How To Care For Your Silver Jewelry

By | April 18, 2022

After spending a lot of money on a jewel, you can not neglect it and let it become dirty. Jewelry care is easy. It entails just a bit of daily care and only twice yearly dropping your jewels off at a jeweler’s for some expert care. Knowing that your jewels are well taken care of will give you the confidence that you need in order to shine to your fullest.

One rule that applies to all kinds of jewelry – do not use toothpaste to clean your jewels! It contains abrasives that can harm both the metal and gems of your ornament.

Silver

Silver oxidizes in time, but silver that is well taken care of will only keep getting better and better. When it is properly maintained, silver forms a shiny patina on its surface that gives it extra shine.

You can clean your silver jewels in a solution of soapy water and dry them with a soft towel. If your ornament is a little dirtier than usual or if it has not been worn in a while, a bath with a special silver cleaning solution might be just the thing to return its shine. After the bath, do not wipe the jewel with anything besides a soft piece of felt fabric or a polishing tissue. A napkin or paper towel can scratch your jewel.

As with other jewels, avoid wearing silver in chlorinated water or in mineral baths, because this leads to discoloration. When you are not wearing your silver jewels, store them in a cool, dry, dark place. A dark, rust-resistant bag (a special bag doused in silver cleaning solution) can be used but only if your silver jewel is not set with precious stones. Since light and air are the factors that facilitate the darkening of silver, the less it sees of them, the better. Do not place or store your silver jewels in plastic bags. They do nothing to protect them and can even harm some gems that your jewel may be set with. Some precious stones, such as pearls and opals, contain water and need to “breathe”, which is why plastic bags are not a good idea for storage.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.