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RE: Cleaning Pure Silver or Silver Plated Copper Connectors

52.119.121.37

6bq5

In Reply to: RE: Cleaning Pure Silver or Silver Plated Copper Connectors posted by el34eh@yahoo.com on March 04, 2024 at 07:18:05

Pure silver, like gold does NOT tarnish, or 'rust'.

However Pure silver is incredibly soft, and not used for very much

Sterling Silver, or 925, is 92.5% silver with the balance being coper, for strength. Copper will tarnish at the drop of a hat!
Typically the tarnish on silver alloys is a sulfide
As silver does not react to Oxygen.

The common source of sulfur to start this chain reaction is H2S, or Hydrogen Sulfide.
It can be accelerated by High Relative Humidity -
here are some sources of H2S/Sulfur:

Sources of tarnishing gases
Tarnishing gases may originate from the following sources (Ankersmit et al. 2005, Benson 2012, Selwyn 2004, Selwyn 1990):

Clays (e.g. certain modelling clays)
Drywall (poor quality)
Foods (certain ones such as eggs)
Glues (protein-based)
Heating fuel (especially coal-based)
Paints (certain ones)
People (intestinal gas emissions containing hydrogen sulfide)
Plaster casts (made with gypsum)
Pulp-and-paper industries
Sewer gases
Sulfur (elemental sulfur), sometimes used for:
Adhesives
Cement
Grout
Inlays in furniture
Munitions
Volcanoes and hot springs
Vulcanized rubber objects such as:
Ebonite
Latex gloves
Molding material (polysulfide rubber)
Pencil erasers
Rubber bands
Rubber gloves
Rubber o-rings
Rubber stoppers
Vulcanite
Water (some natural well water and bogs)
Wood (recovered from anaerobic environments)
Wool, wool felt

I have used paste and liquid polishes on silver (mostly Sterling, but some coin silver (10% Cu) for most of my life, and enjoyed wonderful results.

Most polishes are toxic, and will stain or damage cloth, wood or other porous materials attached to the silver piece.

Happy Listening

Follow Ups:

RE: Cleaning Pure Silver or Silver Plated Copper Connectors - el34eh@yahoo.com 18:37:41 03/05/24 (2)
Thanks 6bq5,

That's a very insightful explanation of what's what, yet it reads as if I'd be avoiding most types of polishes, could you by chance recommend a particular brand over the others?.

Thanks again.
- RE: Cleaning Pure Silver or Silver Plated Copper Connectors - 6bq5 12:30:29 03/06/24 (1)
  Many years ago there was a product called "Silvo" - from the makers of Brasso
  A liquid that one would rub on with a small cloth, and burnish till the surface was clean/shiny, allow to dry, then with a different cloth rub/burnish off the now white paste.
  If a serving piece, silverware, etc, wash w/ soap & water (I was taught to use the hottest water possible for rinse, then dry with clean tea towel.
  
  I have not seen Silvo in shops recently, but have had great results with Goddard's (a thick liquid) and Wright's (a paste).
  Goddard's would be used as described above.
  Wright's/pastes are a bit different:" they typically come with a sponge, that needs to be a bit damp, then with a bit of paste on the sponge/applicator, burnish the tarnished surface till you are happy, wash off w/ soap & water, then dry.
  
  There are many polishes out there-
  Goddard's active (critical) reagent is Octadecyl Mercaptan, 1.5% CAS#: 2885-00-9 not great for one's respiratory system... There is also some Isopropanol, 3%.
  
  Have fun!
  Happy Listening
  - RE: Cleaning Pure Silver or Silver Plated Copper Connectors - el34eh@yahoo.com 12:39:43 03/06/24 (0)
    Thanks again, 6bq5,
    
    I'm researching all said recommendations as I type this, and am definitely certain that more than likely I'll end up with several. As I'm the type that would rather have ample supplies when needed, than not.
the question is...how PURE is the silver that he's asking about? /nt - Story 10:43:31 03/05/24 (0)

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