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[C723]Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry

by Martin Mallett, Mar

Whilst silver is a metal, it needs a little care and attention to keep it looking at as good as when you first received it. When looked after properly, silver has a luxurious lustre but without proper maintenance, it tarnishes as the silver reacts with the sulphur and other pollution in the air and discolors the surface. The greater the pollution in the air, the greater the tarnish so you need to take a little extra care if you live in a city.

This need not spoil your enjoyment of your jewellery, however, because with a few simple steps, all your jewellery can be as good as new and just as beautiful as when you first bought it.

Firstly, prevention is better than a cure. When storing your silver jewelry, try and keep it out of the air as much as possible and make sure it’s dry – possibly in a press sealable plastic bag – as humidity can speed up the tarnishing process.

To keep that nice, rich shine use a soft cotton cloth or a jewelry cloth to polish and buff your jewelry. Just a few seconds can achieve a lot but if there’s a lot of tarnish or your piece has hard to reach places (such as a chain or necklace where it’s difficult to get in between the links) it may be necessary to use a dip. Each brand differs slightly so always read the directions but, generally, you submerse your piece of silver for 10 seconds and immediately on taking it out, wash with cold, running water and dry and buff with a jewellers or cotton cloth. Don’t leave your piece of jewelry in the dip for too long – it can lave a residue and, also, don’t use with gemstones as this can damage them.

Lastly, while silver is fairly hardy there are certain chemicals that can damage it such as immersing it in chlorine (such as swimming pool water), salt water and sun tan lotion. Also be careful of household cleaners; all of these can harm the shine of your silver jewelry.

So, with a little time you can prolong the life of your jewelry and your necklaces, bracelets, earrings will look beautiful for many years to come.

Sterling silver jewelry appeals to us. Its bright shine can bring out the beauty in any outfit, from a little black dress to blue jeans. After time, though, the metal starts to tarnish. The silver gleam darkens, and the shine can disappear. Fortunately, it is also easy to clean. Here are a few tips to clean your sterling silver earrings and other jewelry, and prevent tarnish from returning.

Tarnish occurs when metals in sterling silver oxidize; copper is the biggest culprit. Over time, your sterling silver will change color. Fortunately, this is easy to reverse. By using a simple cleaning method, you can restore that beautiful luster. It can literally look like new again. One of these easy methods can make your jewelry shine again.

Ultrasonic cleaners are popular with jewelers. Small units are sold for home use. Fill the reservoir with solution and your jewelry, and then turn it on. In a little while, your silver will look shiny and new. Simply rinse with cool water, then buff for a beautiful shine.

Liquid tarnish removers are commercially available. Dip your jewelry into the tarnish remover according to the manufacturer’s directions. While this method is great for sterling silver, some dips can cause damage to porous stones like amber and pearl. Read the label when choosing a dip to ensure it will be safe for your gemstones. Always read the directions carefully so you don’t ruin precious stones.

A popular home recipe for cleaning sterling silver requires nothing more than some tin foil, baking soda, and hot water. Line the bottom of a glass bowl with tin foil. Place your silver jewelry onto the foil, and then sprinkle it all with a generous spoonful of baking soda. (Some recipes suggest you add salt and dish soap as well, though this is optional.) Cover the foil and jewelry with boiling water and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse your jewelry well with clear water. The tarnish transfers to the foil, leaving you with gleaming sterling silver. Use caution -- boiling water may crack or otherwise damage stones.

Use a clean, soft cloth to gently polish your silver. Some jewelry stores sell special polishing cloths that are impregnated with jewelers’ rouge, a super-fine abrasive designed to buff out any microscopic scratches that dull the shine of your sterling silver jewelry. These cloths are not good choices for plated items, as the rouge will remove the finish over time.

Once you have your jewelry clean, make sure it is completely dry before putting it away. Anti-tarnish strips can be placed in with your jewelry to prevent tarnish. Alternatively, there are also special bags that hold your sterling silver, preventing tarnish from forming. Send your time enjoying your jewelry, not cleaning it!

Article Source : Where Does Silver Come From

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Both Martin Mallett & Sara Berkley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Martin Mallett has sinced written about articles on various topics from Silver Jewelry, Beauty Tips and Silver Jewelry. Martin Mallett is webmaster and co-owner of which is a UK online store supplying silver jewellery gifts.. Martin Mallett's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Sara Berkley has sinced written about articles on various topics from Silver Jewelry, Cubic Zirconia and Jewelry. Sara Berkley is an expert on fine . Her company, Gonna Luv It, carries over 20,000 items of wonderful. Sara Berkley's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.