CARING FOR SILVER JEWELLERY

Sterling silver is an alloy, normally made of 92.5% pure silver and other metals, and tarnishes quickly because of its composition.

If you’re looking at a piece of jewellery that is darkened or appears dirty, then your silver has tarnished. Tarnish is the result of a chemical reaction with oxygen or sulfur particles in the air. Follow the following to take care of your sterling silver jewelry and make it last for years to come.

• Wear it often: your skin’s natural oils will help keep silver jewellery shiny. One of the easiest ways to prevent tarnish is to simply wear your silver often as opposed to letting it sit in a jewellery box unworn.
• Remove during household chores: household cleaners, chlorinated water, perspiration, and rubber will accelerate corrosion and tarnish. It’s a good idea to remove sterling silver completely before cleaning.
• Keep out of direct sunlight: be sure to remove your silver jewellery before going swimming. Sunlight can cause silver to tarnish as well.
• Put your jewellery on last: lotions, makeups, hair spray and perfumes will accelerate tarnishing.

 

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELLERY

 

• Soap and water: This is the most recommended method because of the gentleness of soap and water. Try this first before anything else.
• Finish with a polish: you can finish the cleaning process by using a polishing cloth that’s specifically for sterling silver.

You can repeat this process as often as needed. The key to keeping your sterling silver clean is to keep up with regular cleanings to remove tarnish as it builds.

The following methods CANNOT be used on sterling silver finished with a patina as the patina will be removed.

• Baking soda and water: make a paste from baking soda and water, apply a small amount onto a cloth or tooth brush and scrub gently.
• White vinegar and baking soda: This cleaning method is great for removing heavy tarnish. Soak your sterling silver in ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda (combine these in the sink) for two to three hours. Rinse jewelry and pat dry.

HOW TO STORE YOUR SILVER JEWELLERY

 

• Use an air-tight container: any container can be used to store your silver, as long as its air-tight. Zip-lock bags are great.
• Keep in a cool, dark place as sunlight, heat and moisture accelerate tarnishing. 
• Storing your pieces separately prevents any chance of jewelry scratching or tangling with each other.
• Consider anti-tarnish strips or silica packs: put some anti-tarnish strips or small packets of silica with your jewelry to help prevent tarnishing as they’re great for absorbing moisture.
• Do not store in paper, cardboard, or cotton-filled boxes as these boxes may contain traces of sulfur which will contribute to tarnishing

 

OTHER PRODUCTS TO HELP PREVENT TARNISH

 

• Store jewellery with chalk: a few pieces of chalk will absorb the moisture and help prevent tarnishing.
• Anti-tarnish cloths: Lining your jewellery box with anti-tarnish cloths is a great idea. These cloths absorb sulfur and moisture from the air and are usually chemically treated to prevent tarnish.