In article <v01510102644fdb86cdb8@[204.120.164.72]>
           [log in to unmask] "Indianapolis Art Center" writes:

> Re pure silver not tarnishing--??  I know that pure gold doesn't tarnish,
> but I heard if you have pure gold and pure silver together the pure silver
> WILL tarnish (i.e. niello pieces).  Is this true?
>
> Julia Moore
>
Put _any metal_ next to gold and it will tarnish more quickly than you
would otherwise expect.  I used to know why, but I've forgotten
everything _Chemistry for Conservators_ told me.  I have just examined
a large number of pieces of jewellery at Bucks Co Museum, and those with
some gold (such as gold brooches with copper alloy pins and gilded pieces)
had worse problems than most.


--
Patricia Reynolds
Keeper of Social History, Buckinghamshire County Museum / Freelance Curator

16 Gibsons Green
Heelands
Milton Keynes
MK13 7NH
ENGLAND

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