Ever wonder how to make your silver shine like the day it was bestowed upon you? Here is a simple and inexpensive way to make those dingy pieces sparkle.

You need:
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 pint water
Glass dish lined with aluminum foil

Mix salt, baking soda, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Place your tarnished silver pieces in a glass dish lined with aluminum foil. Pour the hot solution over your silver and go paint your toenails. When you have a desired shine (this could up to 1/2 hour) take silver pieces out and rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel.

GIVE THAT SHINY SILVER OR GOLD A PATINA LOOK
Want to tone down a piece of silver or gold for a patina look? Oxidize it!

You need:
Bleach in a bowl
A good book to read while you wait!

All you need to dull down the shine is to place your silver and gold in a bowl of bleach. Please note that gold filled pieces will take longer to oxidize than silver. Once you have your desired look, rinse your pieces with water and pat dry! Do not use this technique with soft stones such as opals or turquoise.

HANDY TIP: Remove your silver and gold before you jump in a hot tub or swimming pool (so much for spontaneity!) The chlorine will react with the metal and make it very dull and hard to clean. Not fun!
MAKE YOUR SILVER SHINE, SHINE, SHINE
Ever wonder how to make your silver shine like the day it was bestowed upon you? Here is a simple and inexpensive way to make those dingy pieces sparkle.

You need:
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 pint water
Glass dish lined with aluminum foil

Mix salt, baking soda, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Place your tarnished silver pieces in a glass dish lined with aluminum foil. Pour the hot solution over your silver and go paint your toenails. When you have a desired shine (this could up to 1/2 hour) take silver pieces out and rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel.

GIVE THAT SHINY SILVER OR GOLD A PATINA LOOK
Want to tone down a piece of silver or gold for a patina look? Oxidize it!

You need:
Bleach in a bowl
A good book to read while you wait!

All you need to dull down the shine is to place your silver and gold in a bowl of bleach. Please note that gold filled pieces will take longer to oxidize than silver. Once you have your desired look, rinse your pieces with water and pat dry! Do not use this technique with soft stones such as opals or turquoise.

HANDY TIP: Remove your silver and gold before you jump in a hot tub or swimming pool (so much for spontaneity!) The chlorine will react with the metal and make it very dull and hard to clean. Not fun!