| Silver is a soft metal that requires ongoing | | | | number of silver spray polish or pastes that can |
| cleaning to maintain its original luster, and proper | | | | work well for heavy cleanings if there is a large |
| storage to prevent scratches. Any jewelry or | | | | tarnish build up. To achieve the best results apply |
| other item made with silver will change color over | | | | the spray or paste on the cloth and work into |
| time due to a natural oxidation process with | | | | lather with your hand first. Tarnish in hard to |
| sulfides in the air. This can cause items to turn | | | | reach areas can be left on to create an antique |
| yellow, and then eventually darken to black over | | | | look and add definition to the jewelry. If you |
| time. | | | | prefer to clean the entire piece you can have it |
| There are several easy tricks of the trade that | | | | professionally done, or use a soft bristle brush. |
| professional jewelers have developed to maintain | | | | Sterling silver dips can be fast and easy but are |
| the beauty of silver jewelry. | | | | not recommended by professional silversmiths |
| Proper Sterling Silver Storage | | | | and jewelers. If using a silver dip it is better to |
| While it's tempting to wear a favorite piece all the | | | | insert the item and remove it quickly, repeating |
| time, you should always remove your jewelry | | | | after rinsing with water, rather than leaving the |
| before using any type of product with chemicals | | | | item in the dip for long periods of time. Follow up |
| or abrasives such as chlorine, bleach, ammonia, | | | | by buffing with a soft cotton cloth. If you leave |
| alcohol, turpentine or acetone. That includes finger | | | | the piece in too long, or don't rinse it well enough |
| nail polish, dish detergent, makeup, and even hair | | | | with fresh water, a white residue will be left which |
| spray! Many of these products can permanently | | | | can be difficult to remove. |
| damage the silver as well as gemstones. | | | | Should you purchase a cleaner or dip, ensure that |
| Dampness, air, and light can cause a piece to | | | | the product is designed for the type of jewelry |
| tarnish so the optimal method for storing sterling | | | | item you want to clean. Dipping is not |
| silver jewelry is in an airtight non-reactive | | | | recommended for liquid silver or silver items with |
| container such as a box lined with special | | | | gemstones, and even paste or spray cleaners |
| non-tarnish material or Mylar or polyethylene bag. | | | | remove the natural luster of stones so be sure to |
| Each piece of jewelry should be placed in its own | | | | remove any trace of cleaner residue and rinse |
| bag so it does not rub up against anything which | | | | each item thoroughly with clean water. |
| could potentially cause scratches, kinks in chains, | | | | Additional Jewelry Cleaning Tips |
| or the damage of a gemstone. | | | | Baking soda is often mentioned a cleaner but |
| Never place your sterling jewelry on wood | | | | some jewelers claim that this method is to |
| surfaces as most wood contains acids which can | | | | abrasive. If you wish to avoid using chemicals and |
| damage the finish. Card board and paper can also | | | | want to try baking soda you should always test a |
| speed up the tarnishing process. | | | | small part of your silver jewelry piece first to see |
| Cleaning Your Silver Jewelry | | | | if leaves any noticeable marks. To use baking |
| The more often you clean each piece the easier it | | | | soda, lightly the item with clean water, the pour |
| is, and the less wear and tear on your jewelry, | | | | baking soda over the jewelry and rub gently with |
| because the tarnish is minimal which allows for | | | | your fingers. Once the tarnish is removed, rinse |
| safer cleaning methods. | | | | with more clean water and dry with an all cotton |
| Silver is a soft metal that can be scratched so be | | | | cloth. |
| careful to rub gently when cleaning. Never use | | | | If your jewelry has been coated with a lacquer |
| anything but a clean nub free cotton or flannel | | | | shield (to slow the tarnishing process) you should |
| cloth, a special sterling silver cleaning cloth, or a | | | | clean the item only after all of the lacquer has |
| very soft bristle brush like a baby's toothbrush or | | | | completely worn off. Cleaning agents can reach |
| a horsehair silver brush. | | | | underneath the lacquer causing residue spotting. |
| To remove light dirt, fingerprints or makeup just | | | | Professional jewelers recommend cleaning your |
| use a couple drops of mild liquid detergent (such | | | | sterling silver jewelry as often as once per |
| as baby shampoo or Woolite) in a cup of warm | | | | month, with a yearly professional cleaning for |
| water and rinse thoroughly with clean fresh water. | | | | luxury and heirloom pieces. Cleaning gives you the |
| Dry it completely and lightly buff with a cotton | | | | chance to also check for loose stones or parts. |
| cloth. Always use a lengthwise motion when | | | | Always have your jewelry repaired right away to |
| washing or drying your jewelry, as a circular | | | | prevent further damage. |
| motion often causes scratching. | | | | Understanding the proper methods for storing and |
| The safest method for removing tarnish is to use | | | | cleaning sterling silver jewelry is essential to the |
| a treated silver buffing cloth, but there are a | | | | life of each piece. |