Storing Bunad Silver – How to Avoid Tarnish

Why bunad silver blackens

To store silver correctly it helps to know why it blackens. Silver tarnishes when it meets sulphur compounds in the air, and moisture and skin contact speed the process up. The tarnish is not dirt, but a thin layer that settles on the surface and turns the silver yellow, grey and eventually black. The goal of storage is therefore simple: keep sulphur, moisture and air away from the silver, and it stays bright on its own.

How to store bunad silver safely

The storage itself you do easily at home. The key is clean, dry and airtight, separate from the textile:

1. Wipe the silver gently clean and dry before storage – skin oils, sweat and polish residue cause tarnish if left to sit.
2. Put the silver in a sealed bag or box with an anti-tarnish strip or cloth, which absorbs sulphur in the air.
3. Add a small sachet of silica gel to keep the humidity down, especially if you live somewhere damp or store the silver for a long time.
4. Wrap each piece separately in acid-free tissue, so the pieces don't rub against each other and scratch the filigree.
5. Store the silver separate from the bunad, in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature.

Never near the bunad silver

Just as important as what you use is what you keep away. Several common materials contain sulphur or acid and cause tarnish – some even leave permanent black marks:

• Rubber bands and rubber: the classic, ruinous mistake. Rubber contains sulphur and leaves black marks exactly where the band touches the silver – never use a rubber band around bunad silver.
• Newspaper and cardboard: contain sulphur and acids that cause tarnish; always choose acid-free tissue instead.
• Wool and felt: naturally sulphur-bearing, so a wool cloth or felt pouch is poor packaging for silver.
• Ordinary plastic bags and PVC: can give off substances that attack silver, and trap moisture. Use a sealed bag made for silver, or a box with an anti-tarnish cloth.

Handling: small habits that prevent tarnish

How you touch and wear the silver when it's out of storage matters a lot for how often it blackens:

• Handle the silver with clean, dry hands and hold it by the edges – skin oils and salt speed up tarnish.
• Put the silver on last when you dress, after perfume, hairspray and lotion, which both tarnish and can pit the silver.
• Wipe the silver gently with a soft cloth after wearing, before you put it away, so sweat doesn't sit on the surface.
• Polish as rarely as possible – correct storage means you rarely need to, and every polish wears down the filigree.

When the silver needs more than storage

The storage itself is a home task, and well-stored silver you manage fine yourself. But if the silver is already deeply tarnished and black, the filigree sits loose, or a pin or catch is bent or broken, it is specialist work – real cleaning and repair of bunad silver is a job for a goldsmith or silversmith, not a home task. If you would rather not risk it yourself, we can look after your bunad silver on request: send it to us from anywhere in Norway and describe what you'd like in the comment field. You see the price before you order.

Frequently asked questions