| Antiques are always prized possessions - whether as | | | | silver in a showcase containing activated carbon, |
| family heirlooms, or as symbols of your own | | | | silver salts, tarnish-reducing paper or silica gel to keep |
| aesthetic taste and your power to purchase them. | | | | the humidity low without resorting to a dehumidifier. |
| Silver is one of the more durable materials in which | | | | 5. Do not put your silverware in the dishwasher. |
| antiques are available, but keeping these antiques in | | | | Instead, wash it by hand with phosphate-free soap, |
| their shining glory is still quite a daunting task. | | | | and wipe it dry without allowing water to evaporate |
| If you have recently laid your hands on a precious | | | | on its surface. This will keep it shiny and new, |
| antique silver artefact, make sure that only the most | | | | without developing spots or discoloration. |
| careful and expert people get to take care of it. | | | | 6. For silver vases or articles which are not used |
| Here are a few tips to help you choose the right | | | | regularly, a good polishing with tooth powder and a |
| people, and to take care of your regularly used silver | | | | soft cloth will restore its shine - even if it has |
| yourself - | | | | developed that familiar brassy tinge with age. |
| 1. Consult experts before choosing restorers. Shops | | | | 7. Silver jewelry should be worn regularly, to keep its |
| that sell antiques would be good to consult, while | | | | shine intact. Be careful with necklaces, though - some |
| museums will definitely know the experts in silver | | | | people find that silver tends to discolor on their necks |
| restoration. | | | | very quickly, especially in hot weather. Stick to |
| 2. Do not remove all engravings. Just as a life without | | | | wearing silver only in winters to prevent damaging |
| mistakes is a remarkably boring one, a silver artefact | | | | antique jewelry with repeated cleaning and blackening. |
| loses a part of its history if you remove important | | | | 8. Do not expose your silverware to too much salt, |
| engravings. If you do choose to remove engravings, | | | | as salt will corrode silver to an enormous degree. |
| check that the material is thick enough to permit it | | | | Silver salt shakers should be washed and dried very |
| without damage or distortion. Only an expert | | | | carefully whenever they are not being used. |
| silversmith should attempt engraving removal or | | | | Silver is remarkably low-maintenance compared to |
| re-engravings. | | | | other precious materials, so do not be afraid to use |
| 3. Aluminium tape - a thin layer of aluminium with a | | | | your antiques. As mentioned before, silver stays in |
| sticky backing - is perfect to repair damaged screw | | | | the best of conditions when used regularly - stowing |
| threads. Wrap a layer over the damaged thread, and | | | | it away will only result in stains due to humidity or |
| redefine the thread with your fingernail to make it | | | | other chemicals. Keep your silver polished and in good |
| more secure. | | | | condition, and they will definitely last you for a |
| 4. Store your silver in conditions of low humidity - | | | | lifetime and more. |
| 45% is the ideal humidity level. You can place your | | | | |