Featured Sterling cloudy/blotchy after polishing.... Thoughts?

Follow up post to my cocktail shaker. Solved one problem, now have another.

For whatever reason I cannot get this sterling to polish to a perfect shine. And I've really worked at it. Lots of elbow grease... using Wrights Silver polish.

All I can think of is that maybe former owner put some kind of non-tarnish coating on it?? What is going on here? I'm used to sterling polishing to a mirror shine. I don't seem to be able to get it better, so coming here for advice.

It's maybe something someone could live with because honestly the glass is the show-stopper here, but if I sell like this, what wording about this would you put in the auction? "Sterling didn't polish fully?" Thanks for taking a look!




(Dark black circle is a reflection of my camera.) You


Black also camera reflection, but you can see the issue in a different lighting. I really worked at polishing this part and couldn't get it to budge.


The whole thing is quite magnificent, but how to describe this polishing issue?

 

That sure looks like it.

 

There are several things discussed here but I've never tried any of them myself.

https://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14719

 

Wow. That is a stunning shaker.

 

This came from a google reply on the "BEST" way to remove LACQUER from a sterling item.....maybe try with a Q-tip first in an inconspicuous area???? I cannot verify trying any of it, but good luck!!! And if successful, please tell us which might have worked for you???
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"AI Overview
Learn more
To remove lacquer from a tarnished sterling silver item, the absolute best method is to use a professional jewelry cleaner or take it to a jeweler to have the lacquer professionally removed as they have specialized techniques and solutions that can safely strip the lacquer without damaging the silver underneath, especially if the item is intricate or has delicate details.

Important points to remember:

• Avoid harsh chemicals:
  Do not attempt to remove lacquer with strong solvents like acetone or lacquer thinner as they can severely damage the silver.

• Consider the item's value:
  If the silver item is of high value, always consult a professional jeweler before attempting to remove the lacquer yourself.

Alternative methods for removing lacquer (with caution):

• Denatured alcohol:
  Use a small amount of denatured alcohol on a cotton ball and gently rub the lacquered areas, but be very careful not to over-rub.

• Ultrasonic cleaner:
  If the item is suitable for an ultrasonic cleaner, use a jewelry cleaning solution specifically designed for silver in the machine.

Once the lacquer is removed, clean the tarnished silver with a commercial silver cleaning solution or a baking soda and aluminum foil method to remove tarnish safely."

 

'silverhammer', who recommended the stripper on the above link, was the late Jeff Herman, silversmith, restoration expert and conservator, and 'JLDoggett', who assured that acetone won't harm silver, is a silversmith who worked at one of the major American silver manufacturers for years.

https://www.hermansilver.com/beforeandafter15.htm

https://www.hermansilver.com/care.htm

Thankful that Jeff's family keeps his invaluable site up after his passing...



'AI' is clueless - please DO NOT use the 'baking soda & aluminum foil method' or 'commercial silver cleaning solution' (Tarnex, etc.)

~Cheryl

 

This reminds me of a piece I had where the former owner had wrapped it in Saran Wrap/cling film/plastic wrap to prevent it from tarnishing. Do you think that could be what you're seeing? I got the plastic wrap off (if I'm remembering correctly) with boiling water. It was time consuming and made harder by the previous attempts to clean it. But eventually, it all came off. The plastic wrap was already mostly removed when I got the piece. It would have been helpful if I'd known that in advance. It looked like the plastic wrap had bonded itself with the silver.

 

I wish I could Like this 100 times. Stop using AI for any information without sources. It's a stealing regruitating app with no sources and no verification at all. It's a gimmick and it spits out incorrect info constantly. Use Herman's amazing site while we can.

 

Ditto.

As an aside, someone I know uses AI for medical/dietary advice.

 

DID NOT know that.....but thanks for the info!!!!

 

I understand! Very large companies have poured a lot of money into it and put it everywhere trying to convince everyone it's the new normal. They market it to other companies as a solution to gut the labor market and steal copyrighted works en masse. Companies that didn't have it are rushing to paste it on so they don't get "left behind." But it doesn't do what they claim at all. Multiple deep dives have shown it's riddled with errors/inaccuracies that actually create more work to undo. We're finding out most of the big ones are propped up by cheap human labor in other countries as well...so it's not even "AI."

Every single gen AI database (which all AI companies use as their base) is also currently being sued for all the copyrighted works they've stolen and the privacy laws they've ignored.

 

I saw a documentary on that. Not only is it not AI, but the working conditions are sub-standard to say the least. Given how they have to work, I am not surprised 'AI' is riddled with mistakes.

 

I know I was searching for other examples of something I already knew what it was so I included relevant words along with a clear photo.

The response by AI was no, it didn't look like that's what it was, they though it looked like something else which was all they wanted to show.

I'm sorry, there are many, many things I don't know anything about but some things I do and I don't want to argue with AI over it