Sterling Silver Care

Clean, untarnished sterling silver has a brilliance and shine that reflects light and enhances the beauty of any piece of jewelry. Gemstones look especially gorgeous when coupled with this shining metal. If you are at all like me, I don't like to have to clean my jewelry before wearing. I would like to share the quickest, easiest methods I have found to keep your silver jewelry shining, and cause the least amount of abrasion to your jewelry.

Tarnish on silver is caused by oxidation. The simpliest explanation is that the metal becomes dull when exposed to air. Using silver polish or a polishing cloth will actually scrub away at the surface of your metal, removing a layer of the silver. Silver polish is also difficult to remove from small detailed areas of your jewelry.

Another important rule about silver, and your fine jewelry in general, is to keep it away from harsh household chemicals such as bleach or chlorine.

One of the easiest methods is to keep your silver closed in sealable plastic bags. This is not the most convenient way to store your jewelry pieces, I know, but it is the best way. No-tarnish strips can be purchased at a jewelry supply company and will give add protection from oxidation if they are kept with your jewelry. Change these strips every couple of months for best results.

Probably easier to find would be chalk, basic chalkboard chalk. This can be used in place of the no-tarnish strips and will give you the same benefits. Basically the chalk absorbs any airborne substances that will tarnish your silver. Also change the chalk every couple of months.

I hope this information is helpful to all those silver lovers out there, like myself.

(rewritten from an article by Rena Klingenberg)