It is absolutely impossible for someone not to fall in love with the luster, brilliance and versatility of the sterling silver jewelry. But the reason why it becomes a piece of jewelry that we neglect to wear in the long run, is because of the tarnish. When silver comes into contact with oxygen and sulfur, a strong chemical bond is formed. This results in silver becoming dirty or discolored. None of you would want to wear jewelry that has already started to fade—right?
Clean, sparkling sterling silver jewelry sets can actually enhance the look of women and make them look truly elegant. If you are planning to buy sterling silver necklaces wholesale, remember to give them the care that they truly deserve. But the process of keeping this tarnish off sterling silver necklaces, bracelets and earrings is not a very difficult task. There are just a few set of rules you should know about silver as a metal. Here, you get to learn a number of techniques linked with cleaning your sterling silver jewelry, and keeping the same looking shiny and as good as new.
Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry
After you have bought your silver necklaces wholesale, don’t let your jewelry sit idle for a long time. Clean it as frequently as possible, so that there’s no trace of any tarnish. With tarnish, your precious piece of jewelry will lose its appeal. The best way to clean the corners of the silver jewelry is to use a cotton swab. Soft baby toothbrushes come in handy when the piece of silver jewelry needs abrasive cleaning.
Baking Soda is a Wonder Cleaning Ingredient
• The magic of using aluminum foil, boiling water, salt and baking soda – You will be amazed to see how a simple chemical reaction removes the tarnish completely. For that, take a glass roasting pan and line it with an aluminum foil ,with its dull side facing down. Put your piece of silver jewelry on it and pour boiling hot water until it is covered. Add two tablespoons each of salt and baking soda. Stir it well so the granules do not end up scratching the surface. Soon, you will find that the tarnish has disappeared, completely.
• Baking Soda and White Vinegar- This is a gentle cleaning solution that helps in removing silver tarnish easily. Just soak the tarnished piece of silver in half a cup of white vinegar, to which two tablespoons of baking soda has been added earlier on. Keep it for about three hours. Don’t forget to rinse well and dry.
Taking Care of Sterling Silver Necklaces with Gemstones
If you wish to remove the tarnish from silver necklaces that contain gemstones or pearls, then clean the dish washing liquid only on the part that’s silver, and with a cotton swab. Don’t submerge the whole necklace into water. You might end up losing some of those stones.
The Oxidization Issue
Along with buying sterling silver, it is well advised to invest in solutions that help in removing any tell-tale oxidization marks. The best way to remove oxidation from silver is to use a ‘sunshine cloth’ for cleaning the jewelry surface. But, some silver charms are meant to retain a little bit of oxidation to add to their texture. Here, the trick is to hand clean those pieces for attaining the best results.
Storing Tips
After washing, do not make the mistake of storing your sterling silver pieces immediately. Rinse and dry them thoroughly, before keeping the same away. If you store your jewelry away while they are still moist, then , they will tarnish very easily.
Get the Matte Look Back
You can get your sterling silver jewelry re-matted with the help of a matte paper, in case they lose their matte look.
Things to Avoid
Do not use baking soda or toothpaste to remove tarnish as it scratches the surface of the jewelry. Also avoid using chemicals like acetone and bleach as it makes the silver dull, and ruins its surface. You may like to seek the help of a professional jeweler if simple cleaning techniques don’t give positive results.
Why Choose Sterling Silver ?
Sterling silver, one of the brightest of available precious metals, is oft-purchased because of its durability and ways in which it can be molded into flatware and jewelry. Also used for the making of surgical equipment and industrial applications, most people prefer wearing sterling silver jewelry as the brightness and shiny look imparted by the same is like no other. Over the years, there has been a marked increase in the value and popularity of sterling silver.
The resurgence of this silver alloy in the jewelry industry has obviously made way for more intricate and elegant designs that are luring wholesale and retail jewelry dealers like never before. Priced lower than platinum and gold, this alloy of silver is more affordable than many others. It is used for casting new pieces that are making a strong impact in today's market.
Today, many high-end, established designers are following this trend that is taking them closer to sterling silver jewelry. In the current marketplace, there is no dearth of designer jewelry that’s set with precious stones, and cast in sterling silver. Moreover, the levels of maintenance required for keeping sterling silver shiny and sparkling like new is also within the control of buyers and sellers alike; thereby making this alloy all the more popular.
Conclusion
After buying sterling silver, you wouldn’t want to lose its charm too soon , do you? So, follow these tips above and retain the elegance of these exquisite accessories. Remember, well cared for silver jewelry lasts for years and has the potential of becoming family heirlooms. Therefore, don’t let the tarnish sit too long and clean your jewelry regularly, so that you may outshine all the others when you flaunt the same.
