Silver Jewelry Care: Prevent Tarnish & Restore Shine

Silver jewelry is a sophisticated, classic option, and like all metals, it can develop oxidization over time. Tarnishing results from the reaction of silver with certain elements, either in the air or from contact with their fingers. Knowing how and why silver jewelry tarnishes, as well as tips for maintaining, cleaning and caring for it, will keep your pieces bright and shiny for years ahead.

What Causes Silver Jewelry to Tarnish?

• Chemical Reaction: Silver jewelry tarnishes when exposed to air by oxidation This formation result in silver oxide, visible as a dark brown or gray-black coating on the surface. Also, when silver touches sulfur present in air, another compound, silver sulfide, or black tarnish is produced.

• Body Chemistry: The chemicals inherent in you are one more reason for tarnishing. Some people have more acidic sweat or sweat that contains more of the sulfur compounds. This causes silver jewelry to tarnish at a quicker rate in some people while others discover their silver jewelry is shinier with wear.

How to Take Care of Sterling Silver Jewelry?

• How Often You Wear It: One of the best ways to take care of silver jewelry is by wearing it regularly. The natural oils in your skin help to keep silver looking polished. But those whose sweat is PH acidic or high in sulfur should take it off regularly to prevent tarnishing.

• Avoid Chemical Exposure: One should not expose silver jewelry to harsh chemicals. Take off your silver pieces when you are showering, swimming or visiting hot springs to protect them. Wear them in the saltwater, especially if they speed up tarnishing.

• Avoid Cosmetics: Avoid getting in contact with cosmetics, perfumes, hair dyes and lotions. They can make silver jewelry dull and cause tarnishing.

• Do Not Wear Jewelry Together: In order to prevent scrapes or deformation, don’t wear silver accessories with different valuable metal. Also avoid friction with silver jewelry.

• Minimize Air Exposure: Keep your silver jewelry in air-tight bags or boxes when you are not wearing them. That helps minimize exposure to air, cutting the risk of tarnish developing.

How to Clean Silver Jewelry?

• Toothpaste: A great fix for light tarnish. Put the silver jewelry in a plastic bag, add a touch of toothpaste with a bit of water, and gently rub until the tarnish is banished. Clean with clean water to bring back its shine.

• Coca-Cola: If silver jewelry has tarnished badly, Coca-Cola will do the trick. Fill a glass with cold Coca-Cola and let the jewelry sit for approximately 12 hours. Then wash the silver off with clean water, and it will shine again.

• Silver Cleaning Solution: A silver cleaning solution may be needed if your silver is heavily tarnished. Soak the jewelry in the solution for a few minutes (2-3 minutes). But this method is rough so use caution.

• Tea: The easiest and all-natural way to remove some tarnish is to soak silver jewelry in tea overnight. The tannins in the tea help to break tarnish down. Soak the jewelry in the tea for about two hours, then rinse it and polish it with a soft cloth.

• Silver Cloth: Silver polishing cloths are specially designed for the cleaning of silver jewelry. Perfect for buffing your pieces to keep them shiny.

• White vinegar: Another popular solution is to use white vinegar. Soak a cotton swab in vinegar and rub it on the tarnished parts of your silver jewelry. The vinegar works to wash away tarnish, leaving your silver with a fresh appearance.

All in all, the longevity of your silver jewerly can be increased by regular maintenance, proper storage, and careful cleaning. Follow these few steps and all your pieces will remain shining without any hassles. Knowing the reason behind silver tarnishing, as well as how to clean and care for it, will leave your jewelry looking great, all the time.