How to take care of silver jewelry...

How to take care of silver jewelry

One of the questions I receive most often is: how can I clean my silver jewelry?

Before talking about cleaning, however, it is useful to understand why silver tends to darken over time.

925 silver is an alloy composed of 92.5% silver and the remainder of other metals, mainly copper, which are necessary to make it more resistant and suitable for crafting. Over time and with exposure to the environment, the typical dark patina commonly called tarnish can form on the surface.

It is a natural phenomenon and does not mean that the jewelry is of poor quality.

How to prevent tarnishing?

A few simple precautions can significantly slow it down:

• store your jewelry separately and away from air and humidity;
• avoid contact with perfumes, creams, detergents, and cosmetics;
• remove your jewelry before exercising, showering, or swimming in a pool or spa;
• be particularly careful at the beach: salt air and humidity can accelerate the alteration of the silver and wear down plating more quickly;
• after wearing them, wipe the surface with a soft microfiber cloth before putting them away.

Even skin pH and perspiration can influence the speed at which a piece of jewelry tends to darken: this is why the behavior of silver can be different from person to person.

How to clean tarnished silver jewelry?

After years of testing, I have chosen two types of cloths with different functions.

MAGIC silver cleaning cloths
These are suitable when the first signs of tarnish begin to appear or when the silver is already darker. They are gentle on surfaces and can also be used on plated jewelry, always without applying excessive pressure.

You can find them here: MAGIC cloths for cleaning silver

Microfiber maintenance cloths
They do not remove existing tarnish: instead, they are for daily care and prevention, removing residues of skin, sweat, and substances that can deposit on the surface.

You can find them here: Microfiber maintenance cloths

What if the tarnishing is very severe?

Only when the cloth is not enough should you consider a specific product for silver cleaning.

Use it, however, very sparingly, especially on jewelry that is plated or treated with anti-tarnish coatings: more aggressive products, if used frequently, can wear away the plating or alter the protective treatment.

Also, avoid any contact of the product with pearls, stones, corals, and cameos. If you need to reach a small metal part near these materials, apply the product precisely using a cotton swab, without touching the other elements.

After cleaning, when required by the product used, rinse and dry the jewelry thoroughly before storing it.

A simple rule to remember

Jewelry is the last thing to put on when getting ready and the first thing to take off when you get home.

Small daily precautions can make a big difference and help you preserve their shine and beauty for longer.

Melania