[TheForge] silver tarnish

[Cindy and James]

Some 25 years ago my hobby was making ethnic jewelry from various metals 
and combinations, including Sterling and fine silver.

I never found anything that would completely keep something from 
tarnishing or achieving some sort of patina (oxide) after a while, 
UNLESS it was sprayed with a clear lacquer or acrylic sealer.
This was acceptable on some items and quite unacceptable on others.  For 
example, I have a couple of old copper/brass fire extinguishers in our 
media room that serve as conversation pieces and are polished to a high 
gloss finish.  I coated them with a clear lacquer spray and that was 25 
years ago and they are still just as shiny and pretty as the day I 
sprayed them.
Many items (costume jewelry, etc.) have a similar coating when they 
leave the manufacturer so they will retain their "pretty" look as they 
sit in the store shelves for sale.  Once sold however, and use begins, 
the coating can be chipped/worn and tarnish begins.

Depending on what the items are that you intend to preserve (& I don't 
recall seeing what they were in the discussion), sealing with a good 
clear lacquer would likely work, at least for a number of years.  You 
would have to be extremely careful to assure there are no fingerprints 
or traces of oil or other compounds that would prevent a good seal.  You 
might also experiment to find a sealer that does not yellow with age.

James
Paris, TX