No one can deny the fact that silver jewelry is one of the most mesmerizing and dynamic metallic materials in the world. Whether it be bracelets or charms you are looking for, silver jewelry has a unique look when worn. However, silver tends to get oxidized when frequently used. Therefore, if you are worried about marks or faded silver, we are here with some unique ways to clean your silver jewelry!
This guide will outline the simple ways in which you can store and care for your sterling silver, reducing the tarnished appearance that can set in over a period of time, which can make your jewelry unwearable.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Has your silver ring worn out because it’s old? If yes, then you can polish it up, and it can seem brand new once again. All you have to do is drop vinegar and a pinch of baking soda in a few tablespoons of water. After that, put your ring it the solution and allow it to rest for a while. Take your ring out, and you will see that its sparkle has been revived!
Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
If you need to clean off the deposits of different minerals on your silver bracelet, then you can rub it off using olive oil and lemon juice. The mark left by the deposit of different minerals can make it almost impossible to scrub it off. How do you fix this? Well, just take a small amount of lemon juice and olive oil. After that, rub it onto your sterling silver bracelet. You will find that the marks have disappeared.
White vinegar and baking soda
The excessive use of hard water while taking a bath or washing hands tends to leave a layer of mineral deposits on your silver jewelry. This might start to ruin the look of your jewelry altogether. You can use white vinegar and baking soda to remove the deposits and clean the stains completely. You will see a fizz in this mixture, which is good for cleaning bacteria as well.
Commercial silver polishes
The commercial silver cleaners available consist of powerful solvents which are able to remove any stains and marks. This can make your jewelry look brand new. However, it is essential to know that some commercial silver cleaners are too strong and can harm your silver jewelry and might make it tarnish more quickly! Buy and use with caution!
Denture Tablet Solution
Not only rings but also the silver earrings and bangles can be washed with the denture tablet solution to make them look new. You just have to dip your jewelry in a mixture of warm water and a tablet for approximately half an hour. You will notice a huge difference for sure.
Aluminum foil and baking soda
Aluminum foil can work wonders for the nasty and hard Stains on silver. Just fill the pan with lukewarm water. After that, you have to add the baking soda and a ball of aluminum foil in the pan. You will see your jewelry glistening once again. Foil is a great way to disinfect your jewelry and make it new. It can work wonders on the silver jewelry and ornaments.
Therefore, you can use baking soda in a combination of other ingredients which will wash away any stain. You just have to soak your jewelry in the mixture and wait a few hours. You will see the stains deposited due to hard water and mineral deposit are gone.
We also recommend using a small brush to work out really hard stains or deep marks. An old toothbrush is ideal!
Find gorgeous silver jewelry at Black Diamond.
Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry
Silver jewelry that gives a clean sparkle is wonderful to look at. Everyone loves to own sparkling jewelry items, but to maintain the sparkle in them is no easy task. Silver tends to lose its shine over a period of time, can have a tarnished appearance and a blackish color instead of its original silver sheen. When some chemicals come in contact with sterling silver objects, it gets tarnished. Certain conditions in the climate are also responsible for getting it tarnished, and hence cleaning sterling silver jewelry regularly is very important.
It is extremely difficult to prevent tarnishing in silver as sometimes even the simplest of things like onions, eggs, and even rubber could cause it. However hard you may try, one thing is certain, and that is jewelry in sterling silver needs to be cleaned regularly. If silver jewelry turns too black then cleaning it becomes more difficult and hence you must get it cleaned every now and then. Methods to clean sterling silver jewelry are many. The extent of tarnishing needs to be considered first.
Different types of products for cleaning are available commercially in the market where a particular solution has to be made, and sterling silver objects can be dipped in them to get the tarnish removed. Preparing the solution is not at all difficult as all that you need to do is follow instructions mentioned on the cleaning product. A few tips can be kept in mind to clean Sterling jewelry products. There are wipes, cloth, soaps, polish, dips, as well as kits for cleaning this range of jewelry. There are also cleaning products of the ultrasonic type, which help greatly in extreme tarnish cases.
The ultrasonic liquids are very effective. For the purpose of regular cleaning, the medium, as well as mild cleaning products, are perfect. A few home-made remedies would also suffice for cleaning sterling silver jewelry items. Ingredients that are easily available like foil of aluminum, salt, water, dish soap, baking soda, a strainer, a towel, and a pot are needed. Once the foil made of aluminum is placed touching all the insides of the pot, the other ingredients need to be simply mixed and voila! Following the step by step instructions given will ensure that your jewelry passes down as an heirloom.
Ingredients like water, baking soda, liquid dishwashing soap, and salt need to be mixed well and boiled on low heat. Put off the burner and place the sterling silver jewelry in the solution to soak well for some time. The jewelry can be rinsed under clean water to wash off the solution. Once this is done, the jewelry should be wiped clean with the towel. Another home remedy to clean silver is to dampen silver jewelry and rub some toothpaste all over it with a soft brush. After rinsing and cleaning it, you will find it sparkling. Rough residue or particles in the solution could develop scratches on the sterling silver jewelry so great care must be taken.
Caring For Your New Silver Jewelry
Toothpaste: Some have recommended using toothpaste to clean silver jewelry; we do not suggest doing this because toothpaste contains small abrasive granules which can leave scratches on your silver.
How to Clean Sterling Silver with Rhodium and Cubic Zirconia
Below is the method used for cleaning sterling silver jewelry with rhodium and cubic zirconia. If you follow this protocol for cleaning all silver jewelry with rhodium and CZ, you will find that your jewelry retains its shiny new-looking appearance. This method also works well for sterling silver jewelry without rhodium or cubic zirconia.
- Thoroughly clean the silver with a silver cleaning cloth. For items that are really dirty or have a lot of tarnish, rub the item really well. We consider this to be the most important step because how well you clean the piece will profoundly affect its appearance.
- Polish the silver using a jewelry polishing cloth. Now that the item is clean, this step will bring out the shine in your silver.
- Remove residue from the stones and silver. This step is important for bringing back the brilliance in cubic zirconia. To remove residue from the stones and the silver, immerse the item in liquid fine jewelry cleaner and brush it with a clean, soft brush. (DO NOT USE SILVER DIP – this will ruin jewelry with rhodium and CZ).
- Rinse the item with cool water and dry with a soft, clean cloth. You can use a soft washcloth or the outer cloth of your silver polishing cloth.
How To Care For Your Silver Jewelry
- Wear your jewelry to help prevent tarnish; wearing and handling will slow the oxidation process and keep your silver shiny and new looking.
- Minimize scratches by storing your jewelry in cloth pouches, small plastic bags, and in separate compartments in your jewelry box.
- Take care of your silver jewelry now: it will last a lifetime and can be passed down as heirloom jewelry for future generations.
Happy Cleaning!
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