Sterling silver jewellery enhances any outfit with its elegance and sophistication, whatever the occasion. Its’ beautiful, shiny finish makes silver attractive for many different types of jewellery. Not only this, but sterling silver can be shaped and crafted into various designs, allowing for a wide variety of styles that appeal to different tastes.
While this precious metal provides aesthetic appeal, versatility and long-lasting durability, it can still tarnish over time. But don’t worry, tarnished silver is the result of a normal, natural chemical reaction and it doesn’t mean the silver in your jewellery is poor quality.
With the right materials and techniques, you can restore your silver jewellery pieces to their original brilliance at home. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning silver jewellery, from understanding what causes tarnishing to step-by-step silver cleaning methods and tips.
Silver-plated vs sterling silver jewellery
Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals such as copper or zinc. This type of silver is typically more valuable and durable than silver-plated jewellery. Although sterling silver jewellery is more durable than silver-plated jewellery and is far less likely to chip, scratch or dull, it is still prone to tarnishing over time.
Silver-plated jewellery consists of a base metal, like brass or copper, coated with a thin layer of silver. While these pieces can look just as beautiful, the silver coating is much thinner and more susceptible to wear and tear. It can be scratched or tarnished easily, and harsh cleaning methods can damage the plating, so extra care is needed.
Why does sterling silver tarnish?
Sterling silver tarnishes due to a reaction with sulphur-containing substances in the air. This reaction creates a layer of silver sulphide, which appears as a dark or dull discolouration on the surface of your jewellery. Other factors that contribute to tarnished silver include exposure to humidity, contact with chemicals, body oils and sweat, and improper storage.
The good news is that it is possible to clean tarnished silver, and regular maintenance can keep your silver jewellery looking pristine. Below, we’ll take a look at how to clean tarnished silver.
How to clean sterling silver jewellery
Cleaning silver jewellery doesn’t have to involve expensive silver cleaning solutions or professional services. In fact, you can achieve excellent results using materials you probably have at home.
Materials for cleaning silver jewellery:
· Lukewarm water
· Bicarbonate of soda
· A soft bristled brush
· A soft microfibre cloth
Method for cleaning silver jewellery:
1. Mix roughly 3 parts bicarbonate of soda to one part water until a paste is formed. Apply to your silver jewellery, taking care to avoid stones or diamonds.
2. Gently rub the paste into the silver with a microfibre cloth until you see the shine starting to return. At this stage, you can use a soft bristled brush or toothbrush to get into intricate areas that are tricky to reach.
3. Rinse off the paste and buff with a soft, dry microfibre cloth to remove any remaining tarnish and enhance the shine.
Tips for cleaning silver necklaces
When it comes to how to clean a silver chain, trying to polish the tarnish link by link is a time consuming and tricky task. Instead, you can fill a bowl with 1 tbsp of bicarbonate of soda with 500 ml of boiling water and add your chain, leaving it to soak for up to 30 minutes. Then remove, rinse away any residue and buff with a soft microfibre cloth to remove any remaining tarnish.
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Tips for cleaning silver earrings
When cleaning silver earrings, it’s important to be cautious. Not all jewellery elements are suitable for submerging in boiling water and bicarbonate of soda. While this method should be safe for most hard gemstones, it is not suitable for jewellery containing soft or porous stones lapis lazuli, opal or emerald, or for jewellery containing organic material such as pearls, mother of pearl, coral or amber as this can cause discolouration and can damage them.
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Tips for cleaning silver rings
For silver rings, the process is similar, but extra caution is needed if the ring has intricate designs or set stones. If they’re particularly tarnished, you can soak the ring in boiling water and bicarbonate of soda. Then, gently scrub it with a soft brush, being especially careful around any diamonds or gemstones to avoid scratching or loosening them.
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Professional jewellery cleaning services
Most sterling silver jewellery can be cleaned at home but sometimes, a delicate item might require specialist cleaning to avoid damage.
If your sterling silver jewellery includes diamonds, a precious gemstone, or requires particularly delicate handling, we recommend seeking the services of a professional jewellery cleaner. Diamonds and gemstones can be damaged, and settings can become loose if you aren’t careful while cleaning sterling silver jewellery. Professional jewellery cleaners will inspect and check settings while providing the level of care needed to ensure the jewellery remains in perfect shape.
FAQs
How should I store my silver jewellery?
Placing your sterling silver jewellery in a cool and dry spot is paramount when it comes to jewellery storage. We all know how powerful the sun and its UV rays can be, so it’s only natural that too much sunlight can leave your silver jewellery looking worse for wear. So, when storing your silver jewellery, you should always avoid leaving it in areas of the home that come into contact with a lot of sunlight.
What’s more, if you have a lot of sterling silver in your jewellery collection, you should store your pieces of silver jewellery in separate pouches or in sheets of tissue paper to avoid scratches and tangling. Jewellery boxes come in handy as these often have dedicated compartments for rings, earrings and bracelets. They are also great for storing your jewellery when you travel.
How often should I polish my silver jewellery?
Polishing silver is done to remove tarnish and shine silver pieces and should only be done as needed, typically every few months, depending on how often you wear it. If you notice tarnishing or if the jewellery starts to lose its shine, it’s a good idea to polish it. Regularly cleaning your pieces after wearing them can also help maintain their appearance and reduce the need for polishing.
All Soraya Jewellery pieces are made exclusively with recycled silver. Inspired by the abundant mountains, forests, lakes and waterfalls of the Lake District, our contemporary designs are perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions. We invite you to explore our collection of handcrafted silver jewellery pieces on our website, where you’ll find exquisite designs that will complement your unique style beautifully. Discover the perfect addition to your jewellery box today!