Cleaning 925 silver ring.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone suggest a method for cleaning this ring? It has been in sand and salt for many years.

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Here are a couple of links on making an electrolysis setup. This is what you want. It works magic with silver. I've used it many times. Your setup can be done many ways...I have a square glass vase that I got at Big Lots for a couple bucks. One thing I will add that the links may not say...take the ring, coin, or other object out every few minutes and wash it with warm water and dishwashing liquid and put it back in. The black will come off more and more each time. Once you've got all the black off you can polish it up like new. Check my pics...that's what I did with this one.

EDIT: By the way, I use baking soda when I do it, not salt like the first link says...baking soda works real well, as I'm sure salt does too.

http://gometaldetecting.com/electrolysis_cleaning.htm

http://members.tripod.com/~dlclark/elec.htm

 

[sandnsea49]

n/t

 

[Doc Poole]

Wet the ring down with water first. Wrap it in aluminum foil. Put some white vinegar and salt in a glass jar. No real measurements, just enough vinegar to cover all of the foil and about a teaspoon of salt. Make sure you put it outside in a well vented area because it will smell like rotten eggs. Takes the tarnish right off after a few hours. Then you can shine it up with some commercial polish.

Doc

 

[Mike (Virginia Beach)]

Nope, Tarnex and the like won't touch it. It's like bonded to the metal. Electrolysis is the only way.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for advice. Will keep you posted when complete. As you mentioned, the black is bonded to the ring.

HH,
Ray.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike,

As promised, have a look at the result. My only problem now is finding out what the marks inside indicate. Not the 925, but the long one. Unfortunately it is very difficult to see.

HH.
Ray.