subject: What is the best way to clean silver jewellery? [print this page] Soap, dust and natural bodyoils can build up on your jewellery. Sterling silverjewellery often develops a lovely patina, shiny bits combined with darkened areas. If you like the look, leave it alone. If you prefer a bright shiny look for your sterling silver, use a polish cloth to restore the jewellery to its original appearance.
If your jewellery is silver only, without gems, and you only need to remove dirt build-up on untarnished jewellery, you can use mild soap in waterand avery soft toothbrush. The toothbrush really needs to be very soft as silver scratches easily. You could also use a soft artist's brush. Make sure you pat your silver jewellery completely dry before storing. Some sites suggest to use toothpaste as a silver cleaner. This is fine for some silver items, but on jewellery this can leave scratches and I advise to use this method with caution.
Another method, which I often use for silver chains, is to use baking powder, a aluminium foilcontainer (clean take-away type) and hot water. This method is particularly suitable for chains and jewellery with lots of nooks and crannies, where a brush may not reach in. Do not use this method for jewellery that is set with stones. Just place your item of jewellery in the tin foil container. Sprinkle sufficient baking powder (bicarbonate of soda) on to the piece to cover it, and then, carefully, pour very hot water over the jewellery. It will fizz for a short while removing the unwanted oxidationfrom the silver and turning it nice and shiny again! You may need to repeat this process (possibly several times), depending on how tarnished your silver is.
Never dip any silver jewellery in commercial dip' solutions even if they are recommended for silver, they can work for a while but then may turn the silver a different colour and if your jewellery is set with gemstones, this is particularly damaging to the stones.
What's the best way to store your silver jewellery? Well, it may not sound very exciting, but the best way to store your silver jewellery is in individual small plastic bagswith an airtight seal. Over time silver tarnishes due to oxidation. The sealed plastic bag helps prevent this. Wearing and handling your jewellery will also slow down the oxidation process.
Enjoy wearing your jewellery don't just keep it for special occasions, every day is special.
