Cleaning and caring for silver can be tricky. The overlay is fragile, and you want to keep it looking as pristine as the day you bought it. Keep reading to discover a few excellent tips for cleaning and caring for glass with silver overlay.
The Best Way To Clean the Silver Overlay
The top way to clean glass with a silver overlay is to use a cream polish, water, and a soft cloth. Slowly clean the piece, then wipe it with a soft and dry cloth. Ensure it’s completely dry before storing the antique.
Why Does Silver Tarnish?
Most sterling silver collectors are familiar with seeing the brown or black tarnish. If you see silver marked with .925, that signifies that the silver piece meets the percentage for being standard silver, 92.5 percent. 100-percent pure silver would never tarnish, but the silver we buy is technically an alloy, which means the silver gets mixed with other metals, such as copper, to help stabilize it.
The other metals cause the piece to have a chemical reaction with the environment. These environmental factors include:
- Humidity: The more moisture is in the air, the faster the silver will tarnish.
- Chemicals: Any chemicals in your environment can speed up the tarnishing process. These chemicals include lotion, hairspray, and even food.
You can do your best to control the environment, but you’ll eventually need to clean the silver. You may not like the tarnished look, but it doesn’t harm your silver. Using appropriate cleaning techniques will keep your silver antiques sparkling for years.
You can rest assured that your glass with silver overlay will look great if you follow these care and cleaning tips. The next time you’re searching for a place to buy antique silver, try Nelson & Nelson Antiques. We have a vast antique selection ready for you to purchase.
