|
Silver Care & Cleaning Tips
.925 Sterling Silver
The universal fineness mark for sterling silver is “.925” which is stamped inside the item for identification as sterling silver. Sterling silver is a
beautiful metal that will last for generations with proper care. Many people prefer the patina of aged silver to the brighter shine of the ‘new’ metal. A good cleaning once in a while will help to maintain its
luster and protect it from tarnishing.
Silver tarnishes when exposed to air, so it’s a good idea to keep your silver in ziploc baggies
or an airtight container when not in use. This will help to retard the tarnishing process. That applies to your household silver as well. You can also use 3M Anti-Tarnish strips in your silver drawer to help retard tarnishing. If you follow these simple guidelines, you will not have to clean your silver as often.
One thing you want to be very careful of, is what you use to clean your silver. Avoid ammonia-based dips as they will eventually eat away the finish of the metal. Never
use toothpaste as it is very abrasive. Do Not store your jewelry in cotton filled gift boxes. They are usually not made with anti-tarnish papers.
Silver Plate
Never place your silverplated dinnerware in a dishwasher! Wash in warm, soapy water and polish with a polishing cloth.
Oxidized Sterling
The process of oxidation has been added to enhance details, or create the “antiqued” look. Oxidized sterling should only be cleaned with a polishing
cloth. Never dip oxidized sterling, as this will remove the oxidation, or “antiquing”.
Safe Silver Cleaners
We offer a variety of silver cleaners which are safe and effective for use on your jewelry and gift items. Our (popular) metal plate silver cleaners
are an excellent way to safely clean your sterling silver, silverplate, and many other metals. See our Silver Care section for more details.
|
