How To Care For Silver

Today we speak to our decorative art specialist Liza Hickey about how to care for your silver.

Whether you are a serious art and antiques collector with an extensive collection, or have just a few precious objects, or even someone with hand-me-downs from your family, we aim to provide insights on how best to preserve, store and maintain your valued collections. Stay tuned on the first Tuesday of each month for a new installment.

During our appraisal inspections, we often see improperly stored silver and silverplate tableware. Frequently, we come across silver that has been tightly covered in plastic wrap, often for years. This can be highly damaging to the surface of both sterling silver and silverplate pieces, leaving prominent marks that can be difficult or impossible to remove. The best way to store silver is by wrapping it in anti-tarnish cloth or acid-free tissue paper. A piece of chalk placed with the silver is also helpful to absorb moisture in the air.