Sterling silver has been prized for its purity and beauty since early times, and it is still valued by many people all over the world today. This metal is an alloy of pure silver with other metals like copper or nickel. Despite its overall softness and malleability, sterling silver holds up pretty well against daily wear and tear; however, remember that no metal lasts forever under constant wear. That being said, there are certain tips you should follow to keep your sterling silver jewelry lasting longer.
A few tips
How to store silver jewelry in order to keep it shinny, sparkling and new. You should avoid wearing your silver jewelry when you are washing the dishes or doing housework because this can cause tarnishing. Silver jewelry should be stored in a dark, dry place that is not prone to humidity like a basement or garage. Keep your silver items at room temperature (not too hot or cold) and away from direct sunlight.
How to store your silver jewelry
Heat, humidity, water, detergents, body oils are all causes of tarnish which will make your silver look old and dirty instead of shiny and new. Avoiding these things will help you keep your jewelry looking nice for years to come without having to spend many hours polishing them every few weeks. Stores that sell sterling silver usually also offer polishing
Store your silver jewelry in a dark, dry place that is not prone to humidity like a basement or garage, it can help maintain their shiny, sparkling and new appearance.
A little box in your room can also be a good choice.
The place where you store your silver jewelry need to be well-ventilated, so it can avoid the growth of molds. molds can ruin your silver by rotting it, so store them far away from these substances.
Put your silver jewelry inside the cloth bags after wearing, to avoid contact with lotions, perfumes and other potentially corrosive substances before storing them.
Hot temperatures and humidity can cause tarnishing so keep your silver jewelry away from direct sunlight and change clothes before wearing your silver jewelry or anything with zippers or buttons on it.
Take care of yore jewelry
Avoid wearing your silver jewelry when you are washing the dishes or doing housework because this can cause tarnishing. Silver is a precious metal and should be treated as such. This means that you need to take care of your silver so it stays in the best possible condition. There are three main things you will want to avoid when it comes to cleaning your silver jewelry: soap, bleach, and ammonia. These substances can cause tarnishing or dulling on the surface of the necklace or bracelet which can be irreversible if they are left on too long. Tarnishing is caused by the combination of ammonia on the surface of your silver jewelry and an acid on your skin or on that of someone you are in contact with. Ammonia is found in many household products like cleaning agents, some types of paint, certain soft drinks, deodorant and toothpaste. Acidic substances are more common than alkaline ones, but some can come from food sources like citrus fruit or vinegar. There are two ways to protect your silver jewelry while doing housework: 1) use products made specifically for cleaning jewelry (these products often contain benzalkonium chloride, which is an effective tarnish-preventative compound) or 2) wear gloves to prevent the acidic substances from coming in direct contact with your silver jewelry. If you must clean your piece, you can find how to do it correctly here How to clean your silver jewelry
If you do wear it while cleaning, make sure to wipe it off with a soft cloth before storing it again to avoid any scratches on the surface of the jewelry. If you do get scratches on the surface of your jewelry, you should consider getting it re-plated, as it can be very expensive to have the scratches repaired.
If you take care of your silver at home it will look just as beautiful as when you bought it for years to come. By following these easy tips you should be able to keep all of your favorite pieces shinning brightly and not scratch them or dull their surface. Keep your jewelry stored safely, away from humidity and heat sources that could cause damage over time. This way there won’t be any need for special cleaning products or expensive repairs if something does happen. Remember, even though your silver jewelry can last a lifetime, it needs some tender love and care as well.
