Silver Jewelry Care: How To Keep Your 925 Pieces Gleaming

Cool and lustrous, silver has been one of the most popular jewelry metals for centuries. The 925 alloy blend is ideal for enjoying accessible luxury. It’s durable, lightweight, and incredibly chic. Embossed styles instantly create a charming bohemian feel, while solid designs exude contemporary elegance.

Silver jewelry can maintain a stunning appearance for decades, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear. However, it does require special care to maintain its gleaming exterior. Learn how to properly clean and store your sterling pieces in our silver jewelry care guide below!

Why Does Silver Jewelry Tarnish?

Silver is an all-around high quality metal. It’s naturally strong, hypoallergenic, and scratch-resistant. The one minor downside to silver is that it’s prone to tarnishing. You won’t need to worry too much if this happens though.

Tarnishing is the result of a simple chemical reaction. It occurs when silver has excessive exposure to sulfur particles in the air. Common culprits are salty air, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, and harsh chemicals such as bleach or chlorine.

The good news is that tarnishing is easy to remove from silver jewelry. You’ll just need to give it a good clean, but it’s always good to take preventative measures to avoid tarnishing in the first place.

How To Care For Silver Jewelry

The easiest way to care for silver jewelry is to wear it as often as possible! The skin’s natural oils will keep silver shiny and beautiful. This is another reason why sterling silver is a fantastic choice for everyday jewelry.

Remember that sterling silver should be taken off when engaging in certain activities to prevent damage and tarnishing:

Cleaning and outdoor chores
Showering/bathing
Swimming, especially in chlorinated or salt water
Applying lotions, cosmetics, or fragrances
Exercising
Cooking

Follow the ‘last on, first off’ rule to make sure your silver jewelry looks its best. This just means that your jewelry should be the last thing you put on when you’re getting ready, and the first thing you take off when you wind down.

How To Clean Silver Jewelry

Silver jewelry should be cleaned regularly to maintain its distinctive gleam. Here are a few easy ways to keep your silver pieces clean:

If it’s a solid silver piece (without gemstones) …

Wash in warm water with a mild detergent or gentle soap, and dry completely with a soft, clean cloth.
Scrub it with a natural bristle toothbrush. This step is only necessary if the original soapy water mixture wasn’t enough to remove tarnishing.
Use a special silver polishing cloth. Rub gently over your jewelry until it’s sparkling again.

If it’s a silver gemstone piece …

Research care tips that apply to the gemstone. Many gems can be washed in warm, soapy water, but some don’t do well in water and should simply be polished.

Avoid silver dips. They may provide a temporary shine, but prolonged use will damage the jewelry’s surface over time. Silver dips work by dissolving silver sulfide, which makes the jewelry more prone to tarnishing in the long run.

How To Store Silver Jewelry

Proper storage is essential for taking preventative measures. Here are some tips to follow when storing your silver jewelry:

Store in a cool, dry area free of moisture and humidity
Keep out of direct sunlight
Store in an airtight jewelry box, a soft pouch, or even a ziploc bag for protection. Didier Dubot provides soft pouches with every purchase for your convenience!
Separate your jewelry to avoid scratches, tangles, and other damage

Additional steps…

You can invest in anti-tarnish strips to line your jewelry box or soft pouch. Placing small silica bags inside your pouch or box will also help absorb moisture.

Remember, the more preventative measures you take, the easier it will be to clean your jewelry. Avoid strenuous deep cleans by regularly polishing your jewelry in between wears.

Follow these tips, and your silver jewelry will look incredible for years to come!

Writer: Maria Polansky