Jewelry Care Tips
Can I be honest? Before I started my silversmithing journey, I really couldn’t consider myself a “jewelry person.” Aside from a few staples and some special occasion pieces tucked into a drawer, I didn’t wear much and certainly didn’t know how to properly care for it. Now that I make pieces that so deeply speak to me, I’ve picked up a handful of tips to make sure these treasures last, and remain looking as beautiful as the day they were made—for years to come.
Sterling Silver
Tarnish
Tarnish is a natural darkening of silver with exposure to water, skin oils, and air—so basically, it’s inevitable! Luckily, it’s easy to remove by buffing with a jewelry polish cloth. That will remove the tarnish and leave a high shine.
Pieces with a satin or matte finish can be gently buffed with the abrasive side of a 3M dish sponge. This will remove tarnish but leave a close approximation of the original finish, instead of the high shine.
General care and storage
As a general rule, remove your jewelry before washing hands, bathing, swimming, applying lotion, or sleeping.
The chemicals in chlorinated pools can speed up tarnish—some hot tubs will almost immediately turn your silver black!—so definitely take it off before pool use.
Always remove ALL jewelry before enjoying a natural mineral springs. The sulphur in the water is the same chemical we jewelers use to intentionally oxidize the silver, and it will discolor and darken the silver.
Since water can so easily lead to tarnishing, don’t leave your jewelry in the bathroom! It’s one of the most humid rooms of the house. Instead. store your treasures in a closed, dry place in your bedroom. That’s why a nice jewelry box comes in handy!
Copper, Brass, and Mixed Metals
Copper and brass (which contains copper) can tarnish more easily than sterling silver, so keep the above guidelines in mind. Both metals can be polished with a jewelry polishing cloth. An even more effective way to remove the tarnish is to gently scrub with an abrasive dish sponge, a drop of soap, and warm water.
Some people have increased sensitivity to metals such as copper and brass, which is why I aim to apply these metals only to the face of my jewelry. If you have a sensitivity, take extra care with these metals. Even without sensitivity, prolonged contact can turn the skin green. Don’t sleep in any copper jewelry that touches your skin.
Sea Glass, Stones, and Shells
Although sea glass itself is water-safe (after all, it was created in the salted waves!) sea glass jewelry is not. Due to the natural imperfections in the shape of the glass, it may be possible for water to seep into the bezel and tarnish the silver behind the glass, showing dark spots that can’t be removed. It’s always best to remove sea glass jewelry before entering the water.
Sea glass, stones, and sea shells are typically very hard materials, but like any gem or natural stone, they can crack or chip if knocked against a hard surface.
Never use vinegar to clean jewelry with seashells (including abalone), as the acid can weaken and disintegrate the shell.
When cleaning any piece with glass, stone, or shell, take care not to scratch the surface with any abrasive material (like that handy scrub sponge).
It may look like a lot, but most of it’s common sense. Keep your jewelry out of the water, give it a polish once a week or as needed, and enjoy!
