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Home::Advice
Caring for Sterling Silver Jewelry
Author : Jack Shafer
Sterling Silver Jewelry: The standard for quality, reliability,
and beauty.
Here are some simple care suggestions:
Sterling silver jewelry is always made of silver that is 92.5%
pure. It is composed of 925 parts of pure silver and 75 parts
alloy, usually copper. Sterling silver jewelry always has the
stamp of sterling silver on it, accompanied at times with the
name of the designer or jewelry manufacturer. The word
"sterling" is the most respected in the jewelry business today.
Since pure silver by itself is too soft, another metal such as
copper is added to it, to give the silver its added stiffness
and other qualities. The resulting mixture is composed of 925
parts pure silver in every 1000. This proportion never varies.
It is fixed by law. This is referred to as sterling and is often
incorrectly called solid silver.
Sterling silver jewelry is made from this sterling silver, which
is a white and highly reflective precious metal. It is of
superior quality, which reflects in its look and feel. Although
less durable than stainless steel and other precious metals,
sterling silver is often employed in watches that coordinate or
look like sterling jewelry. A protective coating may be added to
prevent tarnish. Sterling silver jewelry is not very cheap, yet
is also not beyond reach. It has a very distinctive look and can
be easily distinguished. There is no mistaking the high
reflective shine of this jewelry, which is one of its trademarks.
It adds a sophisticated charm to your personality. Sterling
silver jewelry is very stylish and lends an incredible elegance
to your entire look. The inedible stamp of quality along with
the chic sophistication makes it a wonderful "must have"
product. It is a very versatile ornament that crosses all
barriers of age, cast, creed etc. It can be worn by anyone
whether young or old. Some care has to be taken with any
sterling silver jewelry that you own. This jewelry does tarnish
with time. Tarnish on silver starts out as a yellowish tinge and
is most easily removed at this stage. Silver tarnish progresses
to a blackish purple coating becoming much more difficult to
remove. Prolonged, unprotected storage is generally when tarnish
occurs.
Usually, tarnish will not appear on jewelry that is worn on a
regular basis. The gentle friction from wearing and the contact
of oils on the skin will likely keep your jewelry bright and
sparkling. Note though that taking certain medications can cause
changes in skin acidity and may cause jewelry tarnishing.
To exercise good silver care, keep your jewelry free of tarnish
by frequent cleaning. A simple diluted solution of mild
dishwashing liquid and water can clean your silver jewelry. You
can make your own cleaner by putting 2 tablespoons of baking
soda and 2 tablespoons of salt in an aluminum pan - make sure
it?s aluminum, that?s what makes this work - add hot water, mix
it up and drop in your tarnished silver. A "magical" chemical
removes the tarnish. Then, rinse and wipe dry.The presence of
moisture will promote tarnish so, If possible, store your
jewelry in a zip-loc plastic bag with anti-tarnish paper.
Light tarnish or oxidation film can be removed with silver
polishing cloths. You may find them at supermarkets, hardware
stores or jewelry shops. Heavy tarnishing will require
commercially available polishing creams, or dip liquids. Use
care with these, limiting the exposure of gemstones to silver
cleaners as they may contain chemicals that can harm certain
gemstones. Always rinse and dry jewelry thoroughly. I've found
that using a hairdryer works very well to insure removal of
moisture. Use a soft cloth to make sure no residual cleaner
remains.
Note: Cream and dip liquid polishes will most likely remove
tarnish and oxidation from your jewelry. They will also most
certainly remove any decorative oxidation designs and patinas as
well. Therefore, it's best to keep these items free of tarnish
through proper storage and the use of cleaning cloths. BUT avoid
cleaning your sterling silver with tissue. Believe it or not,
tissue can scratch your silver.
Avoid jewelry contact with abrasive soaps, chemicals, perfumes,
hair sprays, dyes, etc. Remove your jewelry while washing,
bathing, doing dishes, household chores or cleaning with
chemicals. Silver is a relatively soft metal and can scratch, so
don?t scrub with abrasive cloths or cleansers. Remove your
jewelry before doing strenuous activities, exercise, sports,
swimming (both ocean saltwater or chlorinated pools), to prevent
scratching, denting or loss of gemstones. Remove jewelry before
going to bed to avoid kinking or breakage.
Sterling silver jewelry has a unique air of class,
sophistication and style surrounding it. It is a wonderful thing
to own and also to give to people who matter. It says a lot
about your personality and taste. Wearing sterling silver
jewelry can immediately enhance your over-all persona. It is
available for both men and women being one of those essential
pieces of jewelry that you must have in your collection. Its
versatile look allows it to be used for many occasions, and the
feel and texture is quite fashionable, as well as glamorous. By
knowing some of silver's characteristics and taking a little
extra care, your silver jewelry can give you a lifetime of
enjoyment.
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