Does polishing silver decrease value?

Tarnished or polished are not states of value except when talking marketability. The maker, style, period, finess of make, wear, damage all affect value. Salability is often influenced by the surface condition. The patina on a piece is best judged on a piece that has been properly cleaned.

Should silver be polished?

That’s why the silver polishing must be done. It takes time, but when it’s gleaming on your table during the holidays, it’s all worth it. It’s widely recommended that you polish your silver three to five days in advance of when you need to use it.

How much does it cost to have silver polished?

Basic polishing (like the spoon above) is only $8 per piece. Re-applying the factory-applied patina is an additional $4.

Is it good to clean old silver?

For routine care, a quick wash in soapy water can be a sufficient way to keep silver shiny. Mix a few drops of mild dishwashing soap in warm water and gently wash silver pieces. Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. In between cleanings, store silver in a cool, dry place to prevent excess tarnish.

Can I sell tarnished silver?

If you have silver-plated serving dishes, candelabras or other items that are not sterling, you can try to sell them for a melt price, or sell them as antique or vintage estate items to a local pawn shop, consignment store or online through ebay or Facebook Marketplace.

How do I sell my silver platter?

Private buyers and collectors give good prices. Find their ads in newspapers or online. Make the best profit by selling your silver yourself, after enough research. Place an ad online or sell through an auction site like eBay….Dealing with buyers

1. Ask around.
2. Check the Yellow Pages.
3. Get on the phone.

Why does silver need to be polished?

Polishing silver is done to remove tarnish and shine silver pieces and should only be done a few times in the lifetime of a piece. This is because every time silver is polished, metal is removed from the piece.

Are silver trays worth anything?

Antique Sterling Silver Trays are not only beautiful and a classic accessory to your home, but they can actually be very valuable at auction. If your tray doesn’t have handles, you may have what is called a Salver, which are very rare as most of them perished in the English Civil War.

Do you wash silver after polishing?

Polishing silver once a year should be enough to keep it in good condition. If once a year doesn’t satisfy your cleaning compulsion, an easy way to maintain the shine of your silver is to wash it with good old water. You can safely do this as often as 2-6 times in a year.

How do you shine silver?

For silver that is heavily tarnished, mix a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Wet the silver and apply the cleaner with a soft, lint-free cloth (not paper towels). Work the paste into the crevices, turning the cloth as it gets gray. Rinse and buff dry.

How do you clean heavily tarnished silver?

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Scoop the paste onto the sponge, and rub the paste into the silver. Rinse with hot water and polish dry with a soft, clean cloth. For badly tarnished silver, leave the baking soda paste on the silver for an hour or so, before cleaning off with the help of the sponge and hot water.

How to clean silver with baking soda?

Method 1 of 3: Creating the Aluminum Bath. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Pick a baking pan big enough to hold all the silver pieces you’re cleaning.

Method 2 of 3: Soaking Your Silver. Add the silver to your pan.

Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Common Mistakes. Do not use this method on other types of silver.

How to clean silver with aluminum foil?

Pour 1 cup of warm water into a 1-qt. glass or ceramic container.

Add a 3-inch-square piece of aluminum foil.

Submerge the silver that you want to clean so that it weighs down the foil. Make sure both the silver and the foil are completely underwater.

Remove the silver and rinse it in clear water.

How to clean silver?

First,line the bowl with the aluminum foil.

Next,fill the aluminum-lined bowl with boiling water and laundry detergent; you should use one tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent. Make sure

Then add the piece of silver to the water-baking soda solution,making sure it’s touching the aluminum foil (this ensures the chemical reaction

Let it sit anywhere from one to two minutes.

Finally,remove the piece (s) of silver from the solution and let it air dry.