Polishing Sterling Silver and Silver plate

I am a long time eBay seller. I sell a wide variety of vintage and antique items. I enjoy collecting Antique silver flatware and Jewelery. The most important thing about polishing silver is you do NOT always polish it. Trust me. This is a rule that did not need to be broke in this case.  I  used a Tarn-ex type remover that ruined my antique cuff links. It was the kind of remover that you dip an item quickly in and then out of. It was a clear and watery liquid. It instantly removed all tarnish leaving a bright dull white silver finish. The face on the design had changed from detailed to plain. The dark intricate depth of realistic design was lost. I then went to research the rare Taxco Mexico designer cuff links. I found it was so well liked and rare they now make new cuff links of the old original design from the 1940's. I had the old 1940's original cuff links, not the new reproductions. Who would know now because mine look just like the new ones with zero tarnish.  I sadly had ruined them. You could no longer see the old tarnish(the patina) that developed over years of time and proved them to be the original old sought after cuffs.  If you do remove the tarnish you can use a gentle method of quality soft pasty foam. Please use a very soft none scratchy cloth. If you choose to remove the tarnish of an item make sure it is appropriate to improve not hurt the value. Traditionally remove tarnish in high areas and usually you do not remove tarnish in lower areas of designs. Silver is often used because of the ability to tarnish adding depth which increase's the beauty of the design. Some newer items of simple Modern Design look great and much better polished. Research your unique item BEFORE making your decision to polish or not to polish. Remember silver is SOFT. It will scratch and you can ruin the surface with to harsh or to dry of a paste. A cloth that is not soft enough does the same damage. Trust me I have done all of the above mistakes. As a general guild the older the silver item the least amount of polishing. Tarnish can quickly be removed. Tarnish can never be put back on.