Pure silver is an extremely malleable metallic alloy, highly
susceptible to a wide array of hazards and vulnerabilities, including
scratches, dents, corrosion caused by extended exposure to heat and
humidity, as well as tarnish and discoloration. As such, jewelry made
out of silver requires an extra amount of care and attention, in order
to ensure it does not damage. Here are some useful tips on how to store
and care for your precious silver jewelry:
Storing Silver Jewelry
- Storing silver jewelry out in the open air can cause the silver to
tarnish and discolor. Humidity, as well as fresh air, may cause silver
jewelry to oxidize, first turning the precious metal gold then black.
Therefore, as long as the silver jewelry is not being worn, it should be
stored in zip-lock, air tight baggies or pouches made out of protective
anti-tarnish material or 100% soft cotton cloth. When storing your
silver jewelry, make sure not to store the items in polyvinyl plastic
baggies, since these bags are composed of sulfuric chemicals which can
cause silver jewelry to oxidize, and then to tarnish.
- Since silver jewelry is highly malleable, store each item
separately, to avoid the jewelry rubbing together, which may result in
the items denting or scratching.
- Avoid storing silver jewelry in boxes made out of wood. Various
types of wood contain acids which further tarnish silver jewelry. In
addition, since silver is extremely susceptible to tarnish, avoid
storing silver jewelry with gold, platinum, palladium, copper or
titanium jewelry, due to the fact that different metals and their
differing compounds may damage the silver jewelry.
Cleaning Silver Jewelry
- It is best to clean silver jewelry with %100 cotton fabric. Avoid
rubbing the item too briskly, since silver jewelry can scratch quite
easily. Coarse or rough materials such as polyester or simple paper
should not be used to clean silver jewelry since these fabrics can cause
your silver jewelry to damage.
- Clean your silver jewelry using a soft bristled brush (like a baby's
brush, or an old toothbrush). The soft bristles will not scratch the
silver jewelry's malleable surface.
- When your silver jewelry requires light cleaning, consider using
warm water, or a very mild household detergent, and rinse out the
jewelry thoroughly. Make sure silver jewelry is completely dry before
storing it in a zip-lock bag or a soft cloth pouch.
- When silver jewelry requires a deep, thorough cleaning, it should be
taken to a licensed jeweler to be professionally cleaned. If you cannot
afford having a jeweler clean your silver jewelry, consider using
silver cleaning paste or spray to polish your silver jewelry. Avoid
using use an excessive amount of product on your jewelry. If the silver
jewelry is gemstone set, avoid using silver cleaning products, since
they can harm the structural integrity of said precious gemstones.
- If your silver jewelry contains precious gemstones, avoid using
rough cloths to polish your items. Certain gemstones, such as turquoise
or opals, are highly malleable and can be damaged quite easily if not
cared for properly. It would be best to have gemstone encrusted silver
jewelry cleaned professionally by a jeweler.
- If you prefer not to take your gemstone embedded silver jewelry to a
licensed jeweler, an effective home remedy for cleaning your silver
jewelry is warm water and mild soap,. Use a soft cloth to rub the
tarnish away.
