
January 12, 2024: Taking Care of Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
“If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves. You can gain more control over your life by paying closer attention to the little things.”
~ Emily Dickinson, 1830 – 1886
As jewelry designers, we’re often asked by our customers how to take care of the jewelry they are purchasing. Whether it’s our handcrafted sterling silver & gemstone pieces to our leather ZoBangles, we carefully select our materials for their appearance, characteristics and quality. Taking the proper steps to care for your jewelry helps to preserve the condition and longevity of its sparkling appearance. We have gathered some tried and true steps to help protect and preserve your treasures which include cleaning all the way to storage.
How to Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry
- 1. Mix a solution of warm water and mild dish soap in a bowl.
- 2. Carefully place your sterling silver jewelry in the soap solution and let it soak for a few minutes.
- 3. Place your sterling silver jewelry in the solution and let it soak for a few minutes.
- 4. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or cloth to gently scrub the jewelry, paying extra attention to any crevices or details. Be gentle to avoid scratching the silver.
- 5. Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with water to remove any soap residue.
- 6. Dry the jewelry with a soft cloth or towel, being sure to remove any excess moisture.
Maintaining and Preventing Tarnish Build Up On Sterling Silver Jewelry.
Some tarnishing of sterling silver is inevitable due to factors such as exposure to air, chemicals and mositure. But you can take preventative steps to preserve your jewelry’s appearance.
- Remove jewelry before showering, swimming or exercising.
- Allow time for your perfume, lotions, and creams to be absorbed before putting on your jewelry.
- After wearing, clean your jewelry with a soft, dry cloth (like our Haggery Jewelry Polishing Cloths-https://dreamscapejewelry.com/sunshine-jewelry-cloth/) to remove skin oils and any dirt particles.
- We have discovered Haggerty’s Silver Cleaner to be a highly effective and fast way to clean tarnished sterling silver jewelry. Dip each piece in for NO MORE than ten seconds to restore shimmer and shine. https://dreamscapejewelry.com/haggerty-silver-cleaner-and-tarnish-remover/ Puting pieces in for longer than 10 seconds can inadvertently take away the dramatic appearance of oxidized sterling silver. Additional Note: Not recommended for soft jewelry with “soft gemstones” such as pearls, coral, & tturquoise. To discover more about the hardness of your gemstones*: https://en.oscar-bautista.com/post/mohs-scale-hardest-softest-gemstones
The DO NOTS in Jewelry Care!
- Do not use hot water! Hot water can cause sterling silver to warp and change shape
- Do not use abrasive materials like harsh scrubbing pads and steel wool which can cause scratch marks.
- Do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals. These chemicals can damage the silver anc cause discoloration.
- Do not use ultrasonic cleaners on jewelry with gemstones, as some gemstones can be damaged. (*See link on softness/hardness of gemstones above)
- Do not soak your silver jewelry for extended periods, as this can also cause damage to the metal.
Storing Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
- When not in use, store your jewelry in a cool, dark, dry place to prevent oxidation.
- Separate your jewelry peices. Try not to jumble your jewelry together, especially anything plated to prevent unnecessary scratching,
- You can purchase anti-tarnish strips and which can be put with jewelry into sealed plastic bags
An old but true adage attributed to Benjamin Franklin, is that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure“. Hopefully, these steps of prevention steps will keep your jewelry looking as good as new for years to come.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blogpost and hope that you found this information useful.
Best regards,
Wendy Oellers-Fulmer & Ron Fulmer (aka Silversmith Ron)