I've always loved the look of silver jewelry. There's something so classic and elegant about it. But, like many, I've struggled with keeping it looking its best. I've bought pieces that tarnished quickly or seemed to lose their shine. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve learned a few things about selecting and caring for silver jewelry that I want to share with you.
I remember being so excited when I bought a beautiful pair of silver earrings. They were marked '925', which I thought meant they were high quality. However, after only a few wears, they started to look dull and tarnished. I tried everything I could think of to clean them, but nothing seemed to work. I was so frustrated! This experience led me down a rabbit hole of researching silver jewelry and how to properly care for it. I realized that not all silver is created equal, and proper cleaning is essential.
I also had a necklace that I suspected wasn't entirely what it seemed. It was marked '925', but it felt lighter than my other sterling silver pieces. I started to wonder if it was just plated silver. This made me realize the importance of being able to distinguish between real sterling silver and plated silver. I wanted to make sure I was getting what I paid for.
One of the first things I learned is that sterling silver will tarnish. It's a natural reaction to things like air, sunlight, moisture, and even chemicals in hair products and lotions. While I initially thought tarnish was a sign of low quality, I now understand it's simply part of owning silver jewelry. Knowing this helped me manage my expectations and focus on finding effective cleaning methods.
I tried using an ultrasonic cleaner, hoping it would magically remove the tarnish from my earrings. Unfortunately, it didn't work. That's when I discovered that ultrasonic cleaners aren't effective at removing tarnish. I needed to find a different solution.
I also learned that real silver doesn't "permanently tarnish." If you're wearing it in the shower or while swimming, it might tarnish faster, but you can always clean it. Speaking of wearing jewelry, I've been loving this Seed Bead Chain Necklace from BlingCharming Accessories. It's a fun, punk-inspired piece that adds a unique touch to any outfit. I've found that keeping it in a dry place and wiping it down occasionally helps prevent tarnish.
One trick I found helpful was using a jewelry magnet. Sterling silver will not attract a magnet, while plated silver often will. I bought a small magnet online and started testing my jewelry. It was a quick and easy way to identify pieces that might be plated rather than solid sterling silver.
I also discovered "Sunshine cloths" for polishing sterling silver. They're amazing! They last forever, even when the cloth turns dark. You can polish your jewelry as much or as little as you want. I keep one in my jewelry box and another in my bag for quick touch-ups. They’re perfect for maintaining the shine of pieces from BlingCharming Accessories and other favorite brands.
Believe it or not, I even tried using crest toothpaste on a sterling silver piece! I was surprised at how shiny it got. It looked like new again. However, I wouldn't recommend doing this regularly, as it can be abrasive.
My go-to method now is keeping a good quality silver polishing cloth with my jewelry. It's the easiest way to keep my pieces looking their best. I even keep one in my bag for on-the-go touch-ups. The key is to polish regularly to prevent tarnish from building up.
Here are some practical tips I've learned along the way: