Although your jewelry may look flashy and glamorous brand-new, that doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way over time. Whether you’re a fan of bright colors in beads or something more sparkly in metals, jewelry needs to receive care to maintain its appeal.
Sterling silver is one jewelry material that’s receiving more popularity for people who are fond of accessorizing. The material features high durability, which can last for decades, making it an excellent addition to your collection.
How to keep your sterling silver from tarnishing
Like pure gold, pure silver doesn’t tarnish. However, sterling silver is a combination of different metals. Sterling silver contains 92.5 % silver and 7.5 % other alloys. Although it’s a small amount, these other metals can cause your bangles, necklaces, and rings to tarnish over time. For this reason, it’s necessary to know how to care for your sterling silver jewelry if you want to maintain its shine.
In this article, we’ll share three maintenance tips to protect your sterling silver jewelry.
1. Keep it away from moisture
Moisture is one of the many contributors of tarnishing metal, which also applies to sterling silver jewelry. This is why you shouldn’t keep your accessories sitting near areas that have high moisture. Kitchens and bathrooms are two areas in your home that contain high levels of humidity and moisture. Generally, you should also avoid wearing or bringing your jewelry near bodies of water like pools and hot tubs.
Part of keeping your jewelry away from moisture is knowing where to store it. Most people tend to leave their accessories next to their bed in the open before they head to bed. This causes them to receive damage from heat, sunlight, and moisture. It’s best to keep it in a dark, cool place, preferably in its own box or bag. You can also purchase anti-tarnish paper strips as an added protection to your jewelry.
2. Don’t use harsh chemicals in cleaning
There are many DIY solutions for maintaining clean and sparkly sterling silver jewelry. For example, a toothpaste and baking soda solution claim to keep its gloss and shine. Although it’s up to you to believe these homemade remedies, you should be mindful of harsh chemicals.
Some of the typical household cleaning ingredients you should avoid are bleach and acetone. Instead of cleaning stains and dirt, they can wear down your silver’s surfaces, which removes both scratches and its shine over time.
3. Clean it immediately at signs of tarnish
If you see signs of tarnishing on your sterling silver, don’t panic. It’s a natural wear and tear that will develop in some accessories more than most, primarily depending on how you maintain them. If the marks don’t come off with a clean cloth, you can still clean it by following these steps:
First, fill a cup with warm water and some drops of mild dishwashing soap. Place your jewelry in the mixed solution and gently wash it. Next, use a cotton swab or baby toothbrush to reach tight corners that you can’t clean by hand. Finally, rinse your jewelry and wipe it down. Ensure that it’s completely dry before you put it back in storage.
Conclusion
Even though sterling silver is one of the toughest pieces of jewelry available, its durability will still depend on its user. Whether you have a robust or fragile piece of accessory, it’s best to understand how to maintain its beauty. Keeping it clean will be an excellent way to preserve its aesthetic appeal when pairing it with different styling options.
Kittie K Ranch and Co is a US-based fashion accessories store that can complete your unique look. Our product line contains American darling bags, dark horse sunglasses, Navajo silver rings, and more! Order from us today to find the right piece to add to your wardrobe.