Caring for Your Jewelry

Caring for Your Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling silver tarnishes, it's just a fact of life. Tarnish is caused by a reaction between the silver, oxygen and sulfur. It is also caused by using hair spray, lotions or other personal care products while wearing your jewelry. To avoid getting these products on your jewelry it is a good idea to apply hairspray and perfumes before putting on your jewelry.

Over time sterling silver develops a mellow patina which often results in an appreciated antique look. Often a black oxidation builds up in the fine details which gives your jewelry piece a beautiful and unique look.

If you want to keep your jewelry sparkling silver there are several cleaning options. Common cleaning methods include warm water and mild dish soap using a soft toothbrush or cotton swab. Frequent hand polishing with a soft cloth is also helpful. There are also silver jewelry cleaning cloths that are impregnated with special chemical cleansing agents.

When storing your sterling silver jewelry, you want to avoid scratches and minimize the oxidation process. It is best to store your sterling silver jewelry in an air-tight container lined with something soft. A ziplock baggie works well for this.