Tam relax about the natural tarnish. Silver tarnish is a chemical reaction it is not a physical change. It does not hurt the silver and in fact it's actually good for silver, as it helps to preserve silver!
Not only that, but some people actual like the appearance and how it gives a lovely patina to old silver, myself included. For instance, the natural tarnish of a silver coin is expected by collectors, and is actually proof of its authenticity.
Silver is the most electrically conductive element known to man and sulphur is the most electrically non-conductive element and when they pair together silver TARNISH is the result. Tarnish is actually a protective coating.
Whether it is silver tarnish on your antique cameos which I suspect it may be or niello (nee-EL-oh) a form of enameling incised into portions of the design (Neillo lacks the sheen of other forms of enameling such as plique-a-jour and has a metallic look) I like it and would leave as is.
Im running out of time & space at present but will write about the period in history in which it was crafted tomorrow.
Hi Tam I haven't forgotten you :-) just got busy with hallmark questions.
Just quickly, (I'll get back to your questions about the tarnish over the weekend) but this silver antique jewelry is not 17th or 18th century. That's too early.
You can tell by the hinge on the back of the pendant. It has the more recent hinge that was developed in the 1890's.
