posted on August 22, 2001 08:52:02 PM
The other post on silver prompted me to pull out a old chest of silver plate I picked up for $5.00 a couple of months ago. I have begun to polish the stuff ~ but some of it has green spots that I can't get off.....what is it? Any suggestions, I am using Wrights cream polish and it is not removing the green spots. Thanks in advance for your help.
posted on August 22, 2001 09:20:07 PM
Hi: The only time I saw green on a piece of silver flatware, it appeared that I'd gotten to the bottom layer, the underlayer, of the piece. It was hopeless after that. Several pieces had that color, which nothing took off. I'm guessing it was the base metal. But some experts may be able to help you further here. Good luck.
posted on August 22, 2001 09:50:22 PM
Try Simichrome or another good slightly abrasive metal polish...but not TOO abrasive. Really old plate can get a terrible coating of crud on it that is hard to get off with normal polishes, which are meant to be used on relatively clean silverware. Look in an auto supply store--the stuff usually comes in a tube.
posted on August 23, 2001 12:50:58 PM
Sounds like you have corrosion. Sometimes it will buff off, but not always. First try washing in really hot water, just in case this is a fungus. Then use a strong abrasive on the pieces. What seems to happen is the underlying metal, the base, corrodes due to penetration by moisture and this blossoms up thru the plate. Run into this rarely but it does happen. It seems to be more common near the oceans than inland. So probably has something to do with salt water. Generally does not happen with high quality plate. But more with inexpensive dime store brands. Good luck, Dale
posted on August 23, 2001 11:13:50 PM
Green? Sounds like copper or brass. A strong silver polish might make it worse.
Advice, unless it is Sheffield, or specifically valuable for specific reasons, such as elite designer - dump it off at the Goodwill store and claim a tax credit. Silver plate in general is nearly worthless, even at 'real' markets where I've seen gorgeous pieces spread out on blankets for a dollar each.
Even Sterling frequently sells for less than its metal value. A good time to buy. And hope that trends change.
posted on August 24, 2001 10:42:54 AM
I just had an auction close for a set of Rogers Brothers Silverplate flatware in the Eternally Your's pattern......It was in it's chest.....no knives as they were broken but there were 43 pieces in all and it just sold for $100.00 when I only paid $3.00 at a sale.......so it appears that this pattern, even though it is silverplate doesn't do too shabby. Seen 8 of the soup spoon alone go for $80.00 on one completed auction. Not too bad of an investment. If anything is salvagable, you might want to investigate your closed auctions for the pattern you have before you take it to Good Will!
