Silver and Sleuths

Do you have any silver heirlooms that are tarnished and sitting in a drawer? Maybe you’ve yet to decide which ones to keep, sell, or donate. Understanding how silver pieces can be restored to their beautiful luster may help you make a decision.

When I’m plotting a new mystery, I like to learn something new. An inspiring topic can send my story in a new direction or my sleuth to interview a prospective witness. Such is the case in MURDER PAYS A CALL. Keri Armstrong owns a personal concierge agency in affluent Sunny Grove, Florida. When she stops by her favorite client’s house to drop off some groceries, Keri doesn’t expect to find Fiona Sullivan dead in bed and her room ransacked. The police think it’s a botched robbery, but Keri has doubts. Then rumors around town suggest the philanthropist wasn’t as beloved as Keri had believed. Refusing to let malicious gossip be her mentor’s legacy, she determines to learn the truth.

One of the characters has a jewelry shop featuring silver items. He’s trained in metalsmithing and silver restoration. Keri isn’t sure of the difference between sterling silver and silver plate other than knowing the former is more valuable. She asks the jeweler about his process in order to disarm him so she can ask the tougher questions on her mind.

Here’s a brief excerpt from their conversation:

“You have a definite talent. How about this pitcher on the counter? Can you restore something that is this tarnished?” she asked, hoping to loosen his tongue by getting him to talk about his work.

He pursed his lips. “In this case, I’ll buff it down to its base metal, then I’ll polish it to remove those pits and scratches. After the surface is smooth, it’ll go through several rinses and pre-plating steps. Finally, I’ll apply a heavy layer of silver plate using high-grade pure silver. That’s what I’ll be doing to your tray as well.”

“What’s the difference between sterling silver and silver plate?” she asked, having a vague notion. She knew sterling was more valuable.

He stroked the pitcher. “Pure silver is soft, so it’s usually mixed with copper to make a stronger alloy. Silver plate, on the other hand, is made by coating base metals with either pure silver or a silver alloy via electrolysis. It doesn’t last as long as sterling because the base metal will show through as the plate wears off.”

“Is there much demand for your services? People my age aren’t into this stuff like my grandparents were,” she said, trying to get a sense of his success.

He shrugged. “I have a steady customer base. They either want to preserve their family heirlooms or fix them up to sell. I can help either way.”

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Sometimes, asking a suspect about his work or hobbies can encourage him to open up. Keri gets more than she’d expected in this scene but also helps a friend clear up a misunderstanding. As for silver heirlooms, many jewelers today will buy sterling but not silver plate. Silver serving pieces can be beautiful when shined, but it’s a pain to polish them. Do you have any pieces hidden in your drawers?

Silver Polishing Tip

To polish your silver items, close the drain on your kitchen sink. Line the sink with aluminum foil, shiny side facing out. Fill the basin with warm water. Add ¼ cup each baking soda and salt and swish to dissolve. Submerge silver items, turning periodically to rest against another shiny side, until tarnish is gone. Add more water or ingredients as needed. Then rinse and dry.

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