Beautiful sterling silver jewellery, with its gleaming luster, can over time loose some of its brilliance due to tarnishing. Not to worry though! You can easily restore your pieces to their former glory with a bit of care and cleaning.
Recognising Tarnish and its Causes 🔍 Tarnish begins as a subtle greying and dullness on your sterling silver .925 pieces. It may even make your jewellery appear dirty. This tarnish is a reaction of the small percentage of alloy (usually copper) mixed within the silver to make it more durable. The alloy reacts with oxygen and skin oils over time, leading to tarnish.
Pure silver .999, primarily used in silver clay pieces, doesn't tarnish as quickly due to its higher silver content. However, it still appreciates a polish from time to time!
Preventing Tarnish: Proactive Tips 🛡️ To prevent tarnish:
Remove your jewellery before bathing, swimming, or using household cleaners.
Dry your jewellery as quickly as possible if it becomes wet.
When dressing add your jewellery last to avoid contact with perfume or hairspray.
Store it properly & out of direct sunlight.
Give your pieces a quick polish with some washing up liquid or a silver polishing cloth periodically.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions for your Jewellery 🌿 Many commercially available jewellery cleaning solutions aren't kind to the environment. Hence, I prefer using cleaning methods that use common, eco-friendly household ingredients.
Washing up liquid: Mix a mild washing up liquid with warm water for an overall clean. Use a soft brush or cloth for tougher spots.
Washing up liquid & carbonated water: Ideal for gemstone-studded jewellery, as the fizz reaches tiny spaces. Follow the same method as above.
Bicarbonate of soda: For stubborn tarnish, use a thick paste of bicarbonate of soda and warm water. However, avoid using it on glass beads, gemstones, or pieces with a patina as it acts as an abrasive.
Silver polishing cloth: Excellent for quick polishing and handy for on-the-go care. Ensure the cloth is designed for silver as each metal type requires a specific kind of cloth.
Storage Hacks to Prevent Tarnish 📦 Proper storage can significantly delay tarnish. Store your silver jewellery in an airtight, dry area away from sunlight. Small sealable plastic bags or small boxes are ideal for this purpose.
While you can purchase special anti-tarnish strips for added protection, they need to be replaced every few months, creating waste. I find that a quick polish with a silver polishing cloth every so often helps keep your pieces looking fresh and new!
Caring for your jewellery not only ensures it stays beautiful for longer, but it's also a beautiful ritual in appreciating the craft behind each piece. Happy cleaning! 🌟