These old, tarnished silver thimbles came over from England to me after my Brother died two years ago. They belonged to my Mother, who loved needlework, and brought back many fond memories. As well as making all her own clothes and mine, she also taught needlework in a secondary school for a number of years. When I saw my two daughters in the last few days, I passed on one of Grandma's thimbles to each of them. I think I would much rather see silver than tarnish, but I guess you aren't supposed to clean old things.