Sterling silver care guide
GENERAL CARE GUIDELINES
A lot of people often forget that jewelry is meant to be decorative, not indestructible. How you care for your jewelry is what determines how long they will last. Here are some basic guidelines to consider when wearing jewelry:
- Remove your jewelry before bathing: Soap can cause a film to build-up that will make your jewelry and stones appear dull and cloudy
- Remove your jewelry during tasks: When performing any manual tasks, remove your jewelry to prevent physical damage or exposure to chemicals or cleaning fluids. Avoid physical contact tasks when wearing jewelry including kitchen chores, gardening, housework, moving furniture and other common tasks
- Put your jewelry on after cosmetics and makeup: Cosmetics, hairspray, perfumes and lotions can contain chemicals that can often damage or cause build-up on your jewelry and stones. Putting on your jewelry after applying these items will limit exposure and prevent any potential damage or build-up
- Don't wear jewelry in swimming pools and spas: Chlorinated water can react with sterling silver to cause color changes and even structural changes. Exposure to chlorine can cause your sterling silver jewelry to break!
- Take off your jewelry when playing contact sports: Hard blows during sporting activities can damage jewelry and could also cause injury. You should always take off your jewelry before engaging in sports
- Store your jewelry carefully when not in use:
GENERAL CLEANING GUIDELINES
Because silver is much softer than other metals, it requires special cleaning methods to avoid damaging the item
For general cleaning you should polish your jewelry regularly with a jewelry polishing cloth. We provide all of our customers with one at the time of purchase.Never use rough or coarse fabrics like tissue or paper towels as this will scratch and damage the surface of the metal
Never use harsh chemical cleaners, especially those containing bleach.
Only use warm water to clean jewelry because hot water can cause a reaction with the cleaning solutions resulting in discoloration of your sterling silver.
Consider taking your piece in for professional cleaning and rhodium-plating every 6 months or so. We provide one year of complimentary cleaning and polishing to restore your ring to its original lustre.
Check your jewelry regularly for any signs of damage and take it in for repairs to prevent more significant damage down the line.
AT-HOME TARNISH REMOVAL
- Allow your jewelry to soak in a bowl of warm soapy water for a few minutes. A few drops of dishwashing liquid is ideal and will help dissolve any grease from body oils which may have trapped dirt on the jewelry and stones
- With a soft child's toothbrush gently wash the jewelry to break up trapped dirt. Make sure you get the underside of your stone with the brush to remove build-up
- Rinse in warm clean water and pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use tissue or paper towels!!!
STERLING SILVER STORAGE
The method of storage you use for your silver jewelry is just as important as regular cleaning and polishing.
To prevent oxidation and tarnish, your silver jewelry should be stored in a soft pouch, plastic bag or jewelry box.
Avoid keeping your silver jewelry in warm, moist environments like bathrooms. Instead, store your jewelry in a dry and cool location
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
