Have you ever wondered how to keep your jewellery clean and shiny? Luckily, it’s simple to clean your sterling silver jewellery with our top tips. Read onto discover how to keep your favourite silver pieces sparkling like new:
Why Does Silver Tarnish?
Silver can tarnish over time because of a chemical reaction that occurs between the metals in silver and moisture, as well as sulphur present in the air.
When metals are exposed to the air they undergo a chemical process called oxidisation which can cause silver to tarnish. Cosmetics such as perfume and lotions can also result in tarnishing.
How Do You Clean Silver Jewellery?
Our sterling silver jewellery can be cleaned using a Lily Blanche polish cloth which is included in our jewellery care kit. Our polish cloths come complimentary with our lockets and can be also purchased on the website. The polish cloth is made by Town Talk polish, a leading manufacturer of metal cleaning products.
The cloth will remove any tarnishing, it includes special anti-tarnishing agents to keep your jewellery shining. What’s more, the cloth is reusable, so you can use it time and time again.
You may notice that your cloth turns black when you wipe your jewellery, this is not dirt but instead a chemical reaction taking place which shows that the cloth is working properly.
Tip - It is best not to use any other liquids or polish cloths as they may damage the surface of the jewellery.
If your jewellery contains gemstones, such as emeralds, rubies or sapphires, please take care when wiping these down to avoid damaging the stone. Avoid submerging any stones into liquid as this can loosen the stone.
How to Care For Your Silver Jewellery:
Cleaning your silver jewellery is simple but what if you could make it even easier by properly caring for your jewellery.
By caring for your favourite pieces, this can help to reduce tarnishing, so you don’t have to clean them as frequently.
The key is to reduce the amount of air and moisture silver is exposed to.
Follow these four simple steps to care for your jewellery:
1. Wear your jewellery – by wearing your jewellery more often it will become more used to friction which is great for reducing tarnishing. A win win!
2. Store your jewellery in a Lily Blanche anti-tarnish jewellery storage pouch which comes free with all of our personalised lockets
Our jewellery storage pouch is made of state-of-the-art anti-tarnish technology developed in the USA. This award-winning intercept technology was invented during the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. Plus, our storage pouch is also 100% recyclable.
3. It is best to avoid storing your silver jewellery with non-precious metals such as stainless steel which can encourage tarnishing.
4. Remove your jewellery when engaging in the following activities:
- Household chores such as washing dishes
- Showering, bathing or swimming in pools, hot tubs or the ocean
- Using hair products, fragrances, or other cosmetics
- Exercising at the gym or doing sport
This helps reduce the amount of moisture your jewellery is exposed to and prevents tarnishing. Once your skin is dry, pop your jewellery back on to enjoy.
Why Choose Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is a popular metal type due to its strength. All of our silver jewellery such as our silver locket necklace are sterling silver, identified by their ‘925’ stamp. Our lockets are hallmarked by the Edinburgh Assay Office, to give you confidence in the materials used in the piece.
Sterling silver is a great choice for jewellery because when it is properly cared for it can last a long time.
By following these simple steps of cleaning and caring for your jewellery, your favourite pieces will be clean and shining to help you feel your best when wearing them.
