Top 4 Tips for Cleaning Sterling Silver...Jewellery care and protection is essential to extend the life of your jewellery. Sterling silver jewellery will tarnish over time when exposed to air. Sterling silver reacts with oxygen in air, to form a layer of silver oxide on the jewellery's surface. This tarnish first appears as a golden hue, then develops a dull greyish coating, before turning black. 1. How to clean your Sterling Silver Jewellery.The traditional method of cleaning silver is with baking soda diluted in water or brushing silver with mild toothpaste. However, as well as being very time consuming, these methods may scratch your jewellery.Another cleaning option is the jewellery cleaning cloth. The Jewellery cloth is recommended, as it is quick simple and effective. It has the satisfaction of visually watching black tarnish rub off and blacken the cloth. When using the cloth it is important to use an up and down cleaning motion, as circular motions can loosen the silver links. A gentle polish now and then, with a non abrasive silver jewellery cleaning cloth will restore its shine. 2. Storing your Sterling Silver Jewellery.Store jewellery in a dark, dry area away from direct sunlight and wooden surfaces. Plastic cling wrap, newspapers and rubber bands all react with silver causing damage. The easiest way to store jewellery is in an airtight protection bag, placed in your jewellery box.
Airtight protection bags or zip lock bags are inexpensive and prevent oxidisation of your silver jewellery. By reducing air and moisture, these bags are an easy jewellery protection technique. Use them to prevent tarnishing and prolong the life of your silver jewellery. We store all our sterling jewellery in these bags to protect our unique silver jewellery, so they arrive at your door with a silvery sheen. 3. Preventing damage to your Jewellery.Jewellery protection holds true to the age old saying 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. Jewellery should be the last item to be put on when dressing and first to be taken off before sleeping. This prevents jewellery getting caught on your clothing. Taking off your jewellery at night prevents silver necklaces breaking when rolling over in your sleep.Remove your bracelets to prevent them opening as you take off a long sleeved top. Chlorine from swimming pools and salt from the ocean also causes tarnishing. Removing your jewellery before swimming will prevent further damage. 4. Products that damage Sterling Silver.Normal cleaning products such as bleach, ammonia, acetone (nail polish remover) and alcohol can damage Sterling Silver Jewellery, beyond repair. Common household products such as table salt, olives, salad dressing, eggs, vinegar and fruit juice are natural enemies of silver. A Silver bracelet accidentally dipped in a fruit punch or olive oil dressing can result in severe damage.
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