The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Silver Jewellery

Silver jewellery is a timeless and versatile accessory, cherished for its beauty and elegance. However, over time, silver can become damaged if not properly cared for. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore how to keep your silver jewellery looking its best for years to come. By following these tips and tricks for looking after silver jewellery, you’ll preserve both the aesthetic and sentimental value of your precious pieces.

Why does silver tarnish?

Tarnishing occurs when silver reacts with sulphur-containing substances in the air or with certain chemicals. This reaction forms a dark layer on the surface of your jewellery, diminishing its shine. Factors such as humidity, pollution and exposure to cosmetics or household chemicals can accelerate tarnishing. It’s important to note that sterling silver (92.5% silver mixed with 7.5% other metals, usually copper) is more prone to tarnishing than pure silver due to the copper content. However sterling silver needs the copper to be added to it to make it durable and therefore it is a popular choice for jewellery. Understanding why jewellery tarnishes allows us to take proactive measures to protect our jewellery. Prevention is always easier than restoration. We keep our jewellery in our anti-tarnish pouches and bags to reduce its exposure to these elements and we find this really helps keep our silver jewellery shiny for longer. Whenever I’m going on holiday, I make sure to pack my jewellery in these bags too as I find that sea air, swimming, and suncreams all seem to accelerate the process of tarnishing.

Daily Care Tips

• Wear it often! Believe it or not, wearing your silver jewellery frequently can prevent tarnishing. Natural oils from our skin help to keep the silver shiny and prevent oxidation. This is especially true for rings and bracelets that get consistent contact with your skin. It also explains why, when I find a piece of silver jewellery I haven’t worn for ages and have neglected to put in an anti tarnish bag, it is grey and not looking its best!
• Avoid harsh chemicals. Remove your jewellery before swimming, cleaning or applying lotions and perfumes. Chlorine, bleach and other chemicals can cause severe damage to silver, leading to discolouration. Be extra cautious with household cleaning agents and beauty products with your silver jewellery as they can contain ingredients which is harmful to silver.
• Handle with care. Silver is a relatively soft metal and can be easily scratched or bent. Try to avoid dropping it or storing it loosely with other items. this is another reason why we love using our Flutterby jewellery pouches. They stop pieces getting tangled up together in your jewellery box.
• Don’t sleep in your jewellery. Sleeping in your jewellery isn’t a great idea as it can cause unnecessary wear and tear. Chains can get tangled, and pieces can get bent of of shape if subjected to pressure. We suggest you take your jewellery off before heading to bed.

How to clean your silver jewellery

Regular cleaning is essential to maintain the shine and beauty of your silver jewellery. Here are some of the best ways to clean silver jewellery.

• Polishing. We use a soft silver polishing cloth. The results we have had by persistent working at a very tarnished piece with these cloths are amazing! Gently rub the jewellery to remove the tarnish and restore the shine. We sell travel sized silver polishing cloths with each piece and if you’d like to purchase one on it’s own please do contact us. The cloths are impregnated in polishing agents and really are a must have for everyone who loves wearing silver jewellery.
• DIY cleaning solutions. Check out our YouTube channel here for a video that demonstrates how you can use bicarbonate of soda and hot water to clean your silver jewellery.
• Professional cleaning. For intricate or heavily tarnished pieces, we’d recommend you consider taking your jewellery to a professional cleaner. They have the expertise and equipment to restore safely your jewellery without causing damage.
• Cleaning gemstone-studded jewellery. When cleaning solutions can damage or loosen gemstones, you need to be extra cautious. Certain cleaning solutions can damage or loosen gemstones. Use a soft, damp cloth to gently clean the metal and avoid soaking the jewellery unless you’re sure the gemstones are safe to submerge.

Storing your silver jewellery

Proper storage is just as important as cleaning when it comes to maintaining your silver jewellery. Here are our top tips for storing silver jewellery.

• Keep it dry. Store silver in a cool, dry place to prevent tarnishing. Avoid storing your silver jewellery in humid areas like bathrooms. Humidity can accelerate tarnishing and damage the overall appearance of your pieces.
• Use Anti-tarnish materials. We thoroughly recommend storing your jewellery in individual anti-tarnish bags such as those we supply with every purchase of Flutterby jewellery.
• Separate your pieces. Store each piece of silver jewellery separately to avoid scratches, tangling or other damage. If you don’t have any anti-tarnish little pouches, you could try an air tight bag for each piece.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to air. When not in use, keep your jewellery in a closed container to minimize exposure to the air which can cause oxidation.

 

Long term maintenance of silver jewellery

Silver jewellery requires occasional maintenance beyond daily care and cleaning. Here’s how to keep your silver jewellery in top condition:

• Inspect regularly. Check your jewellery for signs of damage and wear and tear. When we do this, we are looking for loose stones, broken clasps, rings becoming open, or bent components. If you have any problems with a piece of Flutterby jewellery, just get in touch with us to see how we can help repair it.
• Repolishing. Over time, silver may lose its original finish due to regular wear. Professional polishers can restore its shine.
• Restoration – antique silver may require specialised restoration to maintain its value and appearance.

Common myths about silver jewellery care

Let’s debunk some common myths about how to look after your silver jewellery!

• “Toothpaste is a good cleaner” Whilst it can remove tarnish, it is abrasive and can scratch the surface of your jewellery – especially polished or plated silver. We don’t recommend you use toothpaste to clean your silver but use a more gentle method as we have described here instead.
• “All tarnish is bad” In some cases, tarnish, or patina, can enhance the character of antique or vintage jewellery. If you wish to preserve this look, clean selectively, focusing on areas where you want to restore shine whilst leaving the patina intact.
• “Wearing silver in water is fine” Prolonged exposure to water, especially chlorinated or salt water, can accelerate tarnishing and potentially damage your jewellery. Always remove silver necklaces, bracelets etc before swimming or showering.
• “Silver does not need maintenance” Even though silver is durable, it still requires regular care to maintain its beauty. Neglecting proper cleaning and storage can lead to permanent damage over time.

So finally…

With proper care, your silver jewellery can remain a stunning and cherished part of your jewellery collection for years to come. Regular cleaning, careful storage adn mindful handling will ensure your silver jewellery pieces stay as beautiful as the day you got them. Whether it’s a modern accessory or a treasured heirloom, silver jewellery deserves the attention and care to shine brightly through every occasion. By following our suggested tips and integrating them into your routine, you’ll protect your investment and enjoy silver jewellery’s brilliance and elegance for generations.

PS

If you like discovering silver – both old and new – why not take a trip to The London Silver Vaults? You’ll find so many different designs sold by wonderful silver dealers and experts. Definitely a fun place to look at beautiful silver.