How to Take Care of Your Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry is always in style. Whether you want to look elegant or fashionable, you can never go wrong with a statement silver piece.

No matter what metal your jewelry is made of, appropriate care is necessary to maintain its luster. Silver is no exception, considering it is easily prone to oxidation which tarnishes it.

If you’re wondering how to properly take care of your silver jewelry, your search ends here. Here’s a detailed guide. 

How to Take Care of Your Silver Jewelry

1. Use It Often

This advice might sound contradictory to the common notion that less usage implies strong shelf life. But your silver chain is better worn on your neck than stored in a box for years.

When silver comes into contact with bodily oils, it is less prone to tarnishing as the oils serve both as protectants and polishing agents.

When it comes to special jewelry like a personalized silver locket with an engraved message, always put on your jewelry as the last thing when getting dressed. Otherwise, you might accidentally leave a dent on it.

Though you can use your silver jewelry often, you should also avoid wearing them under certain conditions. For example, it is better to take off your silver hand jewelry when working with hard metals like iron and steel. 

2. Store It Properly

In some instances, storing your silver jewelry is better than wearing it. But storing it under the right conditions is essential.

Never store silver jewelry that hasn’t been cleaned. Even sweat should be neatly wiped out and the jewelry should be stored in a cool and dry place.

Store your silver ornaments in airtight containers to prevent any traces of moisture from seeping in.

Don’t store silver jewelry with other metals. The chemistry between them could corrode the silver.

3. Right Cleaning Methods

Rubbing your silver jewelry with bleach is not going to do the trick. It only worsens the damage.

You can simply apply some non-gel toothpaste to a microfiber cloth and wipe the tarnish on the jewelry. Follow it up by cleaning with warm water and patting the jewelry dry with a soft cloth.

Lemon soda can bring back the original glory of your silver pieces. Soak your jewelry in the soda for a couple of hours and watch the magic happen without breaking a sweat.

You may also want to invest in a silver jewelry cleaner if you have a lot of pieces that require regular maintenance.

4. Tarnish-Prevention Tips

They say prevention is always better. Of course, careful use and storage will prevent tarnishing to some extent.

Cleaning your silver with an anti-tarnish cloth is a quick and effective way to prevent it from turning black.

You may also consider getting an anti-tarnish coating on your jewelry as it can protect against oxidation and make it hypoallergenic. If you’re allergic to silver but still love to wear it, this coating is a great solution.

5. Learn What Not To Do

Let’s take a glance at the don’ts of silver jewelry.

Silver is a delicate metal. Never use strong chemicals like ammonia or chlorine on it, even for cleaning purposes. Do not go into the pool or the sea wearing your silver jewelry.

Avoid contact between silver and wood. The acids in wood polish can quickly cause the silver to tarnish.

If you use gloves to clean your jewelry, do not wear latex gloves. Cotton gloves work the best. Don’t skip adding chalk or silica gel to your jewelry storage box as they can absorb moisture and preserve its shine.

Julie Higgins
Author
Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.