When you purchase an item made of Sterling Silver, you will need to protect it. Fact is Sterling Silver will tarnish. But you can minimize the presence of certain sulfur rich substances that accellerate tarnish reaction. Sulfer is in the air, water, soil and various solids. But, some items have higher sulfate levels and these must be avoided.
What are some examples?
Beauty Products. Hair sprays, shampoos, body/hand lotions, perfumes, including residue on your hands.
Printed Papers. Newspapers, etc. Don't package your jewelry with printed papers as they are printed or dyed with acid based sulver dyes.
Exhaust Fumes. Don't store jewelry in the trunk of your car or in the garage.
What can you do?
1. Store your Sterling silver in the sealed anti tarnish ziplock bag you receive with your purchase when you are not wearing it. Don't leave it laying on your bathroom counter!
2. Clean your silver jewelry regularly, use a silver cleaning product such as wadding or a special silver cleaning cloth (always read the manufacturers instructions). Clean the silver carefully and avoid polishing the other beads on your jewelry, such as crystals with an AB finish, as the cloth can remove that finish.
- or -
You can use a polishing cloth and baking powder. Sprinkle a fair amount of dry baking powder on a soft cloth and hold it in the palm of your hand. Rub carefully your silver jewelry to avoid scratching stones or glass components. When done, shake the powder off.
3. Wear jewelry for appropriate tasks, avoid wearing rings or loose bracelets when cleaning, gardening or performing sports activities. Sweat can speed up the process of tarnishing!
4. Don't go swimming in your jewelry: chlorine in swimming pools can cause damage to the protective layer.
