is tarnish bad for your silver candlesticks? Not really,” said Jack Levenson, co-owner of The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest, an Orange County jewelry store specializing in Previously Enjoyed and unique items. “But is it nice to look at? No.” When a silver item is tarnished, it has a dull, grimy appearance rather than the soft luster silver is famous for.

The luster loss isn’t the only problem tarnish can cause. Thick coats of tarnish can obscure the maker’s markings on silver hollowware, potentially leaving the owner unaware of the true value of the item they have. This is particularly true on older silver items which may have gone unpolished for decades.

“You never know,” Christine Anzell, co-owner, said. “People find things at garage sales, or in storage lockers, and sometimes they’re real treasures. It can pay to find out what you’ve got.”

If you’re curious about the origin and value of your silver pieces – whether they’re family heirlooms or treasures you’ve come across during a shopping excursion – you’ll want to know about the Silver Restoration and Repair event being hosted by The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest on Tuesday March 3rd and Wednesday March 4th. During this event, DaNeen Bryan, a silver restoration expert, will be offering expert silver cleaning services at a discounted rate. You can have your silver jewelry cleaned, as well as silver tea and coffee services, platters and serving dishes, flatware, candlesticks and more, all while saving 20%. Silver plate items can also be replated to all their shining glory during this event – a treatment that is guaranteed to last at least 25 years.

“Getting the tarnish out of the way can be the first step in understanding what you really have,” Levenson explained. “Sometimes the tarnish removal reveals some underlying damage or condition issues with your piece. Because DaNeen is a silver restoration and repair expert, you’ll have someone who’s able to give you an objective assessment of what your options are and whether or not it’s worth it to have the piece repaired or missing parts replaced.

The transformations are absolutely amazing: you’ll see a piece of silver that looks like it’s been forgotten in a cupboard somewhere since the dawn of time when it comes in, and when it is returned, it’s dazzling and beautiful.” Appointments aren’t required for the Silver Restoration and Repair event; just visit The Jewelry Box of Lake Forest, located at 21771 Lake Forest Dr, #109, on March 3rd or 4th.