Sterling silver jewelry is widely used for making a fashion statement. Polishing and cleaning these exquisite jewelry pieces takes minutes if the right trick is known. Proper storage and methodical dirt removal are necessary for making the intricately designed pieces long-lasting. These silver items are the dream of every fashion conscious woman.
Silver has been used for making jewelry for ages. Its generous availability in the newly founded continents of the western hemisphere made people more enthusiastic about it. By the late 1700s, silver jewelry became extremely popular.
Soft pure silver is mixed with other metals to form alloys which help in making it sturdy and durable. Copper is used the most for forming the alloy. Sterling silver made using copper darkens with usage because the metal reacts with the gases present in the air. In spite of the discoloration, wholesale 925 sterling silver jewelry remains the most popular alloy used in creating handcrafted jewelry.
Caring For Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
Sterling silver, when used daily takes on a dark and green tinge like junk jewelry. But, thankfully proper care and storage can help avid users to avoid such a condition.
- Store your sterling silver jewelry in a soft cloth bag because it protects them from the harmful gases in the air. The soft fabric also prevents the ornaments from rubbing against other hard jewelry or stones in the safe.
- The sterling jewelry pieces remain best when kept in dry and cool places.
- Polishing the pieces is very important to keep them shiny and glossy. Remember to polish them every few days because excessively tarnished jewelry can be difficult to clean.
- A special silver polishing cloth is an excellent option. But if that is unavailable then try a piece of microfiber or flannel that is lint-free. Tissues and paper towels are a strict no-no since they have fibers which can scratch the surface of the metal.
- Toothpaste is often used for removing the darkish tan. But experts feel toothpaste contains abrasive components which can scratch the outer layer of the jewelry.
- The motion during polishing silver should be back and forth, longitudinally. This helps in making it shiny while circular motions will enhance any scratches already present on the surface. The portion of the cloth used for rubbing the silver should be changed so that the black substances are not placed on the clean silver surface. However, silver pieces that are tarnished heavily should be cleaned with the help of a professional cleaner.
Homemade Cleaners
The polishing cloth might be enough for minor dirt and stains. However, for tougher blotches, easy homemade remedies can be applied to keep your silver shining. These are environment-friendly and economic too. Such cleaning agents help you keep your exquisite wholesale 925 sterling silver jewelry collection in perfect condition.
Don’t forget that stone-studded pieces should not be immersed in any kind of cleaners to prevent damage to the softer stones. Occasional rubbing with a soft cloth should be enough. Pieces with clear gemstones like garnet, amethyst and blue topaz might be soaked in the cleaning solutions but with extreme caution. Chemicals can accumulate under the stones and dislodge them thereby spoiling your jewelry. These need to be cleaned extremely carefully and with caution.
Some of the best home-made cleaning mixes for sterling silver jewelry are stated below:
- Water and soap: Soap and water are often effective in cleaning the tarnish also. Make sure that you are using soap which is phosphate and ammonia free for the cleaning purpose.
- Lemon juice and olive oil: These two make an effective combination that can be used for cleaning sterling silver jewelry. Mix them in a large bowl and dip a piece of cloth to rub the surface. Make sure that the mix does not drip over the piece. Once finished, rub it with a piece of dry cloth to make it shiny and sparkling.
- Baking soda and water: Using a paste of water and baking soda is another good option for polishing silver. In case the silver is etched or detailed, the paste should be thinned and applied with a soft toothbrush to clean out the crevices. Wash with warm water and then clean with a dry cloth.
- Salt, baking powder and hot water: Alternatively, you can also clean the silver jewelry using some boiling water, salt, baking soda and aluminum foil. Line a utensil with the foil and place the piece in it. Pour boiling water on it and add a bit of baking soda and salt. The baking soda should have completely dissolved in water because it can scratch the silver’s surface. Watch, how within 10 minutes all the tarnish disappears making the piece fresh and glossy as new. It is an old and effective trick that has been used for ages.
- Commercial cleaners: In case you are using commercial cleaners, which are highly not recommended because they can damage your sterling silver jewelry, remember to wash them with water so that the excess solvents that stick to the crevices can be cleaned away. Rub it quickly with a soft cloth to prevent water stains from forming.
Silver fashion pieces have become cheaper with time but they are extremely beautiful and timeless. Store them in anti-tarnish packages separately to avoid scratching the individual pieces. Using soft cotton to prevent scratching is an excellent option. You can also add a piece of chalk or activated charcoal in the packages for minimizing the tarnish. Silver storage happens best when humidity is blocked as much as possible. This enhances the longevity of the items and makes you the owner of unique and time-tested pieces.
P&K Jewelry, Inc sells wholesale 925 sterling silver jewelry at wholesale prices. They manufacture a wide variety of earrings, pendants, pins, rings and more. The blog offers a number of useful tips on how to take care of high-quality and exclusive silver items that you purchase in bulk. Buy at wholesale prices now and pick timeless designs!
Source:https://pandkjewelry.wordpress.com/2017/08/16/tips-and-tricks-to-take-care-of-your-sterling-silver-jewelry/
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