Dealing with unsightly black spots on your beautiful silverware can be frustrating, but rest assured, it's a very common and solvable issue. Those black marks are typically tarnish, a compound called silver sulfide that forms from a natural chemical reaction when silver is exposed to oxygen and hydrogen sulfide in the air and even some foods. Understanding this process is the first step toward restoring your pieces to their original brilliance.
For most cases of tarnish, a good quality silver polish is your best starting point. However, if you've tried polishing and the black spots stubbornly remain, you may be dealing with a more advanced form of corrosion. When polish isn't enough to do the trick, you can turn to a more powerful method recommended by silver restoration experts.
For these resilient corrosion spots, there is a simple technique you can use at home. You will need to work in a well-ventilated area and wear nitrile gloves for safety. Immerse the silver piece completely in a container of ammonia and let it soak for about ten minutes. After the time is up, carefully remove the item and inspect it. This process is often highly effective at removing deep-set corrosion that regular polishing can't handle.
It's important to remember that every time you polish silver, a very small amount of the surface is removed. While this isn't a major concern for solid sterling silver, it can be a problem for silver-plated items, where the silver layer is quite thin. Aggressive or frequent cleaning can eventually wear through the plating, so it is always best to start with the gentlest method possible and only resort to stronger techniques for the most stubborn marks.
