Sterling Silver Jewelry Care

Occasional polishing with a silver polishing cloth will prevent a build-up of tarnish, but it won’t remove any scratches. A safe and easy way to clean most jewelry is using a soft toothbrush with mild liquid soap and lukewarm water. If the jewelry is very dirty, soak for 10-20 minutes before rinsing with clean water and patting dry with a soft, clean cloth. Please note this will only rid the jewelry of smudges, dirt, and other forms of buildup; this will not remove tarnishing.

Sterling silver will naturally tarnish over time due to chemical reactions with the air. Moisture from the environment or from perspiration, sunlight, and cosmetics accelerate the tarnishing process. However, silver that is regularly used typically needs less care, so please wear your silver as often as possible.

Tarnished jewelry can be treated with a quality silver dip. Beware some jewelry polishes and dips that utilize harsh chemicals that can degrade metal and gemstones.

Avoid wearing your silver jewelry in situations where it may be damaged easily or exposed to moisture, such as swimming, going to the gym, etc.
Remove jewelry before sleeping and bathing.

Avoid contact with perfumes and hairsprays and household cleaners. All have compounds that can degrade silver and/or accelerate the tarnishing process.
Keep your silver jewelry in a safe place when it is not being worn. Place in a jewelry box or pouch and separate from other items which may tangle or scratch each other.

Prevent Tarnishing

Metals naturally oxidize over time - this is especially true for a metal such as sterling silver, which will inevitably tarnish at some point. Direct sunlight, moisture, lotions or perfumes, and normal wear-and-tear will result in tarnishing. Beth Macri is not responsible for the maintenance of your jewelry, however you can retain the original beauty of your jewelry by following our suggestions about how to properly care for your jewelry detailed above.