How to clean your jewelry?

Many people wonder how to take care of their silver jewelry. When you first purchased that silver necklace, ring or broach it was shiny and beautiful. In time silver tarnishes from the interaction of silver and sulfides in the air.

First the tarnish will take on a golden hue, and eventually, it will turn the piece black. This is a natural process. Higher sulfide levels are associated with humidity and/or air pollution. Keep in mind that the more humid the climate, the faster sterling will tarnish.

Cleaning and caring for silver jewelry is simple to do if you follow a few basic steps. With a little care and maintenance, your silver jewelry should always shine.

When you purchase silver jewelry, the first thing to remember is that silver is a soft metal. Even a heavy silver ring will bend if enough force is added to it which means, you should take off your ring before lifting anything heavy.

Never leave silver jewelry lying against bare wood. Wood, especially oak, contains an acid that will mar the surface of the silver. Paper and cardboard, since they are wood pulp products, will have the same effect, so avoid storing silver in envelopes or small cardboard boxes also.

For quick cleaning of silver, such as removing makeup or light dirt, use a small amount of liquid detergent or soap to about a half cup of warm water. Using your cloth, wipe the solution the jewelry, rinse under clean warm water, and dry thoroughly. If using the toothbrush, scrub gently with the solution and rinse.

A liquid, or silver dip, works by dipping the jewelry into the solution, rinsing and wiping the piece dry. The easiest way to use a dip is to pour a small amount into a coffee cup or shot glass and dip your silver into the liquid. The results are almost instantaneous.