Jewelry Care Tips
Silver .925 Protection and Polishing
Sterling Silver (.925) is comprised of at least 92.5% pure silver, and 7.5% alloy (other metals) including, but not limited to, copper and nickel. Pure silver is too soft for molding into jewelry, and is not hard enough to withstand every-day use. Almost any silver jewelry found on the market is sterling 92.5. Sterling silver can tarnish due to a natural process when exposed to chemicals in the air, humid environments, and contact will rubber, wool, latex, and some cosmetics and body oils.
Tarnishing can be prevented and removed easily!!
ONLINE GIFTS & GADGETS recommends the following:
• Store your silver in an enclosed environment (jewelry box/chest, clothes drawer, etc.).
• Store pieces in Ziploc bags when not in use for long periods of time.
• Use anti-tarnish strips!! (see below).
• Remove early stages of tarnishing (fading, yellowing) before they get further tarnished (greying, blackening).
• Use the following tips for polishing:
• Do not use harsh chemicals or cheap products. Lots of the polishing dips on the market will make your jewelry shine until they fade and tarnish permanently within a short period of time. When a dip indicates that a piece of jewelry should be submerged for only a few seconds, we have found that that indicates that you are about to strip your jewelry!
• Use a jewelry cloth for pieces that do not require cleaning grooves or intricate stones.
• Polishing paste is great for getting into grooves and around stones. Use a soft cloth, or a toothbrush if you are not worried about dulling a very high polished surface.
• The dip is very easy with almost no cleanup. Great for removing mild residue from stones and silver. Heavy residue or tarnish will require follow-up with paste or cloth. SOME MORE INFORMATION: Sterling Silver Care & Cleaning Tips
No matter what form it takes - fine jewelry, formal tableware, or an engraved gift item - pure sterling silver requires proper care and cleaning to maintain its initial luster and brilliance. Since its much softer than many gemstones, silver requires special precautionary methods to prevent damage to its texture and composition. The good news? Caring for sterling silver doesn't have to be a laborious, time-consuming task. As long as you store it properly and keep up with regular periodic maintenance to prevent the dreaded tarnish, silver cleanings can be quick and easy.
Storing Sterling Silver
Proper storage of sterling silver jewelry and gift items goes a long way toward preserving its shine and preventing the oxidation that can cause dullness and discoloration. Below, we've compiled some quick tips for proper storage of fine silver:
< Quick Tips for Storing Sterling Silver:
* To prevent scratches, each piece should be stored individually in its own case, pouch, or compartment.
* Be sure store sterling silver in a dry, cool place. In hot climates, it should be kept in an air-conditioned room.
* Avoid keeping jewelry boxes in bathrooms, as the moist, warm air can compromise the brilliance of your sterling.
* For best results, keep your sterling silver jewelry in a case lined with tarnish-resistant material.
* If you're planning on storing a sterling silver piece for an extended period of time, try sealing it in an airtight bag (plastic works fine) to protect it from oxidation and humidity.
Cleaning Sterling Silver
Over time, dirt, makeup residue, and skin oils can build up on the surface of your sterling silver jewelry and gifts, causing the metal to become dull and cloudy. The best way to prevent this undesirable effect is to clean your pieces regularly.
As a general rule, the regular use of chemical liquid jewelry cleaners is discouraged, as they can result in the eventual discoloration of the metal. The safest and most effective way to polish sterling silver is to wipe it gently with a soft cloth. Most fine jewelry stores sell specially designed silver polishing cloths that are pre-treated with gentle chemicals to restore silver's natural brilliance, although most any soft cloth will do the trick. Avoid using coarse fibers or fabrics, such as paper or polyester, as these can result in scratching. Feel free to wipe down your stainless silver as often as you'd like to restore its shine and brilliance. It's also a good idea to perform a thorough cleaning before storing a silver piece for a long period of time.
For silver that has suffered from some degree of tarnishing, a deeper cleaning may be in order. To remove silver tarnish, you might want to try adding a small amount of mild detergent to the piece, and then use a damp cloth or fingers to rub it into the surface of the metal. To prevent potential scratching and dullness, it's a good idea to avoid scrubbing the silver with any type of brush. Following these easy tips for storing and cleaning sterling silver can help to preserve the inherent beauty and shine of this precious metal, ensuring years of enjoyment of your investment.
Other Types of Silver
In addition to sterling silver, which contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper alloy, there are many different varieties and grades of silver in production throughout the world:
• Fine silver: This type of silver has a silver content of 99.9% or higher. Fine silver is much too soft to be used in everyday applications, such as jewelry, d?r accents, or tableware. This premium class of silver is used to make bullion bars for international commerce.
• Britannia silver: A higher grade than sterling silver, Britannia has a silver content of at least 95.84%. Originating as a standard in Britain as far back as 1697, Britannia silver is denoted by a hallmark stamp of "958" to indicate its silver content, sometimes accompanied by the symbol of Britannia.
• Mexican silver: Another premium silver, Mexican silver consists of at least 95% pure silver and 5% copper. This elite form of the metal is not currently in wide circulation in Mexico; most of the silver jewelry and accents sold in Mexican marketplaces is forged from 92.5% sterling.
• Coin silver: Comprised of 90% silver and 10% copper, coin silver is made from melting down standard silver coins. Lower in silver content than sterling, this metal was widely used as silver tableware in the United States between 1820 and 1868, and as common currency until 1964.
• German silver: This term is usually used to refer to 800-standard silver, which consists of 80% silver and is commonly used for silverware, silver tableware, and decorative silver accents. 900-standard silver is another higher-grade version of German silver, and has a 90% silver content.
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