Taking care of your silver jewellery
Sterling silver, whether it is in tableware, jewellery or coins does tarnish due to its chemical composition. Tarnishing, in which the silver looses it's shine, is caused by a chemical reaction between the silver, oxygen and sulphur. Silver jewellery can tarnish over time and wear but the biggest and most immediate impact is generally caused by misuse and neglect. For this reason, good care and maintenance is essential to maintain your silver jewellery in good condition for many years. We hope that the following advice will help you maintain your items over the years.

When the jewellery is not being worn, keep in a cool and dry place and if store separately to avoid scratching with other items. Just as important, store in an airtight container with soft materials. This is because the less air exposure the better as it will slow down the oxidisation process which then tarnishes the silver. It is advisable to remove your silver jewellery when washing, playing sport, especially swimming, or carrying out physical work. It is also worth removing most jewellery when you are asleep. This is because it can catch on clothing or bed linen.

Normal techniques to clean sterling silver jewellery include gently washing your jewellery in warm water and mild soap, then using a soft silver cloth to clean the jewellery. If you wish to clean a delicate and intricate item, or a stone (for example, cubic zirconia or amber) then it is worth using a soft brush. You can also use a soft cloth at other times too to keep the item polished and free of dirt. You should refrain from abrasive polishes, silver dips or scrubbing tools, such as steel wool, because it will potentially damage the protective coated finish and gemstones. Ignoring such advice will increase the risk of your silver jewellery becoming damaged and tarnished. It is also advisable to try to avoid contact with chemicals, such as perfume, hair spray, deodorant, household cleaning fluids and etc.

Please note:   Our understanding of history, interpretation of knowledge and opinions expressed above are given freely. However, we cannot accept responsibility for any loss or consequence in the unlikely event of inaccurate or misleading information.

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