Silver Jewellery Care
This is'nt suitable for any silver jewellery with an oxidized or antique finish, or any plated silver jewellery
Sterling silver becomes tarnished on contact with the air and skin. To minimise this it is best to stored them in a clean, dry and air tight environment.
Jewellery boxes are ideal for this purpose, alternatively use ziplock bags
If your jewellery becomes tarnished, the method below is a quick, easy and safe way to clean silver jewellery, using products commonly found around the home.
I have used this method to clean silver that has come back from my travels to keep them looking 'tip top', and find that it also brings up the gems and pearls well, as well!
This method is suitable for semi-precious stones and non-dyed pearls - dyed pearls or artificially coloured stones may loose their colour, so please check before applying.
Sterling silver becomes tarnished on contact with the air and skin. To minimise this it is best to stored them in a clean, dry and air tight environment.
Jewellery boxes are ideal for this purpose, alternatively use ziplock bags
If your jewellery becomes tarnished, the method below is a quick, easy and safe way to clean silver jewellery, using products commonly found around the home.
I have used this method to clean silver that has come back from my travels to keep them looking 'tip top', and find that it also brings up the gems and pearls well, as well!
This method is suitable for semi-precious stones and non-dyed pearls - dyed pearls or artificially coloured stones may loose their colour, so please check before applying.
- Tin foil (about 20cm square)
- A non metal dish or tray
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- Pinch of sodium bicarbonate
- 1 drop of washing up liquid
- Kettle boiled hot water
- Place the foil in the dish, dull side up.
- Add all the other ingredients.
- Gently place any tarnished rings, chains, bracelets and earrings into the dish, making sure that the silver is totally covered in water and is touching the foil in at least one place.
- You should see a reaction occurring within a few seconds (you may also notice a rotten egg smell, too! This is caused by the sulphur dioxide tarnish being dissolved from the silver)
- Leave for 5 minutes, shaking the bowl intermittently.
- Remove the jewellery from the bowl
- Gently rinse the items in clean water
- Lay the items out to dry
- Finish off with a silver cloth or simply a clean soft dusting cloth once dry to get a good buff.
Remember that silver, semi-precious stones and pearls don't like skin products (such as sun cream and body lotions) or perfume, so make sure that you put these on before your jewellery.