Caring for Sterling Silver Jewelry
Sterling silver jewelry is a staple in most people’s jewlery boxes, however, If not cared for properly, even high-end sterling silver jewelry can appear a little discolored or dirty over time.
Tarnish occurs when oxygen or sulfur makes contact with silver.
To ensure your jewelry continues to look as when you first got it you should consider the following.
-Wear your jewelry! The oils on your skin help keep away tarnish.
-Avoid corrosion. Try not to get chemicals, lotion, chlorine, and perfume on your jewelry.
-Polish with a jewelry cloth from time to time to prevent tarnish.
If you have already noticed tarnish then you can use the following techniques to clean your jewelry at home
Soap and warm water is a classic cleaning method, and it can breathe new life into your sterling silver. Combine warm water with mild soap, such as phosphate-free dishwashing soap.
If soap doesn't work, combine water with baking soda to make a paste. You should apply a pea-sized amount of the paste to a clean cloth to polish the silver. If you have stamped, etched or detailed jewelry, we suggest adding more water to make a thinner paste. You should also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach any crevices. Once done, run the item under warm water before drying it with a clean cloth. It will look good as new!
Caring for Copper Jewelry
Vinegar is a natural and non-toxic cleaning agent for removing stains and tarnish from your copper jewelry.
Pour some vinegar into a bowl with a spoon full of table salt. Submerge the jewelry in the vinegar and salt solution for 15 minutes. Gently use a toothbrush to scrub off any tarnish. Rinse your jewelry thoroughly with water and polish with a jewelry cleaning cloth so that you do not leave behind any moisture.
Caring for Gold Filled Jewelry
Gold-filled jewelry rarely tarnishes as all the gold content is at the surface and since gold doesnt tarnish, neither should gold filled. So you shouldn’t have to clean it very often. Tarnishing can happen under extreme circumstances (intense exposure to sulfide will do it). However, jewelry worn on the body often accumulates other grease and grime from normal wear. Follow these cleaning instructions for the best results.
Mild soapy water and a toothbrush - a soft toothbrush and a mild detergent is the perfect combination for cleaning golf-filled jewelry. The detergent can remove residue or fingerprints from the item, and still leave it shiny and bright when it's done. Be sure the toothbrush is soft or it may scratch your piece! Shine with a jewelry polishing cloth to finish.
Caring for Permanent Jewelry
You can clean your permanent jewelry with warm water, a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap. Jewelry polishing cloths also work great to get them polished up and back to their super shiny selves!