Jewelry Blog

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Silver Jewelry Care

(1) Sterling Silver tarnishes from the interaction of silver and sulfides in the air. First the tarnish will take on a golden hue, and eventually, it will turn the piece black. This is a natural process.

Higher sulfide levels are associated with humidity and/or air pollution. Remember, the more humid the climate, the faster sterling will tarnish. On a summer day in Miami, Florida, all you have to do is walk out the door and the sterling starts turning black very quickly.

(2) Sterling silver will polish up by rubbing or buffing it with a soft cotton cloth.

A chemically treated cloth, like a Sunshine Cloth, makes the job a lot easier and faster.

(3) Sterling silver dips are fast and easy. However, be careful!

Cleaning Liquid Silver Jewelry

Liquid silver jewelry is very difficult to clean. You can use a soft cotton cloth or a Sunshine Cloth. Avoid dips. They leave residue deposits between each bead, and make the necklace stiff.

A good alternative is to take dry baking powder, and rub it on the liquid silver beads. Then pat and brush the dry powder off.

Cleaning Silver Gemstone Jewelry

When cleaning gemstone beads or cabochons, immerse them in warm, soapy water, and scrub gently with a soft brush. Then rinse them and lay them on a soft towel to dry.

Ultrasonic cleaners only work with hard crystalline stones, like amethyst; for most gemstones, however, we’d suggest avoiding ultrasonic cleaners.

When cleaning gemstone beads or cabochons, immerse them in warm, soapy water, and scrub gently with a soft brush. Then rinse them and lay them on a soft towel to dry.

Ultrasonic cleaners only work with hard crystalline stones, like amethyst; for most gemstones, however, we’d suggest avoiding ultrasonic cleaners.

The big trick is cleaning sterling silver jewelry that includes gemstones within the piece.

Sunshine cloths are OK. The chemicals in the Sunshine Cloth won’t hurt the stones.

Silver dips should be avoided, however, except with crystalline stones like amethyst. Stones like black onyx, malachite, lapis and the like do not survive long when cleaned with dips. A lot of their shine comes from an oily polish which is dissolved by the dips.

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