Maintaining "oxidised" silver jewellery

[OwlsWearGlasses]

I've had this flower necklace for a good 10-15 years. It's sterling silver and was always "oxidised", as in it was greyish when I bought it. I stopped wearing it as it got so black, and I was nervous about cleaning it as it was supposed to have some degree of tarnish and I didn't want to totally ruin it. I've just decided to get it back out and give it a good clean, rather than never wear it again. It has come up fairly well, but I can't remember what it actually looked like in the first place! Does it still look too black? It's pictured here next to a bracelet that isn't tarnished, though I know the lighting isn't good!

Oops pic

Best way to clean real silver is to wear it or rub it between your fingers. The oils clean silver up beautifully. I've cleaned up jewellery that was totally tarnished that way.

Suspect that may not be silver though

Ooh thanks, I'll try just rubbing it while I'm watching TV tonight. I'm fairly certain it's silver as it was bought from a local silversmith, who's been in business for decades. I know what you mean though! It looks a bit rustic.

I’m a silversmith.

oxidised silver is usually dipped in something called liver of sulphur to give it that look. If you polish it you’ll get bright silver on the contact parts and greyish bits on the rest, which may imitate the original look well enough.

if not, you can let the original maker or a local jeweller reoxidise it. Shouldn’t cost much.

when you get it how you want it, store it in a ziplock back and it won’t recur.

and yes silver does love skin, but a tarnished and oxidised piece would lead to a black neck. Not the end of the world but not ideal.

I've used toothpaste to clean mine in the past.

I tried to clean a Pandora silver ring with the tin foil and baking soda method and it ruined the ring. So I think this only works with good quality silver.

I recently cleaned silver jewellery with plain white toothpaste and using a old soft head of an electric tooth brush.

I've got some tiffany pieces which have done the same. Apparently you can get silver polishing cloths