Ways To Help Make Your Silver Jewellery Look Great At All Times

By Author: Jo Alelsto
Total Articles: 405
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Even the most lustrous silver jewellery can look ugly when neglected. Keeping your silver ornaments looking good for a long time is not a difficult task. As a matter of fact, you can keep your silver necklaces or bracelets looking polished all the time with proper storage alone to prevent exposure to harmful tarnishing elements like moisture and dust. The problem is many people do not know how to take good care of their priced jewels and there are some who do neglect the importance of cleaning them. Sterling silver is not inexpensive, so you should make it a point to keep it looking great for a long time. Keep in mind that even if you buy the most polished, highest grade silver accessories, they will get tarnished quickly with neglect.

The most popular form of silver used by jewelers is sterling silver, which is made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Silver is a weak metal, so jewellery makers ensure strength of silver by adding other metals to make it long lasting and resistant. However, there are fake replicas of silver jewels out there, so you better be aware they exist. Fake silver necklaces or rings easily ...
... wear out and get tarnished. Sterling silver items resist deterioration due to elements (sunlight, humidity, dust, and chemicals). But even if you buy the best genuine items, they will fray due to improper wearing and keeping. They may also become damaged when exposed to tough chemicals. Bathing in pool with chlorine can be harmful to your silver jewels because this chemical can cause corrosion. In addition to chlorine, alcohol, ammonia, and acetone are other common household substances that can damage silver. Of course, strong chemicals (acids and alkalis) should not come any closer to your silver items.

You can bring your dirty or tarnished jewels to a jeweler for cleaning. But you can usually do the cleaning without much professional help. All you need are soft brush, water perhaps, and some cleaning agent. You can use an old toothbrush provided it is clean and has soft bristles. A brush comes handy when cleaning necklaces with interlocking small chains. You can use a soft, lint-free cloth when cleaning or wiping bracelets and silver jewels without intricate patterns and designs. Regarding cleaning solutions, some people have tried cleaning tarnished silver using baking powder and have seen fairly good results. Never use abrasive cloths and scouring cleaners because they rub hard on the silver surface and damage the delicate metal. Scratch marks can easily appear on silver surfaces if you are not careful.

Most of the time cleaning your silver necklaces, pendants, or rings involves removing of the oxidation and dirt accumulation on surfaces, ridges, and joints. Oils from your skin can also come in contact with the silver accessories. Nothing is more convenient than going to your jeweler or visiting a jewellery shop to ask for a silver cleaner. This is usually a gentle cleaning solution that effectively cleanses your priced rings, earrings, necklaces, or anklets made of sterling silver. A commercial silver cleaning solution is often quite effective in cleaning hard to clean grooves.

If you cannot find a silver cleaning product anywhere or you are already out of time or budget, you can prepare a home-made silver cleaning formula. You would need an aluminum foil, a small basin perhaps, some hot water, and baking soda. Blemishes on silver items due to oxidation may be removed by the combination of aluminum and sodium bicarbonate in baking soda.

Sometimes people do more harm than good when attempting to clean their jewellery items, which after all are delicate items. To make sure they stay looking good without having to clean them, appropriate storage is necessary. Keep them in their cases when not in use. Avoid wearing silver rings, bracelets, or necklaces if you are doing activities that will make you perspire because sweat can tarnish your silver accessories in the long run.
Jo is an author and publisher for 'Silver Jewellery Online' (http://www.silver-jewellery-online.co.uk), a firm which supplies simply the finest sterling silver and fashion jewellery to match everyone's budget and style. In case you're looking for excellent quality but reasonably priced silver jewellery or would like to keep pace with the hottest trend then don't hesitate to look around Silver Jewellery Online and indulge in their unique and luxurious collections.