Product Care
Silver
Most silversmithing Hamish makes is made to be used. It is perfectly safe to do so and with proper care will require minimal cleaning with harsh chemicals.
At the end of the day when you have finished using your pieces it’s advised to rinse the pieces with warm water from the tap. Then using some dish soap and a soft sponge or microfibre cleaning cloth wipe the inside and outside of the object where possible. If the piece is unable to be reached by hand, in the case of a jug for example, simply swill the warm soapy water around the inside of the vessel, rinse and , where possible dried with paper towels.
When an object has become heavily tarnished and lost their lustre, this is where heavier cleaning is required. Hamish recommends a product called Hagarty silver foam. The instructions are provided with the product but are simple and easy to follow. A small amount of the pink paste is applied to the sponge provided and, with warm water it is rubbed across the whole surface of the object. This is then rinsed off with warm water and, where possible it is dried with paper towels.
Bronze
Bronze is a copper based alloy of metal which requires similar but different care.
Hamish tends to leave his bronze work with a patina or highly polished.
In the case of patinated bronze, the surface is sealed with a beeswax which leaves a protective surface on the object. As the object ages the patina can change over time. Depending on environmental conditions this can range from a few months to multiple years.
Cleaning for your bronze patinated objects can be done as simply as using a silver cloth to wipe the surface to remove and initial tarnish that may have appeared. If the tarnish has progressed too far for the silver cloth to remove effectively it is best to have the piece professionally cleaned. Hamish provides a cleaning service for pieces he has made. If you would like to book a cleaning service for your piece of silver please use the contact form above.
Repairs
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Not only that, but silver tarnishes. These are facts of life.
But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with problems.
From scratches and dents to worn away gold plating, Hamish can repair and restore your cherished item to its full glory.
Cleaning
Hamish’s provides a cleaning service for silver items with extreme tarnishing. Or for clients who don’t feel comfortable cleaning their silver.
He recommends using Hagerty products to clean his work. In particular, ‘Hagerty Silver and Multimetal Foam’ as it is the most gentle.
Plating
Gold plating is the process of applying a thin layer of gold to another metal.
It can be a beautiful addition to any piece. However, this decorative element can wear down over time.
If you have bought something before from Hamish and your gold plating has faded to the metal below, he can re-finish the metal and apply a new gold layer to restore it’s shine.