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Care & Storage of Silver Bars

If you are an investor or a collector, you may be aware of the many advantages of investing in precious metals such as silver. Silver can be a great addition to a portfolio of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. While many like to collect silver coins and rounds, some like to invest in silver bars. Make sure you know how to care and store your silver bars to prevent depreciation from exposure to damaging elements.

Cleaning the Silver Bars
- You may want to routinely clean your silver bars to preserve them better. To maintain a shiny appearance invest in a polishing cloth. A toothpick moistened with water may also help remove debris stuck in the crevices of the silver bar. While there are several liquid silver dips on the market, use great caution because they contain acids. It is far less risky to swab the
  
  solution onto the silver bar and rinse, than to dip the bar directly into the solution. If you feel unsure about doing this yourself, you can always consult with a professional.
Protecting the Silver Bars
- You must protect your silver bars to protect your assets. All it takes is one small flaw to depreciate the value of your investment. Exposure to air, for instance, may tarnish the bars over time or cause them to change color. Humidity may cause spots. Consider investing in special containers made exclusively for storing precious metals, or wrap the bars in acid-free tissue, place them in silver cloth and finally inside sealed polyethylene plastic bags. The addition of anti-tarnishing strips is also recommended, according to the Bishop Museum.
Storing the Silver Bars
- Once you have protected your silver bars, your next step is to decide where to store them. If you live in a bad neighborhood, you best bet is to rent a security box at your bank. If you wish to store them at home, a concealed wall space or a false wall may be an ideal spot. Fire-proofing your storage space is a must since silver can be destroyed by fire. A large fire-proof safe that can be bolted to the ground may work well.
Handling the Silver Bars
- Every once in a while, you may need to handle the silver bars, either for cleaning purposes or simply to check or admire your investment. Use a dish cloth or tissue as a buffer. Never touch the silver directly with your bare hands because your hands are rich in damaging body oils and salts. You can use cotton or latex gloves, never use rubber gloves -- they emit sulfur and may tarnish your silver.

Other Collecting