Everything You Need to Know About Sterling Silver Jewellery: Care, Maintenance & Preventing Tarnishing


When it comes to jewellery, silver is often the top choice. Its radiant, lustrous appeal adds elegance to any look. However, if you’re a fan of silver ornaments, you’ve probably faced the frustrating issue of tarnishing -  which is fixable


Why Does Silver Tarnish?

Tarnishing occurs when silver reacts with elements like moisture, sulphur, or chemicals in its environment, leading to oxidation and a blackened appearance.

Here are the main culprits:
1. Cosmetic Products
    • Perfumes, lotions, shampoos, and other beauty products contain chemicals that react with silver, causing it to tarnish.

2. Moisture

    • Humidity and moisture react with the copper content in sterling silver, leading to oxidation
3. Sulphur Exposure
    • Polluted or industrial environments with high sulphur content can accelerate tarnishing.

 

Witnessing Tarnish? Here’s How to Fix It

  1. You can purchase our jewellery cleaning solution along with the polishing cloth
  2. Alternativly, soak your necklace in a solution of mild dishwashing liquid and warm water for 2-5 minutes. After soaking, rinse with cold water and gently dry with a microfiber cloth.

6 Tips to Prevent Silver Jewellery from Tarnishing

1. Wear It Regularly
    • The natural oils in your skin act as a protective barrier, preventing silver from reacting with sulphur in the air. So, don’t let your jewellery sit unused!

2. Store In a Dry Environment
    • Moisture is a primary cause of tarnishing. Store your silver in dry, airtight containers like zip-lock bags or jewellery boxes to keep it safe.

3. Add Chalk to Storage
    • Placing a few pieces of chalk in your jewellery container helps absorb moisture, reducing the risk of tarnish.

4. Clean It Regularly
    • Silver pieces are ment to be worn dialy - 24/7. Swaet and chemicals are bound to touch the silver so clean the piece as soon as you spot the first signs of tarnish to prevent long-term damage.

5. Store Separately
    • Metals can react with one another, so store silver jewellery separately from other types to avoid unnecessary tarnishing.

6. Avoid Rubber
    • Rubber contains sulphur, which can tarnish silver. Avoid using rubber bands or storing jewellery near rubber products.

FAQs Abou Sterling Silver

Fixing Tarnishing
1. Can you fix the silver that has turned black/tarnished?
    • Yes, it is!

 

  • 2. How can you fix tarnished items?  
    • You can purchase our jewellery cleaning solution along with the polishing cloth
    • Alternativly, soak your necklace in a solution of mild dishwashing liquid and warm water for 2-5 minutes. After soaking, rinse with cold water and gently dry with a microfiber cloth.

 

3. What keeps silver shiny?
    • Proper storage, regular cleaning, and avoiding exposure to moisture, and chemicals can help keep silver shiny. 

 

925 Steling Silver vs. Pure Silver:

1. What type of silver does SK Jeweller sell?

    • We at SK Jeweller sell 925 Sterling Silver items that is mainly sorcesd from Itally

2. Why does SK Jewllers sell 925 Sterling Silver?

    • We at SK Jewellers prefer to sell 925 Sterling Silver items as it is an alloy made that is made out of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (commonly copper). The added metals enhance the durability of the item, making it perfect for jewellery. Sterling silver still retains its bright appearance while being more resistant to everyday wear and tear.

3. What is the Difference Between Sterling Silver & Pure Silver 

925 Sterling Silver  Pure Silver  
Sterling silver, is an alloy made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals (commonly copper). The added metals enhance durability, making it perfect for jewellery. Sterling silver still retains its bright appearance while being more resistant to everyday wear and tear. Pure silver is composed of 99.9% silver, making it incredibly soft and malleable. While its shine is unmatched, it’s not ideal for crafting durable jewellery due to its softness.
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