How to clean up the silver on a bead you made

[Kathy_Sheridan]

The silver wire I use to decorate glass beads is not shiny when I finish them. They are a dull grey. How do I clean them up? I was thinking maybe a pickle pot, but I am unsure and maybe there is a better way.

Thanks.

[ESC]

Kathy, I just use a silver polish cloth and gently rub the bead. Do NOT put in the pickle pot or silver polish dip. Any fumed silver or silver glass will immediately be stripped from the surface.

[KJohn]

if they are dull gray then perhaps you are using sterling silver? Happened to me recently ugh. Fine silver is never grey when you are done torching.

[Kathy_Sheridan]

I am using sterling silver. I didn’t even think about that.

Thanks for the warning regarding pickling!

I have another silver question. I see beads that have big silver dots that look like they are glass. What glass can I use for that? I assume it’s a reducing glass? Which one do you guys like?

[ESC]

Almost any of the Double Helix reducing glasses will do that, but my favorites are Aurae, Oxalis, Elektra,Thallo and Triton.

[Kathy_Sheridan]

ESC thank you so much 😊