01-15-2003, 08:55 AM
Metal corrosion does indeed depend greatly on the soil type. I know very little about such effects on silver and gold but I have picked up a fair deal on knowledge about iron and bronze corrosion in my other hobby - collecting ancient and medieval maces, spurs and armour fragments.
For example, I have seen many dug swords from the 12th century in an extremely wide range of conditions from largely eaten away fragments to almost prefectly preserved swords with a layer of hard encrustation on top. I know a museum expert in London wo can often tell you what river a medieval sword was pulled from simply by looking at it - the corrosion and patination patterns come in so many varieties.
I have also seen and handled medieval and viking era jewelery with intact, though damaged enamel!! This stuff has been buried for about 15-20 times longer than a dug WWII award and likely had poorer quality enamel to start with.
I would be interested to hear from anyone on silver and "modern" enamel corrosion properties.
Shawn
For example, I have seen many dug swords from the 12th century in an extremely wide range of conditions from largely eaten away fragments to almost prefectly preserved swords with a layer of hard encrustation on top. I know a museum expert in London wo can often tell you what river a medieval sword was pulled from simply by looking at it - the corrosion and patination patterns come in so many varieties.
I have also seen and handled medieval and viking era jewelery with intact, though damaged enamel!! This stuff has been buried for about 15-20 times longer than a dug WWII award and likely had poorer quality enamel to start with.
I would be interested to hear from anyone on silver and "modern" enamel corrosion properties.
Shawn
