Expert: Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr. - 1/25/2006

Question
My mother has a collection of napkin rings and most are made of silver or silverplate. She recently had her knee replaced and she kept her medicines on the buffet below her collection.  We noticed that the silver napkin rings are getting very tarnished on one side but still silver on the other.  They were recently polished with silver cleaner.  Is there something in the medicines (iron, calcium, blood thinner) or is there a problem with her furnace (my brother changed her filters just before the surgery)?  Is this a fluke or something to be concerned about?  Thanks, Meg

Answer
You don't describe what you mean by a side.  Is it inside/outside, facing a window/not facing a window, facing a vent/not facing a vent, etc.

My thought in all cases (without much expertise) is that the polishing did it.  It may have been a polish that left a film that is the tarnish you see or it could be that the silver isn't the grade you thought (when was the last time or were they ever polished?).  Forget the meds as a source.  Even open and sitting on the silver I doubt there would be a reaction.  I would say that you need to repolish them with more care, except for one where you don't wipe off the polish as well (let your brother do this one).  I would also set one in a window to see if the light/heat makes a difference.  You may want to talk to a jeweler to see if there is a protective finish you can add.  All this is based on them being valuable to you but not extremely rare specimens.  If that rare, take them to a specialist.