With the use we give them day to day, jewelry can go losing shine and accumulating dirt.
Nothing that can't be fixed with a few maintenance tips. Today I'm going to tell you about it. How to safely clean silver at home so that your jewelry looks perfect every day (and forever).
You'll see how easy it is.
Want to know how to clean silver? First, let's see if it's sterling silver.
It's inevitable that silver jewelry will darken over time. But don't worry. It doesn't mean that you have bought a piece of poor quality jewelry.
Let me explain.
Typically the silver jewelry we buy is actually a mixture of silver and other metals.
For example, I use 925 Sterling Silver for my Adamina jewelry. Do you know what Sterling Silver is?
It is high quality silver, composed of 92.5% pure silver.
The rest of the composition is other metals, such as copper for example.
It is necessary to do it this way, because if we used pure silver in jewelry, the pieces would be too soft and would easily deform. That's why we use an alloy with another metal that provides that point of hardness that pure silver lacks.
When do we consider silver to be high quality? Regulations in Spain establish that Sterling silver must be 92.5% or more pure. Below that figure it is considered second-grade silver, of lower quality.
If you want your jewelry to be with you for a long time and retain all its properties, it is best to make sure you buy quality silver. This way, with regular cleaning, you can ensure that they remain perfect, shiny, and undeformed.
Why does silver darken over time?
Because as I told you at the beginning, It is normal for a silver jewel to blacken with use.
It happens for multiple reasons, some you can prevent but others are inevitable.
For example, The more acidic the pH of your skin, the more your silver jewelry will tend to darken. This can even happen seasonally if you take a medication that temporarily alters the pH.
It also influences the change in tone the use of perfumes, moisturizers, soaps... Chemicals in general affect metal, especially when there is continuous contact.
For example, if you put cologne on your neck every day, it's easy for your necklaces will soon start to turn dark.
But, as I was saying, it's okay. We'll fix it right now.
5 simple tips for cleaning silver jewelry
The first thing I would tell you is that Don't wait too long to clean your silver jewelry. If you really want to maintain them effectively, check them from time to time and restore their original shine.
Don't let them get too black because it will cost you more to clean them.
After, separate jewelry that has set stones, because we are going to do those treat separately so as not to damage any material.
There are several ways to clean silver rings, bracelets or necklaces. In fact, if you search the internet you can find a thousand and one methods (including immersing it in Coca-Cola, the multipurpose soft drink par excellence).
My advice is to do it like this:
- Protect yourself with latex gloves and open the window. Fumes may be produced.
- Pass all the jewelry through a good stream of water with a drop of neutral soap to remove dust and impurities.
- Immerse the jewelry in a container with hot water, two tablespoons of baking soda and aluminum foil into small pieces, which will act as a magnet to attract dirt. If the jewelry is very dirty, do this twice. Then rinse and dry it with a clean cloth.
- If there are reliefs or areas that are blacker than others, you can use either turpentine or a mixture of bicarbonate and an acid (which can be vinegar or lemon). Clean the area with a cotton swab.
- What if they have pearls or stones set in them? Take extra care. Don't use abrasives or acids that can damage them (i.e., skip steps 3 and 4). Simply rub with a damp cloth. If more is needed, it's best to consult a professional jeweler.
Once you have all your silver jewelry ready, you can keep them for longer if you take into account a few more details.
How to keep your silver jewelry clean longer (this is how I do it)
Put them on at the last minute before you go out. That way, if you've applied perfume or moisturized your skin, some time will have passed, and the contact will be less intense. I confess that when I decide on a pair of earrings, I usually leave them on for a while... but it's not ideal, to be honest.
Take off your rings if you wash your hands with soap; if you use detergents or even more aggressive products, even more so. Just be careful not to forget them in the sink, especially if you're in a public place (yes, I've also lost a ring outside the home).
Be careful at the pool or the beach. Chlorine in water and saltpeter affect silver. Oh, and no jewelry in the gym, we don't want it to come into contact with sweat.
With these tips, you'll be able to keep your silver jewelry clean for longer.
Do you have any other cleaning methods? Tell me how you clean your silver jewelry—I'm eager to learn new tricks!