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Care of Silver Jewellery
Sterling silver does tarnish naturally over time but can be cleaned very easily.
- Be sure to clean the silver only and avoid contact with any stones, particularly pearls and soft stones such as opals and emeralds, as the polish may cause damage to these stones.
- Silver should be kept absolutely dry. If you wear your sterling silver jewellery frequently, keep it away from excessive exposure to air and store it in a tarnish-proof cloth such as the flannel pouch or a good quality jewellery box.
- If your climate is humid, place a small packet of desiccant crystals inside your storage area, whether it is a closed box or a flannel roll.
- Objects that are silver-plated or vermeil (gold-plated) must be cleaned with the same care as solid metals.
- Always remove all silver jewellery before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on silver jewellery, making it appear dull and dingy.
- A soft, lintfree cloth is an effective and inexpensive way to keep your silver pieces lustrous and shining.
- Don't let your jewellery come into contact with nail polish removers, perfume and hairspray.
- Avoid storing your sterling silver jewelry directly on wood surfaces, because wood usually contains acids that can mar the finish. Oak seems to be the worst for this. Also, avoid storing your sterling silver with other metals, like pennies, and rubber, these too cause tarnish and damage.
- Be particularly careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your silver jewellery. Avoid wearing silver jewellery while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.
- The most common tarnish-causing elements are wool, felt, food (eggs, onions, mayonnaise), rubber bands, latex gloves and certain paints. Tarnish is accelerated in a humid environment. Oily salts from fingers can also tarnish silver.
- You can remove light tarnish by using Fairy liquid and water. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush, such as an old toothbrush. After brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry.
- Frequent light cleanings are preferable to waiting until the tarnish gets so stubborn that more abrasive polishes have to be employed.
- Be particularly careful when attempting to clean any silver jewellery set with gemstones, as some stones require special cleaning procedures.
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