Maggie's Farm

I would not hesitate to clean the mouthpiece of a musical instrument with this method, but as a former professional silversmith I have grave reservations about the baking soda/foil approach. While championed as "green" and "safe" it still removes substrate as any tarnish removal process will. The baking soda cleaning gives you an indiscriminate cleaning, and the much appreciated oxidation in repousee, applique or engraving that remains with paste polish will be lost. If you have modern, department store flatware, and the highest and best value is basically scrap (which is a lot now), shine it however you like. If you must polish vintage or rare silver, use something like Weiman's (formerly Gorham) polish with a very light touch. Never, and I mean never, polish old Navajo or Zuni jewelry.

You are doing the right thing. Navajo jewelry of that era is often called "dead pawn" or "old pawn" because the Navajo used it as a means to get cash. If your pieces have maker hallmarks, even better. We have a nearly black from tarnish Sioux squash blossom necklace found by by an ancestor who was an army surgeon in the Indian Wars. Luckily it lay forgotten in a trunk for a century and the patina remained intact.

Well thank you for your kind words. By all means wear everything that seems sturdy and sound. There should be no problem in wrapping your pieces in silver cloth. It sounds like you have a very good necklace indeed.

I would contact a dealer specialist and get some names. Otherwise I suggest not re-stringing the necklace as the chain might be integral to the value. The fact that your necklace is so heavy is very good!