Sterling Silver Jewelry – Use & Care

All of the jewelry on this shop is made with sterling silver hardware. Sterling silver is durable and hypoallergenic. But it can be prone to tarnishing depending on the conditions. Tarnishing is a natural occurrence that takes place when sterling silver is exposed to moisture and gases in the air. Sterling silver is made up of mainly silver, but also has other metals added, usually copper which are more prone to tarnish. Here are some basic tips and suggestions to take care of these one of a kind pieces of art.

One of the best ways to avoid tarnish is to store your jewelry in a sealed container to limit air and moisture exposure. It can also be helpful to keep an anti-tarnish strip stored with your jewelry as an extra measure of protection. (I sell my jewelry in a small plastic bag with an anti-tarnish strip which you could use to store your jewelry.)

Wipe jewelry with a dry cloth after wearing.

Avoid exposing jewelry to moisture. Don’t wear jewelry to exercise, shower, or swim. Also avoid leaving sterling silver in a humid environment such as a bathroom during a steamy shower.

Avoid exposing sterling silver to harsh chemicals such as bleach or acetone.

Wear your jewelry often, the natural oils on you skin helps to protect against tarnishing.

If you do discover some tarnishing of the sterling silver, there are a few cleaning measures you can take. First try removing the tarnish with a dry cloth or a cotton swab. If that is unsuccessful at removing the tarnish, remove the hardware from the jewelry by gently twisting open the jump ring (a pair of pliers is helpful for this) place the sterling silver pieces in a cup of warm water with some mild dish washing detergent and gently wash pieces with your fingers. Use a cotton swab or a soft toothbrush to remove tarnish gently. Dry thoroughly with a dry cloth and let completely dry before reassembling the jewelry with its wooden piece and placing in a safe storage location.

With theses simple measures you can keep your jewelry looking great for years to come!