With the right amount of care, your jewelry can last a lifetime. Discover a handy guide for everyday sterling silver maintenance to keep your pieces gleaming.
Keyword(s): sterling silver care
Typically, sterling silver can endure 20 to 30 years of wear if well maintained. However, with proper care, it can remain beautiful indefinitely.
Composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, sterling silver requires specific attention. As a sterling silver jewelry owner, understanding how to care for it is essential. You wouldn’t want your pieces to deteriorate prematurely, especially after investing in them.
To learn how to make your sterling silver jewelry last, continue reading. We’ll share the top tips for sterling silver care.
1. Wear Your Sterling Silver Jewelry Regularly
If you’re concerned about your sterling silver jewelry losing its shine, a simple solution is to wear it more frequently. Surprisingly, your body’s natural oils help maintain its luster.
The more you adorn your sterling silver jewelry, the shinier and more elegant it will appear.
Storing it in a box or drawer will only hasten the dulling process due to oxidation of the copper component in the silver.
2. Take Off Your Jewelry While Cleaning
When cleaning your home, it’s best to keep jewelry, particularly sterling silver, off your body.
Wearing jewelry during cleaning exposes it to various chemicals, especially sulfur, which is particularly harmful.
Contact with such chemicals can ruin your pieces, and even fumes can cause damage. Whether it’s deep cleaning or a light tidy-up, always ensure your jewelry is safely stored away.
3. Avoid Direct Sunlight for Your Jewelry
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can tarnish sterling silver jewelry, leading to discoloration and rust. We doubt you desire dark grey silver pieces.
To prevent tarnish, remove your jewelry before going outdoors. Direct sunlight speeds up the tarnishing process.
Even during outdoor activities like swimming, it’s essential to take off your jewelry and remember to wear it again soon after, instead of letting it sit unused for extended periods.
4. Put On Jewelry Last
To give your sterling silver pieces extra care, ensure you put them on last. This means after you have dressed, applied lotions, perfumes, and makeup.
Spraying perfume directly on a sterling silver necklace can speed up the tarnishing process, effectively fading your jewelry’s shine.
5. Store Jewelry in Air-Tight Enclosures
Both tarnishing and oxidation of sterling silver are accelerated by exposure to air.
Displaying your jewelry in a bowl or on a hook allows it to interact with oxygen, leading to quicker tarnishing.
We recommend keeping your pieces in an air-tight container to limit air exposure.
6. Store Jewelry in Cool Places
High temperatures can damage jewelry. Avoid keeping your pieces in hot areas.
Instead, opt for a cool, dark storage place. This minimizes exposure to heat and light, preserving the integrity of your sterling silver jewelry.
7. Be Mindful of What Shares Space with Your Jewelry
When storing jewelry in an organizer or box, ensure it’s not kept with potentially harmful materials.
Avoid placing sterling silver alongside paper, cardboard, or cotton, as these may contain sulfur. As noted earlier, sulfur negatively affects sterling silver.
Storing your jewelry with these materials can result in faster tarnish.
8. Store Jewelry Separately
For an added precaution, store each piece of jewelry separately. This avoids tangling and scratching.
Scratches are easily visible on sterling silver if it’s stored with other items.
9. Invest in Anti-Tarnish Strips
For additional protection of your sterling silver, consider using anti-tarnish strips. Simply store them with your jewelry.
These strips help slow down the tarnishing process, ensuring your pieces stay looking new for longer.
10. Take the Time to Clean Your Jewelry
Regular cleaning is crucial for your jewelry, especially when it starts to tarnish. We suggest using simple soap and water to clean your sterling silver pieces.
Soap and water are gentle and effective for cleaning jewelry. This method should be your first option before considering stronger cleaners.
Using an overly strong cleaner can damage your jewelry more than help it. When unsure, a gentle soap and water cleaning is your safest bet.
Putting Your Sterling Silver Care to the Test
If you’ve damaged your previous sterling silver items or are in search of new ones, it’s the perfect time to start fresh. Challenge your care techniques with our sterling silver pieces.
At Artful Bracelets, we offer exquisite jewelry of premium quality at half the price you might expect. Explore our complete collection to find pieces you’ll love to wear every day.
