If you don’t wear silver rings, bracelets, or necklaces frequently, you may notice a layer of discoloration the next time you put them on. When silver is exposed to air for an extended period, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in a black tarnish. Fortunately, your rings and bracelets aren’t ruined; all you have to do now is learn how to clean silver jewelry at home to remove the tarnish and restore its luster. Cleaning silver jewelry is quick and easy, and some ways can be done using items you already have on hand.
Invest in a specialist cleaning cloth and learn how to store silver jewelry properly to avoid tarnish in the first place to keep your silver jewelry gleaming for a long time. This article will go through different ways to make your silver pieces look brand new…
What’s the Difference Between Pure Silver, Sterling Silver, and Silver-Plated Jewelry?
To clean silver the best way possible, you need to know its composition to know the lee-way to clean it and at what frequency. Sterling silver is an alloy made up of silver and another metal, such as copper. Pure silver is 100 percent silver, while sterling silver is an alloy made up of a mix of silver and another metal, such as copper.
Look for a little “925” symbol on the inside of rings or bangles to identify if a piece of jewelry is sterling silver. This signifies that the piece is 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent another metal. A thin layer of silver is applied to a base of another metal, such as copper or nickel, in a silver-plated object. While all silver eventually tarnishes, pure silver jewelry tarnishes more slowly.
How To Clean Silver Jewelry
1. Place some drops of mild dish soap into a small bowl in warm water. Let your jewelry sit in the bowl for a minimum of five minutes.
2. Scrub away the tarnishes using a soft toothbrush.
3. Rinse using clean water in another bowl.
4. Dry the jewelry with a soft cloth.
How To Use A Silver Polishing Cloth
Silver polishing cloths are soft cloths used to clean silver jewelry without scratching it. The clothes are usually impregnated with chemical cleaners, allowing them to be used dry without extra treatments or polishing creams, making them a mess-free way to clean silver jewelry.
1. Rub the silver jewelry with the polishing cloth; as every cloth is different, it is better to follow the instructions on the package, but most of them will advise scrubbing back and forth rather than in a circular motion.
2. Work in small sections; use a clean cloth area as you move to other sections.
How To Use Silver Polishing Cream
You can clean silver jewelry with a container of silver polishing cream. This method is best for bigger surface area pieces, such as a locket or pendant, rather than chains or delicate pieces.
Rinse each jewelry item in warm water, then use a soft cloth or the sponge provided in the jar to apply a thin layer of polishing cream to one surface, following the instructions on the packaging. Before applying the lotion, dampen the sponge.
1. Rub the cream into the surface in small parts until the tarnish is gone.
2. Repeat with the rest of the jewelry’s surfaces.
3. When you are done, rinse the jewelry with warm water, dry it with a clean, soft cloth.
How to Keep Silver Jewelry
To avoid tarnish, keep silver jewelry in a velvet-lined jewelry box, which will absorb moisture from the air. A velvet pouch for exceptional pieces will help prevent tarnish by limiting the jewelry’s amount of air exposure. In the comments, let us know how often you clean your silver jewelry…
