Melchior tableware are an excellent alternative to silverware. Cleaned well-groomed cutlery from nickel silver look expensive and aristocratic. They can be found in the serving tables of the most expensive restaurants.
Melchior Properties
The main components of nickel silver alloy are copper and nickel. Iron and manganese are added to the alloy in small quantities. Elements of the alloy are natural for our body. Copper is involved in protein metabolism and strengthens the bone system. Nickel stabilizes blood sugar levels, normalizes blood pressure. Iron participates in the work of blood-forming organs and immunobiological processes.
Psychologists note that the constant table setting with nickel-silver instruments improves psychological comfort, reduces nervousness and aggression, and contributes to the elimination of depressive states.
Practically all modern recipes of manufacturers provide silvering of tableware from cupronickel. This completely dispelled the health myth of nickel-silver ware, which was based on the toxicity of copper, which constitutes the bulk of the alloy. If you do not clean the products with super-aggressive methods, there will be no contact with copper, the devices will serve not one generation of the owner’s family without the slightest harm, but only with benefit.
The appearance of nickel silver resembles silver, but in shades nickel silver is "warmer".
Melchior products are resistant to corrosion, durable, aesthetic. The ductility of the alloy makes it possible to embody the most daring projects of manufacturers to make products of various shapes with elegant ornaments and openwork stucco. Ideally subjected to stamping, forging, cutting, polishing. High-tech heat treatment of the alloy makes it possible to apply ligature, tracery casting, deep embossing, blacking, anodizing, spraying onto the products.
Types of nickel silver
Nowadays, the demand for nickel silver products is increasing. Consumers appreciated the high aesthetics of appearance, excellent functionality, durability, and financial affordability. Melchior devices are used in everyday life and in a solemn atmosphere. Today, cutlery made of pure nickel silver is practically not found on sale, but many of them are in the family collections that have been inherited. Modern manufacturers use the alloy as the basis. The products are often coated with precious metals (silver, gilding elements).
The blade (cutting part) of table knives in modern sets is made of stainless steel.
The range of nickel silver products is diverse: glass holders, dishes, cutlery, coins, candlesticks and more. The number of devices in modern dining sets the most different. This may be a set of only 4 items for 1 person, or maybe a set of many items for various purposes for several persons. Russia has long been made skillful products from this alloy. Many classical models are still created in the traditional styles of Russian applied art.
Why melchior darkens
The high proportion of copper in the composition of nickel silver and its ability to oxidize explains the appearance of a dark plaque on the products.Particularly intense dark spots appear when improper storage of cutlery in conditions of open contact with air and high humidity. The aesthetic appearance is lost, the products become unattractive and it is unlikely that anyone would like to lay out such devices for their family on the table, not to mention receiving guests. If this situation does happen, the instruments will need thorough cleaning.
How to clean
The modern chemical industry offers many special products for cleaning nickel silver: liquids, gels, impregnated wipes. It is an effective means of saving time and effort. If you have problems with dishes, you can always contact the jewelry workshopwhere experts will provide high-quality service for the return of products of decent appearance.
It is easy to deal with the problem at home, especially when you consider that the services of jewelers are not cheap.
With the help of available tools you can quickly and effectively clean the darkened cutlery. The method of cleaning depends on the type of product and the degree of darkening. Here is a list of available tools that will not harm the metal and return the original shine to the products.
- Alcohol. If the devices are slightly dimmed, you can wet the flannel napkin with vodka or alcohol and wipe them.
- Vinegar. Dilute 1 teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of warm water, soak a soft cloth in the solution and wipe the devices.
- Baking soda. Apply soda to a soft, damp sponge and carefully polish the product. In the prepared solution (50 g of soda in 1 liter of water), immerse the product for rinsing, rinse with cold water and wipe dry. Recommended after each use.
- Eggshell. You will need a shell from 2 raw eggs and 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, immerse the devices for 2–3 minutes in a decoction, then rinse and dry.
- Garlic husks. This is an effective way for highly contaminated appliances. Put more husks in a container, pour water on it, put it on fire, bring it to a boil, put the appliances into the decoction and boil until the dishes glisten. Boiling time depends on the degree of contamination of devices. Do not worry - the heat of boiling broth will not cause any harm to the metal.
- Milk serum. Immerse the nickel silver devices into warm whey for 15–20 minutes, then remove and rub with a soft sponge or cloth, wash and dry (wipe).
- Carbonated drinks. Spread out the products at the bottom of the container and pour soda without dyes until completely immersed for 2 hours, rinse and wipe.
Absolutely after any method of cleaning, the devices are rinsed with running water and rubbed dry with a soft cloth, then cleaned for proper storage.
In addition to these, there are many other ways to clean nickel silver, but in everyday life it will be quite enough given.
Features of care and storage
Compliance with simple rules will significantly reduce the frequency of cleaning cutlery from nickel silver. Here are a few nuances of care:
- Soviet-era nickel silverware (early antiques) should not be washed in a dishwasher;
- wipe dry immediately after washing with a soft towel, preventing drying in the dryer;
- use soft, natural, lint-free fabrics (cotton, flannel);
- when cleaning, it is preferable to use special jewelry tools (for example, “Kupel”, “Aladdin”, “Relish”);
- do not use abrasives in order to avoid micro-scratches on the products;
- do not expose to strong mechanical stress in order not to accidentally deform the product;
- storage in the vicinity of chlorine-containing substances is prohibited, they activate the oxidative processes of the metals that make up the alloy;
- store without access of air in a dry place in a special case or in a closed container, as an option - wrapped in paper, food film, foil; you need to wrap each item separately; Melchior dislikes contacts;
- with rare use of devices, regularly conduct inspection and preventive cleaning of devices, even if the appearance of the products seemed flawless.
Fulfilling simple rules, it will be possible to maintain the noble, brilliant, beautiful appearance of cutlery for a long time.
Do not forget about rubber gloves, since dark oxides are hardly washed off the skin of the hands.
If you are going to buy a nickel silver table set, you must pay attention to the labeling of the product. It is necessary to choose products of well-known proven manufacturers, which label products with their own stamp (sample), where the composition of the alloy is indicated. If the product is not properly labeled, then it may not be nickel silver, but fake. Kolchugin Melchior and products of the Mstera brand are especially popular in Russia and abroad. Brand products are not cheap, but the high quality of the alloys, the uniqueness of the samples and the diversity of the range justify the financial costs of buyers. With proper use, care and storage of such dishes will last more than a decade, it can be passed down as a worthy value.
How to clean nickel-dishware, see below.
