Trapper
Senior Member
I just learned how to clean silver that comes off the beach just as black as can be. This comes to me from forumite Kapidra and it worked so well fore me that I had to share.
I got a very dark ring out of the sand at a salt water beach and my partner that day was Captain Silver. He said it was silver but I, who don't do much beach hunting, thought, no way, its too dark. Then I saw a post by Kapidr who found a silver earring and showed it black, and then shiny after she cleaned it. I asked her how, and she told me to put a few cups of water in a sauce pan. Mix in 3 tsps. salt, 3 tsps. baking soda and heat. Meanwhile put a layer of aluminum foil on the bottom of the pan and place the item to be cleaned on that. Cook for 10". My ring turned gray but shined up nicely with buffing. Sounds like electolysis, huh? Cap, you were right. I found a "sterling" hallmark and all. Thanks to both Kapidr and Captain Silver.
I got a very dark ring out of the sand at a salt water beach and my partner that day was Captain Silver. He said it was silver but I, who don't do much beach hunting, thought, no way, its too dark. Then I saw a post by Kapidr who found a silver earring and showed it black, and then shiny after she cleaned it. I asked her how, and she told me to put a few cups of water in a sauce pan. Mix in 3 tsps. salt, 3 tsps. baking soda and heat. Meanwhile put a layer of aluminum foil on the bottom of the pan and place the item to be cleaned on that. Cook for 10". My ring turned gray but shined up nicely with buffing. Sounds like electolysis, huh? Cap, you were right. I found a "sterling" hallmark and all. Thanks to both Kapidr and Captain Silver.
