posted 11-21-2006 12:09 AM            

Hello,

I am very worried about using jewelry cleaners that contain thiourea... are there any silver "dip" alternatives that do not contain this chemical.

Thanks
Afroqt

posted 11-21-2006 09:17 AM            

I'm not sure there will ever be any non-thiourea dips because it is central to the basic chemical process that is the basis for a dip. Dips are made of thiourea disolved in sulfuric acid. Placing some tarnished silver into this liquid creates a chemical reaction that reverses (sort of) the chemical reaction that created the silver sulfide or silver chloride (which is what we commonly call tarnish). The problem is that while this chemical reaction changes tarnish back into silver, it does not put it back into its original crystaline structure which was also changed in the tarnishing chemical reaction. This changed crystaline structure of the silver on the surface is grainier and as such is much more susceptable to the chemical reactions of tarnishing making you need to dip it more often. This tarnish then dip cycle accelerates as the surface silver crystaline structure gets more and more changed with each cycle. Also, this different crystaline structure is the reason why a dip will not give the same rich appearance to your silver as a regular polishing will do.

posted 11-22-2006 11:45 AM            

The second way is to store your silver in a place where it won't be exposed to sulfur or chlorine - keep it out of the kitchen if you have a gas range/oven, keep it away from rubber bands, keep it away from wool, keep it clean after it has been in contact with food or salt, etc.

The third way is to store it either in pacific cloth wraps or bags or lined jewelry chests (pacific cloth is that blue or brown felt cloth that have been specially treated to retard silver tarnish) or store it with anti-tarnish strips (which are basically just activated charcoal thingies that soak up sulfur and chlorine gases that are in the air in your house for a while. You do need to replace these from time to time as they get 'used up').

When I do need to polish, my first choice is silver smith gloves which are simply soft cloth gloves that some silver polish makers sell that have powdered silver polish in them. You just wear them then polish your silver with your hands and fingers. They can be laundered and you can buy the silver polish powder stuff to 'recharge' them. For more difficult tarnish I use the paste polish and a really, really old 100% cotton white t-shirt that has no designs printed on it and that has been through the laundry a zillion times making it ultra soft and non-scratching. The fibers in new cotton fabric and most synthetics will be too stiff and abrasive. I always polish lengthwise to the object, not in circles which can leave those irritating swirly patterns on silver. I also don't over-polish. For objects with raised or incised designs I will normally let the tarnish build up in those spots since it gives the object an honest patina and a three-dimensional look. If there is just too much tarnish in the crevices and corners for this, however, I might gently use an old and well worn toothbrush that started with extra soft bristles - not one of those medium or firm toothbrushes. I use it just enough to get the worst of the dirt and tarnish but being sure to leave enough in the deepest crevices to maintain the overall patina.

If there is some dried silver polish in crevices or surface scratches I gently run a soft horsehair brush over it. Some of the silver polish makers sell these that have been specially made to be extra gentle. I only use this just enough to clean out the dried residue - it is not for energetic buffing.