The Ultimate Silver Jewelry Care Guide — How to Maintain the Luster of Silver Jewelry

The appeal of silver jewelry is understated; it has a timeless, variable and elegant look. Yet, as a precious item, it requires care in order to maintain its best appearance.

The truth?

Silver jewelry care can actually be simpler than one thinks!

By making a few simple changes to the way you wear and care for silver jewelry, you will find that you'll be able to make your favorite pieces last for many years to come — even decades.

What causes silver to tarnish?

Sterling silver (the .925 silver) contains a small amount of an alloy (usually copper) which causes the silver to tarnish when exposed to moisture, air or other chemical substances. The oxygen in these products creates a chemical reaction between the silver and the copper and will produce a dull coating called tarnish over time.

In actuality, sterling silver jewelry is made with the same materials that are used to produce beautiful sterling silver jewelry pieces — including some of my favorite pieces,

— and all silver jewelry pieces can eventually get some tarnishing after a while; however, they can usually be restored easily.

Everyday habits can help make silver jewelry shine like new!

Wear jewelry frequently

Did you know that wearing silver jewelry on a regular basis can actually prevent it from tarnishing? Because when you wear silver jewelry, the oil from your skin will help to keep it looking shiny and polished!

Some of my favorite pieces to wear on a daily basis are the ; however, no matter what piece of jewelry you are wearing on a daily basis, you will enjoy keeping both the shine and style of that piece intact!

Store silver jewelry properly

When storing your silver jewelry, be sure to use either soft pouches or store them separately (in different storage areas) from your other jewelry pieces so that they don't get scratched, damaged or tarnished from exposure to air.

Jewellery should be applied last.

The application of perfume, lotions, and hairspray can create tarnish and should not be done before the application of any type of jewellery.

Cleaning Silver Occupations

For light cleaning:

Use a soft polishing cloth to polish jewellery and restore lustre.

For heavy cleaning:

Mix mild soap and warm water,then place jewellery into the mixture for a quick rinse.To clean the jewellery use a soft brush,then dry well with a soft towel.

Use gentle cleaning of delicate designs like the ....that have designs which require fine detailing;to prevent them from losing too much detail, use a gentle cleaning method.

Cleaning methods to avoid

Avoid water Remove your jewellery before entering the water (swimming or bathing),as it can become tarnished.

Avoid chemicals Household products such as cleaners, perfumes, and chlorine can cause damage to silver.

Avoid rough storage Mixing metals together when storing separately can cause scratches to occur on one another,even some of the strongest,fine silver jewellery.....should also be stored carefully to preserves the finish.

Long term care tips

 

Polish your pieces occasionally By using the silver polishing cloth, you will maintain the brightness of your polished pieces.

Rotate your pieces by wearing the same piece every day This will help to reduce wear and prolong the use of each piece.

Professional cleaning 

Professional cleanings for intricate detail and heavy tarnish will add longevity to silver pieces.

Do you know how to take care of your everyday pieces?

If you wear these types of jewellery every day, it requires a regular amount of care, whereas other styles may require it for only special occasions. While simple styles, such as the simple silver, pearl, or gold items, may appear to be no maintenance, with a little extra cleaning and proper storage, they will look fresh for years.

When you have silver items that require you to take care of them, they do not lose their value. They simply require some care and attention from you. Sterling silver, unlike plated jewellery, can always be: clean, restored, and worn again. Therefore, silver jewellery is a long-term companion and not a short-term piece of jewellery.

Final Note:

Caring for silver jewellery is not about how much work is required to care for it, but rather is a matter of constant attention. Occasionally cleaning your silver pieces and developing the habit of cleaning them regularly will keep the shine of your pieces in great condition for many, many years. This is because true jewellery is not to be worn but to last. With proper care, you can have your silver pieces looking brand new forever.