Keeping your sterling silver necklaces shiny is a really tough task to achieve.

The metal’s tendency to tarnish and disintegrate in the long run can make it hard to maintain. However, there are many cool ways to take care of your favourite jewellery to weather and other conditions. 

Even though 925 sterling silver is renowned for its brilliant shine, the metal loses lustre overtime due to a process called Tarnishing. 

The copper in the 925 Sterling silver reacts with elements in the air like Sulphur, forming a dark, dull layer on the surface. 

Additionally, environmental factors like humidity, exposure to chemicals, and even the natural oils from our skin can start the process of tarnishing.

With regular cleaning and proper storage tips from the sections below, you can care for your sterling silver jewellery and use your favourite piece forever.

Tips to protect sterling silver from tarnishing

It's heart breaking to see your favourite sterling silver necklace lose its shine due to tarnishing. Here are a few tips to prevent that from happening - 

1) Store it properly:

Store your sterling silver jewelry in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Anti-tarnish bags or cloths might also come in handy.

2) Avoid exposure to chemicals:

Remove sterling silver jewellery before applying any chemical products to skin like perfumes, lotions, and hairsprays. It end up deteriorating your jewellery.

3) Avoid exposure to moisture:

Storing your necklace in a closed, compact place saves it from getting any exposure to moisture, helping it to last long.

4) Remove it before activities:

Make sure to take off your sterling silver jewellery before engaging in activities like swimming, exercising, cleaning or any other tasks that involves contact with water.

Never wear sterling silver to salt water. Salt is corrosive, and coming into contact with ocean water oxidises sterling silver rapidly. It will speed up the tarnishing process than it normally would.

The other most common mistake people do is wearing sterling silver jewellery to shower.

Prolonged wearing of sterling silver jewellery to shower will cause the jewellery to tarnish as water can oxidise the silver and also silver can react with showering essentials like soaps, shampoos etc. So, stop wearing sterling silver jewellery to shower.

Read this to know whether sterling silver jewellery can be worn to shower or not in detail.

5) Polish gently:

Use a specialised silver polishing cloth or a soft, lint-free cloth to restore shine to your silver. Avoid excessive rubbing, as it will remove the protective layering.

Eco-Friendly Tips to Maintain Your Jewellery

Utilise Eco-friendly ways to maintain your jewellery. It's super easy to do and contributes to the greater good of our environment. 

Here are some eco-friendly ways to take care of your sterling silver jewellery.

1) Use Natural Cleaning Solutions:  

Create a gentle cleaning solution by mixing warm water with a small amount of mild, eco-friendly soap that is devoid of any chemicals.

2) Baking Soda Paste:

Create an eco-friendly cleaner by mixing baking soda and a little water to create a gentle solution with super-cleaning impact on your jewellery.

3) Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice is a natural acid that removes tarnish. Remove any impurities on your sterling silver necklace by gently applying lemon juice with a sponge or a soft cloth.

4) Eco-friendly Polishing Clothes:

Cleaning your necklace effectively with eco-friendly polishing clothes made of materials such as bamboo and cotton offer longevity. 

5) Sustainable Storage:

Store your necklaces in recyclable materials or cotton pouches to keep the dust away and make those beads sparkle.

6) Salt water + vinegar solution:

Submerge your sterling silver jewellery in salt water + vinegar solution for a few hours. This method is not suitable for jewellery with gemstones or pearls.

All the above eco-friendly methods help you to take care and prolong the lifespan of your sterling silver jewellery.

Innovative Cleaning Hacks

Here are some innovative cleaning hacks to restore shine on your sterling silver necklace that are quick and effective:

1) Aluminum Foil Method:

Line a bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Fill it with hot water and add a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of salt. Place your silver necklace in the bowl, ensuring it's in contact with the foil.

2) Toothpaste Trick:

Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to a soft toothbrush or cloth. Gently scrub your necklace, focusing on tarnished areas. The mild abrasive properties of toothpaste help remove tarnish effectively. 

3) Carbonated Water Soak:

Fill a bowl with carbonated water, such as club soda or sparkling water. Submerge your necklace in the bowl and let it soak for a few minutes. The carbonation helps lift dirt and restore shine. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Advanced Cleaning Methods

Advanced cleaning methods utilize specialized equipment and techniques to achieve thorough and efficient cleaning of sterling silver.

Here are some of the advanced cleaning techniques:

1) Ultrasonic Cleaners:

Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to generate microscopic bubbles in a cleaning solution. These bubbles collapse rapidly, creating a scrubbing effect that dislodges dirt, grease, and contaminants from surfaces.

2) Steam Cleaning:

Steam cleaning employs high-temperature steam to sanitize and clean a variety of surfaces. Steam penetrates deep into porous materials, killing bacteria and loosening stubborn stains in your sterling silver.

3) Pressure Washers:

Pressure washers utilize high-pressure water jets to remove dirt, grime, mold, and mildew from sterling silver surface. 

Storage tips for your sterling silver necklace

Protecting your sterling silver necklace starts with knowing where to store your necklace.

Here are two storage ways to protects your necklace -

1) Use Anti-tarnish Bags / Containers:

Store your sterling silver jewellery in anti-tarnish bags and airtight containers. It will protect the jewellery from moisture that causes tarnishing. Remove all the air from the storage containers before sealing the bag that contains jewellery.

2) Silica Gel Packets:

Silica gel absorbs moisture and keep the storage environment dry, further preventing tarnishing.

Choosing the right storage solution for your sterling silver is crucial to preserve its shine and prevent tarnishing.

Ethical ways to care for sterling silver jewellery

Purchasing Sterling Silver Jewellery can be a tricky affair. However, authenticity can always be ensured by following these guidelines- 

1) Responsible Sourcing:

Look for brands, artisans who prioritize sustainable ways of sourcing sterling silver is a great way for ensuring authenticity.

Always buy sterling silver jewellery for 925 hallmark in the jewellery which represents pure sterling silver.

Take a look into our amazing range of sterling silver necklaces and pendants here.

2) Eco-Friendly Cleaning Methods:

Switching to natural cleaning methods that we discussed in the previous section is a great step towards maintaining the jewellery’s shine.

3) Avoid Overconsumption:

Focus on buying high-quality, durable piece of sterling silver instead of jumping from one jewellery to the other.

4) Repair and Restoration:

Repair old or damaged sterling silver necklaces to increase its lifespan with the help of jeweler or a silversmith to make it last forever.

5) Donation or Upcycling:

Upcycling or donating old sterling silver pieces to under privileged people spreads the good karma and reduce jewellery waste.

Taking these simple ethical steps impacts environment positively.

Beyond Cleaning - Maintenance of Sterling Silver Jewelry

To ensure the longevity of your sterling silver necklace, here are some less-known maintenance tips that go beyond regular cleaning

• Handle your necklace with care to prevent bending or kinking. Avoid pulling or tugging on delicate chains. Store it separately to avoid tangling with other jewelry.
• Periodically inspect your necklace for any loose clasps, broken links, or signs of wear. Address any issues promptly by taking it to a professional jeweler for repair.
• Consider having your sterling silver necklace professionally cleaned and polished by a jeweler. They can also inspect and restore any worn or damaged areas, ensuring its longevity.
• Ask a jeweler about adding a protective coating, such as rhodium plating, to your sterling silver necklace. This extra layer can enhance durability and resistance to tarnish.

Sterling silver jewellery can last anywhere between 20 to 30 years with proper care and maintanence. Sterling silver can even last forever with proper tarnishing care, storage and by preventing wear and tear.

Conclusion 

Sterling silver is one of the most popular metals used in jewellery-making today. It is used by designers all over the world. Take a look at some of our popular sterling silver necklace designs here.