Summary for restoring patina on sterling silver Discussion
Restoring patina on sterling silver flatware is possible, but the thread suggests caution. Susanne Cannon asked whether harsh dip-cleaned vintage flatware could be re-patinated and whether liver of sulfur would work. One reply said the silver would likely tarnish again on its own within a month, and suggested a milder, safer shortcut: storing broken-up hard-boiled eggs with the silver in a plastic bag to speed tarnishing. In a later follow-up, Susanne reported that she found liver of sulfur, mixed it with water, and soaked the silver; after polishing, the pieces looked much better. However, washing the flatware in soapy water unexpectedly turned it roughly copper-colored, so she used Maas Metal Polish to correct it and ended up with the desired patina and highlighted decorative details. The editor’s note adds that liver of sulfur is now easy to find, but the exchange shows it should be used carefully.
Q. I recently purchased some vintage sterling silver flatware on eBay for my daughter and soon-to-be daughter in law. Both of the sellers had evidently dipped the silver in one of those harsh cleaning baths because all of it has lost its patina and has a stripped look. I have been trying to find a way to re-patina it. Is this possible? I came across an article by a silversmith that mentions using liver of sulfur
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
to give jewelry a patina. Should I use that on the flatware? If so, can you advise me on how to use it?
Susanne Cannon
– Chicago, Illinois, USA
2003
A. I hardly believe this silver won’t be completely tarnished in a month if you do nothing. But you can accelerate the process by storing broken up hard boiled eggs in with the silver in a plastic bag if you would like to use something milder and safer than liver of sulfur.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
A. After a long search at more places than I can count, I found the product Liver of sulfur at Dick Blick’s art supply store. We mixed it with water and soaked the silver in it and then polished it and it looked much better. Then we put the flatware into soapy water to wash it and it all turned roughly the color of copper. YIKES! So, we got out our Maas Metal Polish and went to work and everything worked out perfectly. All of the pieces now look as if they have that lovely patina, with the carved flowers and other designs in the silver accented as they should be.
Susanne Cannon
– Chicago, Illinois, USA
2004
Ed. note: That was then. These days you can easily find liver of sulfur
⇦ on
eBay or
Amazon [affil link]
Thanks for the happily ever after, Suzanne!
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.