With the use that we give them day by day, the jewels can go losing shine and accumulating dirt.
Nothing that can't be fixed with a few maintenance tricks. Today I'm going to tell you how to clean silver at home safely so that your jewelry is perfect every day (and forever).
You will see how easy.
Do you want to know how silver is cleaned? First, let's see if it's Sterling Silver
It is inevitable that silver jewelry, over time, will end up turning dark. But you shouldn't worry. It does not mean that you have bought a poor quality jewel.
I explain.
Normally the silver jewelry that we buy is actually a mixture of silver and other metals.
For example, I use 925 Sterling Silver Adamina for my jewelry. Do you know what Sterling Silver is?
It is high quality silver, Composed of 92,5% pure silver.
The rest of the composition is other metals, such as copper for example.
It is necessary to do it this way, because if we used pure silver in jewelry, the pieces would be Too soft and they will deform easily. That is why we use an alloy with another metal that provides that point of hardness that pure silver does not have.
When do we consider silver to be of high quality? The regulation in Spain establishes that sterling silver must be 92,5% or more pure. Below that figure is considered second-grade silver, of lower quality.
If you want your jewelry to be with you for a long time and retain all its properties, it is best that make sure you buy quality silver. Thus, with periodic cleaning, you make sure that they remain perfect, shiny and without deformation.
Why does silver darken over time?
Because as I told you at the beginning, It is normal for a silver jewel to blacken with use.
It happens for multiple reasons, some you can prevent but others are unavoidable.
For example, the more acidic the PH of your skin, the more your silver jewelry will tend to darken. It can even happen for periods, if you take any medication that temporarily alters the PH.
It also influences the pitch change the use of perfumes, moisturizing creams, soaps… Chemicals in general affect the metal, especially when it is a continuous contact.
For example, if you put cologne on your neck every day, it is easy for your necklaces will soon start to darken.
But, as I said, nothing happens. We fix it right now.
5 simple tips to clean silver jewelry
The first thing I would tell you is that don't wait long to clean your silver jewelry. If you really want to do effective maintenance, check them from time to time and return them to their original shine.
Don't let them get too black because It will cost you more to clean them.
Then separate the jewels that have stones set, because we are going to treat separately so as not to damage any material.
There are various ways to clean silver rings, bracelets or necklaces. In fact, if you search the internet you can find a thousand and one methods (including immersion in Cocacola, the multi-purpose soft drink par excellence).
My advice is to do it like this:
- Protect yourself with latex gloves and open the window. Vapors may be produced.
- Pass all the jewels for a good jet of water with a drop of neutral soap to remove dust and impurities.
- Immerse the jewelry in a container with hot water, two tablespoons of baking soda and aluminum foil into small pieces, which will act as a magnet to attract dirt. If the jewelry is very dirty, do it twice. Then rinse and dry them with a clean cloth.
- If there are reliefs or areas that are darker than others, you can use either white spirit or a mixture of bicarbonate with an acid (which can be vinegar or lemon). Clean the area with an ear bud.
- What if they have pearls or stones set? Extreme care. Do not use abrasive or acid products that can damage them (ie skip points 3 and 4). Simply rub with a damp cloth. If more is needed, it is better to go to a professional jeweler.
Once you have all your silver jewelry ready, you can keep them longer if you take into account some more details.
How to make your silver jewelry last longer clean (this is how I do it)
Put them on at the last moment before going out. Thus, if you have perfumed or hydrated your skin, some time will have passed and the contact will be less. I confess that, when I decide on some earrings, I usually leave them on for a while... but it's not ideal, really.
Take off your rings if you wash your hands with soap; if you use detergents or even more aggressive products, with more reason. Of course, be careful not to forget them in the sink, especially if you are in a public place (yes, I have also lost a ring outside the house).
Watch out for the pool or the beach. The chlorine in the water and the saltpeter affect the silver. Oh, and outside jewelry in the gym, we don't want that are in contact with sweat.
With these tips, you will be able to keep your silver jewelry clean for longer.
Do you have any other cleaning method? Tell me how you clean your silver jewelry, I can't wait to learn new tricks!