Tips on Maintaining and Restoring Your Silver When it comes down to silver keepsakes, heirlooms, and antiques, the better cared for your item, the higher value it will have. Not all silver items can be cared for the same way. Is your antique basically one contiguous piece or does it include multiple components? Are there fine details such as deep etchings or ornate works where tarnish may accumulate? Is it plated or sterling? Does your piece have bits of rose gold or brass detailing? For any type of silver item, you’ll need to use a metal or silver polish. There are brands of polish that are designed to be patina- and plate-friendly. Some brands are too corrosive to be used and will remove silver plating or damage fine etchings or other ornate details. If you have several different small silver items, then consider working with a silver cleaning dip or pourable solution. For large, unwieldy pieces such as a mirror, using a polish or cream and cleaning by hand could be your best bet. Sprays and foams can be great for frequent or regular maintenance, as these products typically do not take a lot of time to use, nor are they as harsh. No matter what type of silver cleaner you chose you will need a silver polishing cloth. These cloths are designed to be strong enough to remove grime and tarnish, yet gentle enough not to damage the character of your piece. That character is a big part of the value of your silver. You should regularly polish your pieces with a silver polishing cloth to maintain their upkeep. We know that sometimes you find silver stashed in a hideaway in your attic or have it left to you when a relative or loved one passes. Just because a silver piece is heavily tarnished, that doesn’t mean it’s lost its worth or cannot be restored. Selling Your Antique Silver in Fort Myers You don't want to have to maintain your silver items. You don't have the space for a small set of silver holiday serving dishes. There may not be enough pieces in the flatware set you were gifted to be practical for your groaning family. You have been overwhelmed by an inheritance you weren’t prepared for. No matter what your situation, you have silver antiques to sell in Southwest Florida and, at Judy’s Jewelry, we want to buy them. We are Southwest Florida's largest buyers of antique and vintage items—including silver antiques, but also jewelry, military artifacts, other precious metals, toys, and so much more. Contact Sal at Judy’s Antique and Estate Jewelry today and schedule an appointment to bring your items in for appraisal. You can reach us by phone at (239) 481-9600 or online here.