Sterling silver is famous for its elegance, versatility, and timelessness. It is a metal piece that every woman must have in their collection, and one which has been worn for any occasion for centuries, yet never goes out of style.
However, the only downside of sterling silver is that it easily tarnishes compared to any other material. But, not to worry! Tarnishing can be prevented if you are equipped with the knowledge in taking care of your pieces. In this article, you will learn that sterling silver care is easy, quick, and convenient.
Here are some of the right tricks and techniques:
Know the sterling silver content
There is a difference in the cleaning method depending on the silver content of your jewelry. For instance, jewelry pieces made of 95% silver should be consistently polished, compared to pieces with 92.5% silver like 925 sterling zircon necklace, which requires less cleaning because it is sturdier.
If you are unsure of the silver content of your jewelry, check with the jewelry shop where you purchased it from or, from other jewelry services. The next time you buy silver pieces, make sure to know the digits for authenticity and maintenance purposes.
Keep your silver jewelry dry
Water itself does not damage your jewelry pieces. What causes the tarnishing are the chemicals and contaminants in the water, so it is necessary to know what is what when it comes to water.
For instance, the water in the shower does not exactly cause tarnishing, but instead, the residue from your shampoo and the soap might do the damage.
Should you accidentally forget to remove them, make sure to dry your jewelry after getting out of the bath. But, you should never forget to remove your silver jewelry in swimming pools or jacuzzis. Chlorine is a harsh chemical which can quickly cause your jewelry in tarnished and dull-looking silver.
Maintain proper storage
Air exposure and humidity can accelerate tarnishing of your silver jewelry pieces. So, make sure to never leave your jewelry lying on your nightstand, or forget to close your jewelry box.
According to jewelry experts, silver pieces are best stored individually in airtight bags with anti-tarnish properties. To absorb excess humidity, you can even thrown in silica bag gels or a chalk in your jewelry box.
Take off your jewelry every once in a while
Sometimes, jewelry pieces are hard to take off for several reasons. Some people never remove their favorite pieces due to sentimental reasons, and it is understandable. But, taking them off every once in a while is critical to preserve its quality.
Sweat, chlorine, UV rays and humidity can quicken the tarnishing of the pieces and corrode the lustrous effect of the silver. It is better to remove them some times than to have a completely irreparable jewelry, right?
Take your jewelry pieces off when you are doing household chores, exercising, and swimming. You should also remove them when you are dressing up, like putting on your lotion or your makeup.
Also read: 5 CHARMING GIFTS TO MAKE YOUR PARENTS FEEL JOYFUL
Polish it nicely
Despite your efforts in keeping it clean, and storing it properly, your silver pieces need polishing every once in a while. Use a simple microfiber or jewelry cloth to clean your pieces by making long up and down strokes. Avoid using tissues or toilet papers.
