How to Clean and Identify Real Silver
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Silver, whether you've inherited it, collected it, purchased it, or gifted it, has value. If you want to wear your silver jewelry or sell it in a private sale and get a decent price, you'll need to ensure it has been properly maintained and that you understand the purity of your silver pieces. When silver is being considered for sale, knowing how to identify silver as genuine and not fake becomes equally important.
How to Clean Silver at Home
Silver tarnishes easily but is also easy to clean with the right tools and techniques. It tarnishes when it reacts to sulfur in the air or materials containing sulfur. Knowing how to clean silver properly helps you preserve its condition without causing damage.
How to Clean Silverware Without Damaging It
Avoid washing silverware alongside items made of rubber, stainless steel, or dish soaps containing sulfur compounds. Major dish soaps like Dawn, Palmolive, and Ajax might contain sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. These can speed up tarnishing or scratch the surface.
Instead of rubber gloves, use synthetic materials like nitrile. Use soft towels or cloths in place of abrasive pads. Dry silverware immediately after washing to avoid water spots. If it looks dull, polish it with a soft cotton cloth.
How to Clean Silver Jewelry Safely
Many silver owners prefer specialized polishing products for valuable items. These are formulated to clean silver without corrosion. If you’re cleaning less valuable or heavily used items, household methods can work as well.
Recommended materials include:
- Baking soda mixed with warm water to form a paste
- Plain white toothpaste without whitening agents
- A hot saltwater and aluminum foil bath
- Soft drinks like 7-Up in small quantities
These DIY approaches should always be tested cautiously. Some may not be suitable for antique or delicate items.
What Household Items Can Be Used to Clean Silver?
Use only soft, non-abrasive items like:
- Cotton balls or cotton cloth
- Soft towels
- Cellulose sponges
- Q-tips for small crevices
These won’t scratch the surface and are safe for most silver.
How to Avoid Tarnishing Silver During Cleaning and Storage
Once cleaned, silver should be completely dry before storage. Wrap it in flannel or acid-free tissue paper and place it in an airtight bag. Keep it away from humidity and materials that might cause the silver to tarnish.
Determining Authenticity: How to Test if Silver is Real
Before investing time in cleaning or considering selling a silver item, you'll want to determine whether it is authentic. Sterling silver carries a substantially higher value than silver-plated or base metal items with a silver-like appearance, so understanding how to tell fake silver from real silver is essential.
Here is how you can tell real silver from fake silver without advanced equipment:
Hallmark Inspection
Genuine sterling silver will carry identifiable hallmarks, particularly in the UK. Here in the United States, we don’t use hallmarks, per se, but there are symbols or stamps like “925” or “Sterling,” which indicate a silver purity of 92.5%, the standard for sterling silver.
If you are going to sell your silver, you need to be cautious of inconsistently placed or faint hallmarks, which might be signs of forgery or plating. The Antiques Trade Gazette reported finding fake hallmarks on silver pieces purported to be from 18th-century silversmith Paul de Lamerie.[1]
Magnet and Ice Tests
Silver is not magnetic. A rare-earth magnet placed near genuine silver should show no attraction. Additionally, silver conducts heat more efficiently than most metals. If an ice cube is placed on a silver item, it will melt faster than on steel or nickel, providing an informal but effective way to tell the difference between real silver and fake silver.
Vinegar Test
Applying a small amount of white vinegar to an inconspicuous area should not affect real silver. Discoloration or a reaction might indicate the presence of non-silver metals or coatings. For more precise verification, a nitric acid test can be used, but it should only be done by a professional to avoid damage.
When Silver Authenticity and Condition Matter
Whether you’re holding silver for sentimental reasons or evaluating its resale potential, knowing its purity and maintaining its condition directly influence its market value. Online silver buyers like Cash for Silver USA typically assess silver based on its weight and purity, rather than its visual appeal, retail demand, or sentimental value.
But, knowing how to clean silver properly can help should you decide to sell to a local buyer or in a private sale, especially when tarnish obscures markings or details, or affects how your silver jewelry looks when the buyer evaluates your valuables.
Sources
1. Antiques Trade Gazette, How to spot faked or forged antique silver hallmarks, https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2024/how-to-spot-faked-or-forged-antique-silver-hallmarks/. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
How to Sell Real Silver to Cash for Silver USA
Fill out our short online form to request a free Appraisal Kit.
Once you receive your FedEx label, just package up your silver, gold, platinum, and/or palladium items and use the provided label to ship it to us for free.
Within 24 hours of receipt, our experts will evaluate the silver pieces and we will mail you a check for their determined value.
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