With sterling prices soaring over $50 an ounce, I know it is tempting to sell it! But ... silver is timeless and it adds elegance to a dinner party or holiday. A nice sterling piece is also a great item to hand down to the kids (trust me— they do not want our furniture or much of anything that we think is cool!) some day, a new family heirloom so to speak. On the other hand, silver tarnishes and is a pain to keep clean. So, next Thanksgiving when it’s time to unearth the silver, try this:
Remove dust and oils from your hands by washing your pieces with soap and water. Do not put them in the dishwasher, as dishwashing detergent is extremely corrosive. When our silver is tarnished, we use Goddard’s Silver Foam (use gloves) as it is low-abrasive and doesn't require a lot of scrubbing. Have a small area of tarnish on a silver item? Rub your thumb over it until the spot disappears. Your thumb will be dirty, but your silver will look good!
Sulfur and humidity, which are hard to avoid, are the main causes of tarnish. I have selflessly offered to relocate to Palm Springs to prevent this widespread tarnishing crisis, but my husband is not on the same page. So, in the meantime, if you are like me and don’t care for the “antiqued-look” of tarnish, the best way to prevent it is to use it! Using your pieces regularly and hand washing after each use will keep your pieces tarnish-free and your family will feel like they are eating Thursday night meatloaf at the Royal wedding! Store flatware in it’s chest (these chests are lined with anti-tarnish materials) and PLEASE do not wrap flatware in plastic and rubber-band them together. Over time this can cause near permanent damage that only a professional can repair.
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One of my favorite collections are my antique silver napkin rings. I have several figural napkin rings (some sterling, some silver plated), mainly animals, and many with names and dates from the late 1800's. Are silver napkin rings all the rage of the new millennium? Well, no ... However, during the 19th Century, every modest to affluent Victorian would not be caught without a well dressed table on display for a dinner party! Pretty figural napkin rings were used for lady guests, animals figures for children and more masculine designs were reserved for men. These rings were not only attractive, but practical as well. During these pre-Purell days, they were used to identify which napkin belonged to which guests, aiding in the prevention of germs and illness.
While exceptional sterling silver examples can fetch $2000-$3000, most sell in the $50-$200 range.
