Caring for Yor Silver

 Sterling Silver is a popular material for jewelry for its versatility and beauty. Over time, the metal can tarnish so it’s important to properly care for your Sterling Silver jewelry to keep it looking as beautiful as the first day you received it. Proper care includes being mindful of how you store, wear, and clean your jewelry.

Tarnishing, also known as oxidation, is caused when oxygen or sulfur comes into contact with Sterling Silver. It gives it a darker color. Sterling Silver comes in different levels of purity, most of our jewelry is 925 Sterling Silver. 92.5%, AKA 925 is the standard for Sterling Silver Jewelry. You can find purity information for the piece(s) you are interested in in the description section of each item.

If your jewelry appears darkened or dirty, then your silver has tarnished; but you can get it looking brand new by following the steps below. 

NOTE: It’s important to note that some pieces are oxidized during creation, this is done causing the piece to have a black patina giving it an antique look it’s also useful to contrast gemstone colors. 

HOW TO CLEAN STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

• Clean/Polish: Our recommended method is to use the provided polishing cloth that’s specifically designed for Sterling Silver.
  • Frequently rotate to a new section of the cloth.
  • Avoid areas that are intentionally oxidized.
  • Do not rub in a circular pattern, follow the grain of the silver.
  • Avoid rubbing too hard on engraved sections.

  · Baking soda and water:  Make a paste from baking soda and water, apply a small amount onto a cloth or toothbrush and scrub gently, then polish with our provided cloth· 

  White vinegar and baking soda: This gentle cleaning method is great for removing heavy tarnish. Soak your sterling silver in ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tbsp of baking soda for two to three hours. Rinse jewelry, pat dry, then polish with our provided cloth.·

   Severe Tarnish: If you have severe tarnishing consider sending your Sterling Silver Jewelry to a professional for cleaning.Keep up with regular cleanings to remove tarnish as it builds. Your job becomes much more difficult if you let a piece accumulate a lot of tarnish and then try to remove it all at once.TARNISH PREVENTION TIPSKnowing what’s harmful to your Sterling Silver jewelry helps to combat tarnish. Here’s a list of general care tips.· 

  Wear it often: Your skin’s natural oils will help keep silver jewelry shiny. One of the easiest ways to prevent tarnish is to simply wear your silver often as opposed to letting it sit in a jewelry box unworn.· 

  Remove during household chores: Household cleaners or foods with sulfur and chlorinated water will accelerate tarnishing. It’s a good idea to remove sterling silver completely before cleaning or preparing sulfur-rich foods.·

   Keep out of pools and saltwater Before heading to the beach or pool, be sure to remove your silver jewelry. · 

  Put your jewelry on last: Lotions, makeups, hair spray, and perfumes will accelerate tarnishing.· Use our jewelry cloth: We provide a jewelry cleaning cloth with all purchases, use it often to keep your jewelry looking great.HOW TO STORE STERLING SILVER JEWELRY· 

  Use an air-tight container: Any container can be used to store your silver, Zip-lock bags are great, but you can also use specialty jewelry bags as a more attractive option.· 

  Keep in a cool, dark place: Be sure to keep your silver in a cool, dark place.· 

  Store pieces individually: Storing your pieces separately prevents any chance of jewelry scratching or tangling with each other.· 

  Anti-tarnish cloths: Lining your jewelry box with our anti-tarnish cloths is a great idea. These cloths absorb sulfur and moisture from the air and are chemically treated to prevent tarnish. You can also keep anti-tarnish strips with your jewelry.· 

  Store jewelry with chalk: If you place a few pieces of chalk in with your Sterling Silver, the chalk will absorb the moisture and help prevent tarnishing.· 

  Store jewelry with silica packs: When you buy new clothes or shoes, sometimes you’ll find silica packs with them. Keep these and place them in your jewelry box. They’re great for absorbing moisture.· 

  Do not store in the paper, cardboard, or cotton-filled boxes: These boxes may contain traces of sulfur which will contribute to tarnishing.

  
  In Closing

  To properly care for Sterling Silver Jewelry, give a little extra thought to how you store, wear, and polish it. Store your jewelry in a dry and air-tight place, separating each piece. Wear your jewelry often but be sure to remove it when working with certain chemicals or foods that contain sulfur. As a rule of thumb, it’s always best to put on your jewelry last when getting dressed. Polishing your jewelry before it becomes too tarnished will minimize the amount of work needed but be sure to use the right type of cloth and stroke pattern. All of this will help keep your Sterling Silver Jewelry looking brilliant for years to come.