Caring for your silver jewellery!

A comprehensive guide to look after and preserve your silver jewellery collection.

What is silver tarnish?

Silver tarnish is a natural reaction that occurs when silver interacts with compounds in the air or certain materials. This reaction results in a dull, discoloured layer on the surface of your jewellery. While tarnish is normal, it can be minimised with proper care.

1. Storage Matters

How you store your silver jewellery can significantly impact its longevity.

• Use Anti-Tarnish Pouches: Store your pieces in pouches or cloths treated with anti-tarnish compounds.
• Choose Airtight Containers: Opt for airtight boxes or containers to limit exposure to air.
• Keep Away from Other Metals: Store silver jewellery separately from other metals to prevent scratching and chemical reactions.

2. Cleaning Your Silver

Regular cleaning is key to maintaining the shine of your silver jewellery.

• Gentle Cleaning: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe your jewellery often. This removes oils and dirt that can accelerate tarnishing. This is the safest way to maintain pearl jewellery too. If the pearls have become quite yellowed, you can add a small amount of mild soap to lukewarm water. Do not use a vinegar solution as the acid can damage the surface of the pearl, and don’t leave them soaking in water for any length of time as the silk thread could become weakened. 

The following steps (for deeper cleaning of silver) should not be used on pearl jewellery.

• Use Fairy Liquid or Silver Polish: For deeper cleaning, use a soft bristled toothbrush and warm water with fairy liquid to gently clean your pieces. If you feel it is necessary you could use a silver polish specifically designed for jewellery. Apply it with a soft cloth, following the product instructions.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Stay away from bleach or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage silver.

3. Wear It Often

Believe it or not, wearing your silver jewellery will help keep it shiny! The natural oils in your skin can create a protective layer on the silver. As well as buffing against clothing fabric etc will help keep it shiny. Just remember to wipe it down after wearing to remove any build up of unwanted residues you may have come in contact with.

However, make sure you remove your jewellery to before working out - not only can sweat cause damage to your pieces over time but for example, wearing rings when lifting weights will distort and damage them and they could also hurt you if they get squashed onto your finger - with a potential trip to A&E to get it cut off! 

4. Limit Exposure

To protect your silver jewellery, try to limit its exposure to:

• Humidity: Avoid wearing silver jewellery while swimming, showering, or exercising, as moisture can speed up tarnishing.
• Sea water: Remember to remove your jewellery before wearing them in the sea - salt water reacts with silver to create silver chloride which darkens over time and speeds up tarnishing. It also damages the silver and can lead to pitting on the surface of your piece. 
• Chemicals: Keep silver away from perfumes, lotions, and cleaning products such as bathroom cleaners and bleach. These will cause corrosive damage over time.

5. Regular Inspections

Periodically check your jewellery for any signs of damage or tarnish. Early detection can prevent more extensive damage and allow for timely, preventative cleaning or repairs.

6. Professional Care

For particularly valuable or intricate pieces, consider taking your silver jewellery to a professional jeweller for a thorough cleaning and inspection. We can offer specialised services for your jewels - if this is something you are interested in please contact us.

Conclusion

Caring for silver jewellery doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right storage, regular cleaning, and mindful wearing habits, you can keep your pieces sparkling for years to come. Remember, a little care goes a long way in preserving your jewels!