Silver Jewellery Care and Cleaning

Sterling silver is a mixture of two metals, silver and copper. The copper adds strength to the silver but unfortunately also causes the sterling silver to tarnish over time. This is completely normal for sterling silver jewellery and can be easily prevented and removed.

General Care for Silver Jewellery

• Store silver jewellery in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Humidity and heat can cause silver to tarnish.

• Clean silver jewellery regularly using a soft, lint-free cloth. You can also use a mild soap and water, or a commercial silver cleaning solution. If you want to give it a gentle scrub, and old toothbrush is a perfect tool.

• Avoid exposing silver jewellery to harsh chemicals, such as bleach and chlorine, as these can cause discoloration.

• If your silver jewellery becomes tarnished, you can use a silver polish or a paste made from baking soda and water to gently buff out the tarnish. Rinse the jewellery thoroughly and dry it with a soft cloth.

• To prevent tarnish, you can also store silver jewellery in airtight bags or containers with a packet of silica gel, which absorbs moisture.

• If your silver jewellery has gemstones or other delicate elements, be extra careful when cleaning it to avoid damaging these parts. You may want to bring it to a professional jeweler for cleaning.

Cleaning Silver Jewellery

To clean your silver jewellery at home, you'll need a few basic supplies:

• A soft, lint-free cloth
• A small bowl or dish
• Baking soda
• Hot water
• White vinegar (optional)

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Mix a small amount of baking soda with hot water in the bowl or dish to create a cleaning solution.

2. Dip the cloth into the solution and use it to gently scrub the silver jewellery.

3. Rinse the jewellery thoroughly under warm water to remove the cleaning solution.

4. Dry the jewellery with the soft, lint-free cloth.

If your silver jewellery is particularly tarnished or dirty, you may need to use a stronger cleaning solution. In this case, you can mix equal parts white vinegar and baking soda to create a paste. Apply the paste to the silver jewellery and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it off with a soft cloth and rinsing it under warm water.

Remember to handle silver jewellery gently, as it can be easily damaged or scratched. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or harsh chemicals on your silver jewellery, as these can cause damage.