Silver cutlery
Tarnish is a chemical reaction with sulphur in the air, and every removal of it takes metal with it. On plate, that is a countdown.
Start here
What this is, what tends to go wrong with it, and what to do about it.
Made from
What tends to go wrong
Unlike a stain, tarnish is made of the very surface it sits on. Removing it always removes metal.
Why it is difficult: Coating thickness
What hard water leaves behind when it evaporates instead of being wiped away. A mineral film, not dirt, and the fix is at the drying stage.
Why it is difficult: Water hardness, Evaporative deposition
The science behind this: Polishing removes metal, Coating thickness
In detail
Silver tarnishes because sulphur compounds in the air react with it to form silver sulphide, a dark film. It is a chemical change in the metal rather than a soil deposited on it, which is why nothing that lifts dirt touches it. Removing tarnish therefore means removing the sulphide, and every method that does so removes some silver at the same time. The conservation guidance is explicit that polishing removes metal, that silver plate carries a finite thickness over a base metal, and that frequency should be minimised for exactly that reason — a plated fork polished monthly has a predictable life. Sterling silver is solid and far more forgiving, though repeated polishing still softens engraving. Two consequences follow. Prevention beats treatment: tarnish-inhibiting storage, dryness and less handling all slow a reaction that needs sulphur and moisture. And salt, egg and mayonnaise are among the foods that cause it, so cutlery used with them is washed and dried promptly.
Related
- Silver cutlery is made from Sterling silver
- Silver cutlery is made from Silver plate
- Silver cutlery is commonly affected by Tarnish
- Silver cutlery is commonly affected by Water marks
Sources for this page
Sources
Caring for your collections: Silver and plate
The Institute of Conservation (Icon) · Trade or professional body
Relied on for: That tarnish is a reaction with sulphur compounds, that polishing removes metal, and that abrasive cleaners wear away silver and engraving over time. (states this directly)
Conservation Information Sheet: Looking after silver
Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences (MAAS), via Museums & Galleries of NSW · Trade or professional body
Relied on for: That storage conditions and handling affect the rate of tarnishing and that preventive care reduces the need for polishing. (states this directly)