Caring for sterling silver jewelry.
Will sterling silver tarnish?
This precious metal will last a lifetime, but it is particularly prone to tarnishing—sweat, salt, cosmetics, sulfur and the acidity of our skin are the main culprits. It may sound strange, but even the air works to tarnish your sterling silver! Hot, humid conditions—and naturally occurring sulfur in the air—are particularly harsh on the metal. (Speaking of sulfur, exposing your jewelry to sulfur-rich foods, like onions and eggs, can tarnish it too.)
The good news? Tarnish isn’t permanent, and it’s easy to minimize it, prevent it and clean your sterling silver pieces to return them to their full, icy glory.
How do I clean and protect sterling silver jewelry?
- Wear it often—our easiest tip for how to clean silver jewelry. The oils in our skin naturally polish sterling silver and keep it from tarnishing; this metal loves to be worn!
- Keep away from chemicals. Harsh cleansers, cosmetics, fragrances and chlorine are no-nos.
- Store your pieces safely. Tuck your jewelry in an airtight container to prevent oxidation, and make sure it isn’t contacting any tissues or papers that may be acidic.
- Polish once a month. Use your polishing cloth to buff away tarnish—such a simple way to make a big impact.
- Try a baking soda soak. If your piece is heavily tarnished, line a pan with aluminum foil, fill with water and add 1 tsp salt and 2 tsp baking soda. Soak it for 5 minutes and watch your piece lighten (like magic)! This is especially helpful for chains or other creviced pieces a polishing cloth won’t fully clean.
