how can silver be prevented from tarnishing?

Answer 1

It's the exposure to air and moisture that tarnishes silver items.

You will find many people dip their silverware in a clear lacquer to seal it and thereby prevent oxidation. You could attach a sacrificial anode as well.

Of course these solutions arent necessarily practical for cutlery or utensils which may be used for food or drink.

Unfortunately there's not much that can be done in this instance except to use some elbow grease and a good silver polish.

...done regularly, the tarnish doesnt have time to build up as much and the job becomes so much easier.

Hope this is of some help.
Cheers :)

Answer 2

Wrap it in plastic and keep it sealed forever.

2Ag + H2S ===> Ag2S + 2H+

Failing that, polish the silver frequently with gentle treatment such that the Ag2S is removed, but the Ag or Ag plate is preserved.

The same goes for gold-plated flatware. I feed our cats with a gold-plated fork. But gold is mechanically weak. Never "scrub" gold with an abrasive. "Rub" it clean gently.

Answer 3

Wrap it tightly in plastic so it is not exposed to the air. Silver oxidizes upon exposure to oxygen

Answer 4

Placed in a vacuumated flask or immersed in an organic solvent.