After owning silver jewelry (especially sterling silver) for a while, you will often find that the piece is becoming darker or has unsightly stains this doesn’t mean that you need to buy a new jewelry, just learn how to clean silver jewelry. This does not mean that the jewelry is deteriorating in quality. Many times this darkening effect is due to either tarnish or oxidation.
Understanding the difference between tarnish, oxidation and silver sulfide can help you maintain your silver jewelry.
What is tarnish
Tarnish is a thin layer that forms on the outside of sterling or fine silver when it is exposed to oxygen in the air. This tarnish coating often appears as black or dark gray.
Tarnish is not a problem for sterling or fine silver if it is polished and cleaned before it becomes established. However, once tarnish forms, it will continue to grow until removed. If left unattended, tarnish can accumulate into a thick coating that hides the beauty of the original piece. It should be noted that tarnishing does not actually affect the silver underneath.
What is oxidation
Oxidation is the process in which sterling or fine silver reacts with the oxygen in the air to form an extremely thin layer of silver sulfide on its surface. This results in a darkening/blackening effect similar to tarnishing, but it is different in several ways.
Understanding these differences will help you determine when you need to clean your silver jewelry.
How to clean starling silver jewelry
Tarnish is normally removed by using chemicals or dipping the silver in a solution that contains cyanide. Both of these methods are quite harmful to you and can also harm the environment.
Electrolytic Cleaning Processes are the best way to clean tarnished sterling silver jewelry, avoiding any potentially hazardous chemical treatments. The process involves placing the item to be cleaned in a solution of water and washing soda or baking soda. A small amount of electrical current is then passed through the solution, removing the tarnish from your jewelry. The dissolved tarnish forms tiny bubbles that have to detach before being removed naturally by the carbon dioxide in air.
Oxidation is another form of staining that is not removed by electrolytic cleaning. Any acid-base chemical treatment will remove oxidation, but this carries the same health risks as with tarnishing.
How can you clean silver jewelry
First thing, you have to know that you can go to a specialist and he will do it for you. it should cost around 10 dollars if its silver.
If you do not want to go that way and you want to do it by yourself, then read the advices which i have prepared for you. They will help you without causing any harm to your jewelry.
So how can you clean silver jewelry at home?
You can use a few items you probably already have around the house.
Cleaning silver jewelry at home can be done with very simple and common household products such as baking soda, toothpaste and plain soap. The following instructions will show you how to clean silver jewelry by cleaning it with these three products:
Baking Soda
First thing you need to do is to prepare a bowl of warm water and pour some baking soda in it. Make sure that the amount you use will be enough for your jewelry to be fully submerged in it.
Add a little amount of baking soda to a bowl with water and stir thoroughly until no more baking soda is visible on the bottom of bowl.
Now you can add your silver jewelry to the baking soda solution and leave it there for around 20 minutes. That way you will make sure that all dirt is removed from it.
After 20 minutes take it out with tongs or something like this, do not use your hands because it will be too harmful for them. And it could lead to some of that baking soda falls into your eyes or mouth. You can place it on a paper towel or clean dishcloth to let dry.
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help remove tarnish from silver because of its mildly alkaline pH. The same properties that make baking soda good for cleaning your teeth are what makes it helpful in getting rid of tarnish
Toothpaste
Take an old toothbrush and squeeze some toothpaste on its bristles. Wet the bristles with warm water before squeezing the toothpaste so that no toothpaste will spill while you are working.
Gently brush the silver item in a circular motion. Rinse and dry it, and you can finish by buffing your jewelry with a clean cloth to make it shiny again.
Toothpaste has mild abrasives that act just like baking soda to clean away dirt, grease and grime. Since it contains fluoride, which is known to protect tooth enamel, it also helps prevent further wear of the surface of your jewelry.
Soap
Take some mild soap (washing up liquid is perfect) and rub it in your hands until bubbles form on them. Depending on the size of your piece of jewelry, use either both hands together or just one hand. Do not allow the water from your bowl get into contact with your soap solution because that will diminish its effects. Take the piece of jewelry out of the water and place it inside the palm of one hand then start rubbing gently using small movements but without applying too much pressure.
After you have rubbed all pieces for around 1 minute, place them back in the bowl of water and wait until all dirt has been removed from them. You should know that this method works only on silver jewelry with a satin finish .
Now you can dry it using a clean cloth or paper towel and you can also use toothpaste to polish it before putting it into your safe box
The chemicals involved should be easy on your hands and eyes, but if you’re concerned about using products with harsh chemical compounds, then take the jewelry to a professional.
Why would you like to clean your jewelry?
Cleaning silver jewelry at home is a simple process, so you’ll want to do it as often as possible.
Cleaning silver jewelry regularly will help to avoid its tarnishing, so your jewelry will maintain its value for longer.
The silver will look the same as it did when you bought it, and your special piece of jewelry just got a little bit more special.
