help needed, silver quaich

[aonghas]

I was recently told that a silver quaichs are toxic when used with alcohol (scotch etc..)
I was planing to get one for my wife as an anniversary gift 40+ yrs
I don't want to make her sick or worse.

[artificer]

sterling silver is NOT toxic, pewter might be (due to lead content) if it's from a suspicious source.

In fact, silver can be toxic to certain bacteria and fungi, and it's ability to bind with certain other elements can actually help purify whatever you're drinking (in an albeit minor way). That said, many silver SALTS are poisonous to humans.

ith:

[unixken]

I wouldn't recommend that she eat the quaich itself of course, but occasional incidental contact between the silver and the quaich's contents should not be of sufficient concern. Think of all the sterling silver that has been used in food and drink silverware, flatware, and drinking vessels over the years. Sterling has a composition of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. "Pure" silver is usually 99.99% silver.

In the context of toxicity, trace levels of polish and cleaning agents left behind on the silver (particularly those trapped within the lines and grooves of an engraved surface) would pose a greater risk to health, than the actual silver itself. When you clean and polish the quaich be sure to rinse well and wipe dry.

Whichever type of silver (pure or sterling) your quaich is, keep it clean, keep it handy, and enjoy the occasional toast from it.