Before you clean, know your metal. In the U.S. today, there are three basic metal alloys known as “silver.”: sterling silver, German silver and silver plate. You don’t clean all of them the same way. In fact, one needs virtually no cleaning.
Silver is used frequently on tack and jewelry, items you really want to shine in the show ring or to just show off. To keep yours brilliant, here’s a brief rundown on the composition of silver alloys and how to clean them.
(Sterling silver) is actually a government standard. To earn the designation “sterling,” the metal must contain at least 92.5 percent silver. It tarnishes over time, requiring a regular polish to restore its luster.
German silver is a trade name and a term that came into use years ago among German silversmiths for their nickel alloys. Also called nickel silver, it’s the most inexpensive metal of the three types and tarnishes more quickly than sterling.
Silver plate 99.9 percent pure silver, coated or “plated” over a base metal, that may be copper, brass or bronze, depending on the how the silversmith plans to use it. To prevent tarnish, many silversmiths then plate the silver with another substance, such as a lacquer. Despite this final outer coating, most lacquer will yellow over time. One company, Montana Silversmiths, found a way to prevent the yellowing. Using a patented procedure and material, company silversmiths plate their silver with “Montana armor,” a substance the company claims is about 64 times more wear resistant than lacquer. In fact, it’s so durable, the company warrants its silver plate for life. It’s used on tack and jewelry for an exclusive number of companies.
Native American Jewelery is one of the most well know examples of silver jewelery
