Looking After Silver Jewellery

JEWELLERY · UNITED KINGDOM

Looking After Silver Jewellery

Sterling and plated, why silver tarnishes, cleaning safely and storage

Silver tarnishes, which is chemistry rather than damage, and the way people deal with it determines whether a piece lasts decades or wears thin.

Sterling and plated

Sterling silver is 92.5 percent silver, marked 925, and is solid throughout. Silver plated pieces have a thin layer over a base metal and wear through at friction points, exposing what is underneath.

That difference matters most for rings and bracelets, which take constant contact. In the UK, silver above a certain weight must be hallmarked.

Why it tarnishes

Silver reacts with sulphur compounds in the air, in some foods, in rubber bands and in certain woods. Humidity accelerates it, which is why a bathroom is the worst place to keep jewellery.

Skin chemistry, perfume, hairspray and chlorine all speed it up.

Cleaning safely

Warm soapy water and a soft cloth for light tarnish. A proper silver polishing cloth for more. Polish along the piece rather than in circles.

Avoid abrasive pastes and toothpaste, which scratch. Dip solutions work quickly and remove a little metal each time, so use them sparingly and never on plated pieces or anything with an intentional oxidised finish.

Do not use silver dip or ultrasonic cleaners on pieces with pearls, opals, turquoise or glued settings.

Storage

Airtight bags or a lined box with anti-tarnish strips, away from humidity. Store pieces separately so harder stones do not scratch softer metal.

Wearing it

Wearing silver regularly actually slows tarnish, since friction against skin keeps it bright. Put jewellery on last, after moisturiser and perfume.

As a gift

Silver suits gifting because sizing matters less for pendants and bracelets than for rings, and a piece can be engraved. Check every letter before confirming, since engraved items are not returnable.

Keep the box and any documentation, which matters for resale and for insurance.

Allergies

Reactions are usually to nickel in the base metal of plated pieces rather than to silver itself, which is why solid sterling is a safer choice for sensitive skin.

Wearing and removing

Take rings and bracelets off for swimming, the gym, cleaning and gardening, since chlorine and household chemicals attack silver and the alloys in it.

Put jewellery on last, once moisturiser, perfume and hairspray have all dried.

Insurance

Home contents policies cap jewellery at a low figure, so list anything significant separately and keep photographs and receipts elsewhere.

Have valuable pieces revalued every few years, since metal prices move considerably.

Repairs

Broken clasps, thin bands and worn claws are all inexpensive to repair before they fail, which is far cheaper than replacing a piece that has been lost.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Newbridge Silverware? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Newbridge Silverware — official site

Visit this site