Silver jewellery can serve its owner for a long time if you take proper care of it.
If you do not remove the ring when washing dishes or during hard physical work, do not be surprised that it becomes covered with scratches, loses its shine and, possibly, bends.
In this article, you will find some basic tips you can use to take care of silver jewellery.
How to store silver jewellery
Keep your silver jewellery in a dry place as high humidity can tarnish silver faster. You can even place some moisture-absorbing materials in the jewellery box (e.g.white chalk or silica gel).
Separate silver jewellery items from other metals. It is recommended to store silver jewellery separately from other metals, as different metals can negatively affect each other. Also, store jewellery with and without stones separately.
Don't pile up jewellery. That can become one of the main reasons for your silver items to be damaged. It is advisable to purchase a special box with compartments for earrings, rings, etc. If you don't have one, just pack each of them in a separate bag. This will at least soften the touch when searching for the desired jewellery.
Temperature matters. Silver does not like sudden temperature changes. You should not store it near heat sources, for example, next to a radiator or stove.
Here are some jewellery storage ideas on Pinterest. Get inspired.
How to clean silver jewellery
Silver items can get tarnished over time. But you will make the beautiful metal shine again as before. Here is how to clean your silver jewellery,
Give your silver jewellery a quick polish gently cleaning them with a soft material cloth.
Water & baking soda method. You will need 2 parts water to 1 part baking soda (use a bit more water if the jewellery has delicate features). Stir into a paste. Use an old toothbrush or cleaning wand to apply this DIY cleaner in gentle motions and movements. Rinse with water and dry.
Dish liquid and water. Simply rinse the jewellery off in the same way you would clean your own hands.
Salt water method. Pour a glass of water into a saucepan and add 1 teaspoon of salt, stir well. Now place the silver jewellery that needs cleaning into the pot and bring the water to a boil. Let the water boil for 10-15 minutes - this will be enough to achieve the desired effect. Then take the pot off the stove, remove the items and rinse them in warm water. Be careful not to burn yourself!
White vinegar and water. Simply combine equal parts of both ingredients in a bowl and mix them together. Soak a soft toothbrush in the solution and gently brush the tarnished areas of your silver jewellery.
Toothpaste method. Apply a small amount of toothpaste on tarnished area, rub gently and then rinse off with warm water. I used to practice this method quite often, but recently more experts advise to avoid it arguing that toothpaste can damage silver.
Finally, there are other professional cleaning liquids on the market which you can buy online or from special stores. They can polish your silver jewellery within seconds, but all those liquids contain chemicals and usually designed for really hard cases. If you clean your jewellery once or twice a week, you might never need those special cleaning materials.
Other important tips to consider
- Take your jewellery off when:
exercising
showering, bathing or swimming (I always forget :( )
applying creams and make-up
doing dishes
working hard (gardening, home renovation, etc.)
preparing to go to bed
The above is recommended to avoid your jewellery items getting in contact with moisture, prevent tangling, scratching and bending.
By Lusine