How to Keep Your Sterling (925) Silver Jewelry Shining for Decades to Come

Author:

Robin is a writer and researcher for Global Serendipity, an online shop that features one-of-a-kind jewelry from around the world.

What is 925 Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is made with 92.5% pure silver and is considered to be a precious metal. Silver plating is made with 0.15 to 0.2 mils of sterling silver over a base metal, often brass or copper. Unlike silver plating, 925 silver will never flake. Properly cared for, it will last for generations.

So, how do you keep your new 925 silver jewelry looking splendid for many years? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Remove silver jewelry before washing, showering, and swimming

1. Keep It Dry

The fastest way to tarnish your jewelry is by exposing it to moisture and liquids, including showers, hot tubs, cleaning products, high humidity, sweat, lotions, makeup, hairspray, and perfume.

Instead of memorizing all these items, just get in the habit of donning your jewelry last, after you've gotten ready. And, when heading out to the gym, for a run, or a walk in the rain, leave your gold jewelry at home or in a secured locker.

Store your sterling silver jewelry in air-tight bags or boxes.

2. Store It Correctly

I personally think it's a drag laying my head on the pillow and realizing that I still have my earrings on. So, besides my regular jewelry case, I keep a little box with a lid on my nightstand, so I can just roll over and place my earrings (or other jewelry) in it. During those hard-won 8 hours, the oils and heat your body produces can tarnish jewelry that is touching your skin.

But, in general, the absolute best way to store your jewelry is in individually sealed bags (like Ziploc) to prevent scratches by other jewelry, and putting them in a cool place (box, drawer, case whatever) but not the fridge, which might produce too much humidity.

Use only a jeweler's cloth or microfiber towel to polish sterling silver.

3. Clean It Carefully

Only clean jewelry when it is visibly dirty or tarnished. Just wipe it gently with a jewelers or microfiber cloth. If it needs more attention than that, put a drop of a gentle dishwashing liquid in a cup of warm water. Carefully swish the jewelry around for a minute or less, then wipe it with the cloths mentioned above.

Never, ever wipe jewelry with paper products as they will cause fine scratches. Sidepoint: You'll probably run across some articles that recommend using a toothbrush and baking soda to clean jewelry - utter disaster! Baking soda (besides in cooking) is used to abrasively clean things.