otteropp
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posted on December 4, 2008 07:54:57 PM new
Once again I find myself talking to my computer screen!
I have been researching some silver and cannot believe the number of listings that I see that have lousy photos of very tarnished items and the wording "It just needs cleaning". That is the point I look at my screen and say "Well, clean it then"!
One listing had a title that said "Uncleaned Silver Tongs".
It's not just silver, I find I get upset at linens & clothes that have not been pressed although my Granddaughter (age 23) tells me that most modern girls don't own an iron anymore! My answer to that was in my best Granny voice "That is very obvious, Jessi".
Okay...I am sounding like an old Victorian lady here but does it bother anyone else when they see dirty items for sale or is it just me?
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roadsmith
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posted on December 4, 2008 09:41:17 PM new
I think those kinds of auctions tell us more about the seller than about the object. I can't imagine selling silver items and not owning some silver polish. Lazy.
Of course, some of the experts say there's a danger in over-cleaning silver. Maybe these sellers are afraid they'd do that? (Not.)
_____________________
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ebabestreasures
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posted on December 5, 2008 04:35:06 AM new
Cleaning of antiques has always been an issue. I think some sellers have watched the Antique Roadshow too often - the appraiser says a piece of furniture would have been worth $500,000 but you stripped it and now it's worth $5,000.
That not true of silver. Just don't over clean it as you said Roadsmith
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sword013
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posted on December 5, 2008 06:30:02 AM new
Tarn-X?
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toasted36
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posted on December 6, 2008 10:42:10 AM new
I cleaned a piece of silver jewelry once and someone e-mailed me and asked what kind of polished I used . I think it was wrights silver polish. They had a fit and said I ruined the piece. Never cleaned another one. I just sold two pair of earrings unpolished. I did just OK on one (26.99) and super (68.99) on the other pair. Don't get much more tarnish than these babies.
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on December 6, 2008 10:59:09 AM new
They look like they could be Old Mexican Sterling which could explain why they did so well.
I took a Victorian (dated 1861) napkin ring into a silver shop to see if they could tell me if they were solid sterling or not. The guy took it in the back and dipped it. I could have died - he took all the patina out of the ornate decoration. I had to dip the other to match.
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blueyes29
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posted on December 6, 2008 11:49:58 AM new
Based on advice I've received on this forum, (opinions are divided aboout 50-50 as to polish or not), I don't polish old silver. My figuring is that once it's polished, it can never be un-polished so I prefer to err on the side of caution. I'm not a lazy seller but prefer to let a more knowledgeable person polish if he/she wants.
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max40
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posted on December 6, 2008 12:39:04 PM new
I can't immagine anyone wearing those earrings in the condition that they're in.
I use either Maas or Simichrome polish on silver, as they are much milder that Wright's. It takes more elbow grease, but the results are worth it.
As far as any of the "dip" products are concerned, they take the black off, but the fuzzy look is horrible.
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otteropp
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posted on December 6, 2008 05:45:59 PM new
Ok...I do agree that you may have a point about the silver although I always clean mine with Twinkle paste which is very gentle or Maas.
Now what about dirty ornaments, china and clothing that is unpressed! Surely that is wrong!
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max40
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posted on December 6, 2008 07:49:21 PM new
Of course it's wrong. Anybody that bids on those items gets what they deserve.
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carolinetyler
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posted on December 7, 2008 05:06:16 PM new
Yeah, they get what they deserve bidding on tarnished silver - a 5 minute cleaning and a profit. Most silver dealers in this area use never dull - most hardware stores carry it. It doesn't leave it too bright - gives it a great look. People just don't know when it comes to cleaning - lord knows I've made mistakes.
Silver, for the most part, should be polished - bronze should not - anything Arts and Crafts should not.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Caroline
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on December 7, 2008 10:30:52 PM new
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Dec 7, 2008 10:36 PM ]
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Helenjw
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posted on December 8, 2008 06:30:06 AM new
Personally, I wouldn't want to deal with a seller who advertised jewelry unpolished or anything unclean. Lack of care in the presentation of a product might be interpreted by some buyers as carelessness in other facets of the sales agreement.
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