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Finding the Silver Lining

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All it really takes to own a new treasure is $3.99 and a visit to a local thrift store.

Well, that, some silver polish, and a little elbow grease.

When I picked up this piece last week, I had no idea if I could actually remove the tarnish with my beloved Wright’s Silver Cream. I was pleasantly surprised with myself and my new little gem after I was finished polishing. And for $3.99, who could complain?

Don’t overlook a tarnished piece at a thrift store or garage sale just because it’s an ugly duckling. There are many people who would rather get rid of their silver pieces than put in the work to keep them tarnish-free (and when I say “work”, I mean five minutes every once in a while).

If you come across a cheaply priced item, check the markings on the bottom of the piece. Mine was marked EPNS, which means electroplated silver. It’s not as valuable as sterling silver (generally marked Sterling or .925), but it’s just as pretty, shiny, and collectible. Both types of silver should polish to a beautiful shine if it’s not scratched beneath the tarnish.

Have you ever been scared away from a thrift store purchase because you don’t know what it may become?

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  1. Runner Mom says

    I have tons of tarnished treasures…hope they will look as good as yours with my Wright's cleaner! I keep the cleaner in the bathroom to shine up my silver jewelery!

    Hugs,
    susan

    Reply

  8. Nori says

    YES! Just yesterday morning I tried to clean a few pieces that when I picked up, I wasn't sure were silver or not. I discovered that they weren't which was fine because I'm planning on painting them. But it got me wondering about how to identify silver when I'm out thrifting. I was embarrassed that I can't figure out a simple thing like that… so THANK you for the tips on the markings to look for!

    Reply

  9. Kelly Brumley says

    I would be thrilled beyond measure if I found that! It is soooo beautiful. I LOVE finding this stuff at thrift stores and garage sales. And with my "upscale country" theme I have going on here I love them tarnished too, when I am too lazy to polish!

    Kelly @ Beginner's Luck

    Reply

  12. Jane says

    Great little $3.99 find!!! I purchase a lot of silver plated pieces at thrift stores, but call me crazy, I love the tarnished look!! At a church garage sale I purchased two large silver plated tarnished trays. The woman at the checkout asked me who was going to keep them polished. You should have seen her cute little face when I told her I liked them tarnished!

    Reply

  14. Let it Shine says

    It is beautiful! You can also use baking soda, just take a damp sponge and rub well, to make it kind of paste like!

    Reply

  15. Susie Q says

    Tarnx, then Wright's..I'll have to remember that one. I grab all the silver polish when I go to our local landfill recycling looking for paint…I have several things of it now. Last time I sat down to polish silver, I got all my materials out, then turned the TV to On Demand and caught up on all my back episodes of Drop Dead Diva!

    Reply

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