Wearing silver makes us feel like royalty.
With each glimmer and glint, the shiny embodiment of elegance acts like our cheerleader, whispering in our ears or skin how graceful we look.
But, this radiant charm of silver jewelry lasts only if we take care of the gems religiously. Therefore, there is no slacking when it comes to maintaining the pizazz of silver jewelry.
Here is why and how to take care of your silver jewelry to ensure the shimmer and sparkle last forever.
Why Do You Need to Take Care of Your Silver Jewelry
There is a common misconception that only fake silver jewelry tarnishes.
This is not completely true.
For jewelry to use silver, you need to mix it with another metal since it is too soft in its pure form.
For example, Sterling Silver has 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% another metal. This 7.5% is what causes it to tarnish when exposed to oxygen or water for an extended period.
Remember that pure water will not tarnish your silver jewelry . However, due to pollution or chemical contact, it is increasingly difficult to obtain water in its purest form these days.
How to Care for Your Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry care is crucial to maintain the shine, preserve the sparkle and ensure that it stands the test of time, becoming an heirloom to cherish for generations.
Here are tips to help you take care of these sparkling gems:
A. Purchasing the Silver Jewelry
Before you purchase silver jewelry, ensure you understand the grading.
For example, a .925 rating means it is Sterling silver.
Sterling is 92.5% silver so, if you maintain it properly, it is less likely to tarnish compared to jewelry with less silver percentage.
Or it could be .999, which means it is 99.9% pure silver and is softer than .925. Also, because .999 is soft, it scratches easily and tarnishes quickly.
B. When Not in Use
Remove your jewelry before doing chores or showering to avoid exposure to harsh substances.
Then store each silver piece separately to prevent scratching and tangling.
C. Cleaning the Silver Jewelry
Avoid using silver dips to remove the tarnish when cleaning your silver pieces.
Consistent use of these chemicals might cause the thin protective layer on silver jewelry to thin out completely.
Therefore, your silver jewelry will be more susceptible to scratches and tarnishes than if you use an eco-friendly silver cleaner.
Here is how you can make your eco-friendly silver cleaner:
- You need
- Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth or any other cloth that doesn't have fibres
- Create a paste and apply it to your silver jewelry.
- Use the soft cloth to gently rub on the surface, paying close attention to the tarnished spots.
- Rinse the silver jewelry in warm water.
- Pat dry with a clean, soft cloth before storing the pieces separately. Avoid using kitchen paper towels because the fibres may cause scratches on the surface.
Instead, use the following:
- Microfiber cloths
- Jewelry cleaning cloths
- Chamois leather cloth
- Soft, clean cotton cloth
D. Silver Jewelry after Care
You need to apply a tarnish-resistant coating to your precious jewelry to extend its life.
A tarnish-resistant coating creates a barrier between the silver and the elements.
The most common types of tarnish-resistant coatings you can use for silver jewelry are rhodium plating and e-coating (Electrophoretic Coating).
Rhodium plating involves applying rhodium since it is a highly tarnish-resistant metal.
On the other hand, e-coating uses electric current to charge paint particles that build upon your silver jewelry when immersed inside the solution.
Here is a table showing the pros and cons of using rhodium plating and e-coating for tarnish-resistant coatings:
Coating |
Pros |
Cons |
Rhodium Plating |
|
|
E-Coating |
|
|
So, even if you accidentally expose your silver jewelry to elements, it will still be safe from the formation of silver oxide (tarnish).
Buy Premium Silver Jewelry from a Trusted Supplier
To keep your silver pieces looking shiny for a long time, you need to properly maintain them. But before that, you must ensure you are buying high-quality silver jewelry.
The only way you can do this is by purchasing your silver jewelry from a renowned silver jewelry supplier like Exquisite Thailand, which is customer-oriented.
We stock authentic silver jewelry from Thailand, and with proper care, your silver will last for generations.
Head over to our shop and check out our stunning collection of silver jewelry to elevate your style, boost your confidence and add a touch of elegance to your everyday life.