Luminous, beautiful and affordable, silver is one of the most widely used precious metals, making exceptional jewelry. Silver jewelry does, however, require special attention, as it darkens and loses its splendour over time. This is a natural phenomenon that is simply the consequence of a chemical reaction. In fact, silver jewelry is made of ferrous alloys that oxidize on contact with skin, air and certain external elements. Planetys reveals here all the tips you need to care for and clean your silver jewelry.
How to care for your silver jewelry
First of all, let’s start with a few easy-to-follow tips that will help your jewelry last the test of time:
- –We advise you to remove your silver jewelry before sleeping or showering.
- –Don’t use any chemical products to care for them.
- –Avoid wearing them when handling harmful products during cleaning.
- –They should be kept away from seawater or chlorinated water.
- – Alwaysstore your jewelry in an airtight pouch before placing it in a clean jewelry box.
- –To preserve their quality, you need to maintain them regularly, and keep damage to a minimum.
Cleaning silver jewelry with chamois cloth
Chamoisine is a fluffy cotton cloth used by many professionals for jewelry care. It can be used to revitalize necklaces, rings, bracelets and other silver jewelry. To obtain an effortless shine, gently rub the jewel dry with the cloth in circular movements to obtain a perfect shine.
Gentle and easy to handle, it requires no additional items to shine silver metal. Chamois can be purchased for a modest sum from jewelry stores or specialized websites.
Be aware, however, that this piece of fabric will darken over time. You’ll need to renew your chamois regularly to ensure effective care.
You should also consider coating your jewelry with rhodium to protect it from oxidation. This is a plating process performed under electrolysis to keep jewels looking like new over time. Rhodium-plated silver jewelry can have a color close to white gold. However, its hue can be altered if it is combined with other components. At Planetys, we offer a wide range of rhodium-plated jewelry in a variety of creative designs.
Use white vinegar
To ensure that your silver jewelry retains its original lustre, you can also use white vinegar. It’s one of the simplest and most economical natural substances you can use to make silver bracelets or necklaces sparkle. It works on all types of jewelry, from the newest to the oldest.
Don’t hesitate to use it to restore the splendor of jewelry you keep for a lifetime, such as necklaces from yesteryear. Simply immerse them in a container of white vinegar for 2 to 3 hours. Then rinse with water and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. If white vinegar is not available, you can also use spirit vinegar.
Cleaning silver jewelry with baking soda
Cleaning jewelry with baking soda is a very effective grandmotherly method. This powder, generally used in cooking, is known as a natural whitener. It is particularly effective for removing dirt from jewels set with stones, which need to be handled with care.
Create a bicarbonate paste by mixing the powder with a small amount of water. Scrub the jewelry with a toothbrush. Remember, however, to choose a tool with soft bristles to respect the stones. After cleaning, remove any residual moisture with a soft cloth to avoid scratching.
A beer bath
If you’re looking for a good solution for cleaning all your silver objects, consider beer. Beyond its gustatory qualities, this beverage is a great ally, with the ability to make any silver jewel shine. So gather up all your earrings, bracelets and necklaces and soak them in a container of beer overnight. The next day, you’ll be able to appreciate the effectiveness of this technique. Your jewels will have regained all their lustre.
Coca-Cola
This soda is one of the best products for sublimating silver. Well-known for its ability to clean all types of dirt, this liquid is particularly useful for silver jewelry. Thanks to the phosphoric acid contained in colas, it effectively removes dirt and oxidation. The acid’s action on the metal is fast and effective.
Cleaning with this drink is just as easy as with other grandmother’s solutions. To use this method, simply immerse the jewelry in a glass of cola overnight. Rinse thoroughly the next day to remove all traces of sugar. You’ll be amazed at the final result. Don’t hesitate to immerse silver jewelry again if stains persist.
Lemon juice to clean silver jewelry
Using lemon juice to remove silver oxidation is an old, tried-and-tested trick. This solution is perfect if you’re short on time for effective cleaning. Simply dip a soft-bristled brush in fresh lemon juice. Then scrub until the desired shine is achieved. Rinse with clean water, then wipe dry with a soft cloth. Whether the jewel is stoned or not, this process will care for it perfectly without damaging it.
Brushing with toothpaste
Have you tried toothpaste to clean your silver jewelry? Toothpaste is one of nature’s inexpensive tricks that works. Toothpaste’s abrasive properties are gentle. As well as having a polishing effect on metals, it is totally harmless to stones. It can make any silver jewel shine.
However, you’ll need to choose an organic or natural toothpaste to protect the jewel. The trick is simple: rub the jewel to be cleaned with a used toothbrush, preferably with soft bristles and toothpaste. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Caring for silver jewelry with ashes
If you have a fireplace, think about your blackened silver jewelry before throwing out the ashes. In fact, ash performs on silver the equivalent of a gentle exfoliation on the skin. It removes all black spots with just a few gentle strokes, giving your jewelry a new lease of life.
Planetys recommends mixing the ash with water and inducting a wipe before applying to the jewelry. Cotton buds also have the necessary softness to clean in the best possible conditions. However, it is essential to use cold ash to preserve the quality of the jewels.
Cleaning with clay stone
Clay stone or silver stone is an environmentally-friendly product, ideal for cleaning jewelry. It enhances your jewels in just a few minutes, without any effort. It’s made from limestone, soap and glycerine. This composition provides effective cleaning action to delicately refurbish your jewels.
To take advantage of its benefits, you can mix it with warm water and rub it directly into the jewel. You can also use a damp cloth to remove the clay stone. Apply the cloth to the jewel, then rinse and dry.
Meudon white
Would you like to restore the sparkling surface of your silver jewelry? The virtues of blanc de Meudon will surprise you. This product, composed of calcium and clay, comes in the form of a white, low-abrasive powder. Widely used in domestic tasks for a variety of purposes, it’s ideal for giving silverware a new lease of life.
Blanc de Meudon quickly transforms into a paste on contact with water. Simply take two tablespoons of powder and mix with cold or lukewarm water to obtain a smooth paste. Apply this paste to the jewelry or with a cotton wipe. Rub all oxidized silver jewelry. Once the desired result has been achieved, rinse and dry with a dry cloth.
Salt and aluminum foil
Please note that the following tip is only to be used on solid silver jewelry (without stones or pearls).
To get rid of blackened silver, another natural method is to dissolve imperfections by immersing jewelry in a bowl of salt water for 30 seconds. However, this salt bath is recommended for silver jewelry without inlaid stones.
- –Fill a pan halfway with water.
- –Place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of the pan, shiny side down.
- –Sprinkle the foil with coarse salt or bicarbonate of soda and place the jewels on top, without crowding them.
- – Heatthe water until simmering (approx. 30 minutes).
The aluminum foil attacks the silver sulfide and regenerates the material. Wrapping the jewelry in aluminum foil facilitates ion exchange to boost the chemical reaction. The jewels quickly regain their beauty.
From now on, all you have to do is take care of them by adopting good habits to preserve them.
Wondering how to clean your silver jewelry?
Now you know all the tips you need to keep your jewels shining and looking their best over time. However, if you’re worried about damaging your jewels while trying to clean them, we advise you to entrust them to a professional jeweler.
