Owning Gorham sterling silver pieces in your collection is something to be proud of. The quality and beauty of this prestigious manufacturer has never depreciated over time. Maintaining its elegance with proper care should be done regularly to prevent deterioration and tarnishing.
Gorham silver makes wonderful sterling silver flatware and hollowware; one of the most impressive collections that have inspired people is their tea sets. They were designed with many beautiful details; in fact, one of the designs became part of history. Mary Todd Lincoln had purchased an impressive tea set that was used in the White House in 1859. The tea service was presented to the National Museum of American History. That’s how valuable a Gorham piece is; so it deserves proper cleaning to maintain its beauty.
A properly maintained sterling silver collection will always be a source of enjoyment. This article will provide you with the different tips on how to clean sterling silver tea sets and other silver pieces.
A common problem with Gorham sterling silver or any other fine piece of silver is tarnishing. This is caused by contact with sulfur compounds in the air. Also aggravated by wool, felt, fossil fuels, rubber bands. latex gloves and even foods like eggs, onions and mayonnaise. Tarnishing occurs rapidly in a humid environment. Even oily salts from your fingers can cause a pattern of corrosion that must be professionally removed.
When washing a piece of silver, you must be careful and make sure to dry it immediately. You can use a phosphate-free detergent with no lemon scent and a soft cotton kitchen towel to dry it. While washing, do not allow parts to come into contact with the metal sink as this will cause scratches.
Once you’ve noticed a yellowish tinge, you should be alarmed that the tarnish is beginning to develop. This is the best time to intervene because as it turns from light brown to black, it becomes more difficult to remove it. You can check for early tarnish formation by looking at the object against a white sheet of paper. Once you see very light tarnish, you can use Windex with vinegar or a non-abrasive, fragrance-free aloe vera liquid hand sanitizer. Using a cotton ball, gently and evenly turn it over to any exposed unused surfaces, then dry the piece with a cotton kitchen towel. This is so far the least abrasive technique to clean a piece of silver.
Once your Gorham sterling silver tarnishes, you will need to use a commercial silver cleaner. There are some available on the market that offer protection against tarnishing. It is essential to use the least abrasive product. Polishes that come in washing-up liquid can be less abrasive because of their ability to suspend the polish ingredients.
Always make sure to keep the nail polish container closed and never use a product that has dried out. The content of the dry polish is concentrated and can damage the silver piece. It is never recommended to use steel wool, scouring pads, and scouring pads because they are often very abrasive.
If you noticed a purple stain on your game after cleaning it, don’t mistake it for tarnish. Removing such a blemish could depreciate the value of your Gorham sterling silver. The purple stain is called fire stain, it is an oxidized copper that can be found in pre-colonial pieces up to the beginning of the 20th century. This fire stain may not appear until several years of polishing and you may want to consult with a goldsmith restorer to make the right decision on your pieces.
It is very important to note that toothpaste should not be used to clean your silver piece because some may contain baking soda which can be extremely abrasive. You should use polishes that are specific for removing tarnish from silver.
Having valuable possessions like a sterling silver Gorham needs some attention and maintenance. Taking care of them is a must because their value increases as they age. It’s easy, it can even be nice to do. There is no doubt that having fine pieces of silver will bring you joy for years to come.