Caring for Your Sterling Silver Jewellery

Wear your Sterling Silver Jewellery daily and it will avoid becoming tarnished. The oils in your skin help to keep the Silver clean. Over time it will take on a wonderful silver patina. Sterling silver will tarnish if it comes into contact with household chemicals, perspiration, rubber, chlorinated water or any substance which contains sulphur - think eggs, mustard, onions for example. Be careful around Lotions, cosmetics, hair spray and hair products. If your piece has been intentionally oxidised black then avoid Sea water as this will strip the oxidisation off the Silver.

Storage

If you are not planning on wearing your silver jewellery for awhile then store in either a airtight plastic bag or container in a cool dark place to help prevent the Silver tarnishing.

Cleaning your Sterling Silver Jewellery

Use a special Silver polishing cloth or alternatively a lint-free flannel, microfiber or any soft nonabrasive cloth works well if your jewellery is not tarnished to severely. Do not use paper towels or tissues as their fibres will leave scratches on the surface. If your Sterling Silver Jewellery is heavily tarnished you can make your own environmentally friendly silver cleaner using kitchen ingredients. Note the below methods should be only used for Sterling Silver Jewellery that do not have any Semi or Precious Gemstones or Pearls as part of its design.

Method 1: White vinegar and baking soda

  1. Soak the tarnished piece in a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tbsp. baking soda
(be prepared for the fizzing!) for two to three hours, then rinse and dry.

Method 2: Baking soda, salt, aluminium foil, and boiling water

You can take advantage of a simple chemical reaction to clean your silver: all you’ll need is some baking soda, salt, and aluminium foil.
  1. Line a glass dish or bowl with aluminium foil, dull side facing down.
  2. Place the silver pieces on top of the aluminium foil. Then pour boiling water over the pieces until they are covered and add 2 tbsp. each of baking soda and salt. Stir the solution to allow the baking soda to dissolve — you don’t want any granules scratching the metal.
  3. The reaction causes the tarnish to transfer to the foil, and in about 5-10 minutes you’ll see the
  4. tarnish “magically” disappear from the jewellery.
  5. Remove the silver jewellery from the hot water and drain
  6. Rinse the jewellery with water, then dry and buff with a soft cloth.
Hey Presto! Your silver should be sparkling clean and ready to keep you looking fabulous.
You may need to repeat the above process a couple of times if you have a piece that is heavily tarnished. Ive used Method 2 multiple times and you can use Washing Soda instead of Baking Soda and Salt and you will get the same result.
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