A Guide to Cleaning Silver Jewelry

Cleaning silver jewelry is not difficult. Making it a regular habit is the single most important thing you can do to keep your favorite necklaces, bracelets and earrings looking their best.

This metal, as you already know, tarnishes over time. The technical name for tarnish is silver sulfide. It is formed when hydrogen sulfide in the air reacts with the metal. Hydrogen sulfide is quite common, found in everything from onions and eggs to rubber and fossil fuels.

Although tarnish is inevitable, there are a few things you can do to slow the process. First, after use, it's a good idea to wipe off your jewelry with a soft cloth before putting it away.

You can also take precautions to protect your pieces when they are stored. For example, you can store the jewelry with anti-tarnish strips. These strips contain activated charcoal, which absorbs pollutants in the air. You can also place packets of silica gel granules in your jewelry box to absorb any humidity in the air.

There are many products, including pastes and dips, that you can buy to remove silver tarnish. However, you have to be careful. Silver is a soft metal, and it is easily scratched. On top of that, many jewelry pieces are silver-plated, and the plating can be scratched off with abrasive pastes and cloths. If you jewelry has gemstones, make sure you chose a paste that is safe for use with gemstones. You will also want to avoid dips, as these can be absorbed by porous gemstones and will deteriorate them.

When used carefully, dips and pastes are effective methods for cleaning silver jewelry. However, there are also all natural methods using products found in your kitchen. One method is to make a paste of baking soda and water. Rub the paste on your pieces, rinse, then dry with a soft cloth.

Another method, which is good for cleaning the intricate detailed areas of your jewelry, is to place aluminum foil at the bottom of a glass jar or bowl. Fill the container half full with hot water, and dissolve a tablespoon or two of salt in the water. Place your jewelry in the solution, and shake or swirl it. Let it sit for a couple of minutes. During this time, the salt and aluminum work together as a magnet to pull the tarnish off your jewelry. When finished, remove your jewelry from the solution, rinse under clean water, and then dry with a soft towel.

Finally, it's important to get in the habit of cleaning silver jewelry on a regular basis. The more tarnish that builds up on your pieces, the more difficult it will be to remove.