About Michelle Lieberman Expertise My expertise is in the area of American sterling silver and coin silver flatware and holloware, including identifying silversmiths and makers, types and patterns of flatware and their usage. I am unable to answer questions pertaining to silverplate or foreign silver.
Experience With over 25 years experience in selling vintage silver, I now devote much of my time educating others in this field.
Education/Credentials BA California State University Los Angeles
Question QUESTION: Hello,
My question is a followup to the one you answered for Renee on 3/9/2009.
My neighbor kindly gave me 4 place settings of Buttercup by Gorham for my
wedding in 1971. She found it in her attic, and before I could get to her
house, she had "cleaned" about 10 pieces until they were all yellow - no
patina left at all. I have brushed ketchup on them, put them in vinegar and
not polished them, except for the bowl and tines. Time has not done a
thing! They are still yellowish, with no patina. A follow-up to Renee's
question and your answer mentioned liver of sulfur. Are you familiar with
this? Is it safe to use on sterling? I am looking for help; after 38 years, I'm
losing hope in the "time" method. Thanks so much for any suggestions you
may have. IMAGE: Sterling silver flatware, Buttercup by Gorham
ANSWER: Hello Christine. I'm sorry about the delay in getting back to you on this. I've been pondering your situation. (What's interesting, though, is when I originally looked at the question the photo wouldn't come up, now I can see it just fine and see what you're talking about - makes a huge difference).
Anyways, the only thing I can think of here is that the flatware your neighbor gave you was sealed to prevent it from tarnishing. Yes, after 38 years those pieces should be black, black, black. I've handled some sealed flatware (all of it antique pieces, which I find interesting), and it's very hard to tell it's sealed when it's done right.
What I recommend you do is take a piece to a full service jeweler to figure it all out. They will be able to tell if it's sealed or not and should be able to get it off for you. Then you can decide if you want time to take over and do its thing or they can patinate it for you chemically.
Good luck to you. Let me know how things turn out.
Regards,
Michelle
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for your help. Now, After a jeweler evaluates the
sealer/no sealer situation, may I patinate it myself? I am quite curious
about the liver of sulfur. I have never heard of it, and don't want to use it if
it would etch or ruin my silver. However, I would rather do it myself if
possible. I have quite a few pieces to 'fix' and the cost could really run up!
Thanks again for your time and expertise!
Christine
Answer You had asked about the liver of sulfur earlier, but you must have read about that from one of the earlier experts in the silver category. It wasn't me - I don't know anything about it.
I think it would be easier for you to figure out how to remove the sealer and let it patinate naturally. I have heard that acetone will do it, but I have never tried this myself nor do I recommend you doing so just on my say so.
I suggested taking one piece instead of the whole lot so you could see what type of costs you were looking at. Sorry, I meant to spell that out. I've had a lot of things repaired over the years, and some people are very reasonable, some outrageously expensive. I don't know where you're located, but you may even thing about taking (or even mailing) a piece to someone who specializes in silver. There's a nice list on this page:
){kind=link}