Cleaning silver jewelry
Techniques for cleaning your silver jewelry
You want to preserve the splendour of your silver jewelry, but over time it can become tarnished or oxidised. Do you want your silver jewelry to look as good as the first day you bought it, and are you wondering how to clean silver jewelry? The good news is that there are a variety of methods for restoring their original lustre. In this article, we'll guide you through different cleaning techniques, from gentle to more effective, to get your silver rings, necklaces and earrings shining again.
Precautionary Measures Before Starting
Before diving into the cleaning methods, keep these important precautions in mind:
- Avoid rushing to clean silver jewelry. Take the time to do it carefully to avoid damaging your precious jewelry. To do this, select the most appropriate cleaning method for your jewelry below, taking care to follow the steps one by one.
- Do not use chemical, detergent or corrosive products. We advise you to follow our instructions and our list of products to use below, otherwise your beautiful jewels may be damaged.
- Don't forget jewelry with precious stones or pearls. You need to be careful about any cleaning methods or products that could damage this type of jewelry. So it's best to take extra precautions.
Silver jewelry cleaner
Now let's delve into cleaning methods for your precious silver jewelry. Cleaning your 925 silver jewelry at home is fairly straightforward and can be done with common ingredients you may already have at home. Let's take a look at a few simple and effective ways of restoring their shine and keeping them in perfect condition.
The chamois
You can buy a cleaning cloth known as a "jewelry chamois" from a jeweller. This is still the quickest, gentlest and safest method of cleaning silver jewelry. Without rubbing too hard, focus on the nooks and crannies, corners and raised areas.
Sodium bicarbonate
Make a mixture with warm water (1/4 cup) and bicarbonate of soda (2 tablespoons (30 ml)) diluted in a saucer. Once you have a paste, apply it to your silver jewellery using a soft-bristled toothbrush (or toddler) to clean it without damaging or scratching it. You can also use a damp natural sponge to apply the mixture. Rub gently to remove any dirt or stains. Rinse well with clean water and then wipe gently with a soft cloth or microfibre cloth.
The white of Meudon
Nothing could be simpler than this old recipe, which involves using a wrung-out cloth dipped in a little blanc de Meudon to clean silver jewelry. Just rub and everything shines!
Wood ash
Another centuries-old recipe: first coat your silver jewelry with finely powdered wood ash. Scrub gently with a soft brush, then rinse well before air-drying.
White vinegar
To restore the shine of slightly blackened silver jewelry, soak it in 1/3 vinegar mixed with 2/3 warm water. Soak your silver jewelry in this solution for two or three hours or overnight. Rinse under warm running water, then dry carefully with a soft cloth.
Blond beer
Surprisingly, lager can de-oxidise and polish silver jewelry when left to soak overnight in a bowl of beer. In the morning, rinse with warm water and blot with a soft cloth.
Salt water and aluminium
Once a year, you can soak your real silver jewelry - without stones or pearls - in salt water. Line a bowl or saucepan with aluminium foil (it retains oxidation). Place your jewelry on top and sprinkle with a small amount of salt. Pour boiling water over them and leave them to soak for a few minutes. Blot gently with absorbent paper.
Toothpaste
And yes, toothpaste can also be a good cleaning agent for your jewelry. Apply a small amount of non-bleaching toothpaste to a soft cloth. Rub gently to remove tarnish. Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
Lemon
In addition to its pleasant smell, lemon is very effective for cleaning your jewelry. Just a few drops of lemon juice soaked in a microfibre cloth or soft brush is enough to leave your jewelry looking as good as new. Rinse well under running water and air dry.
Cola
Cola can also be your best friend if you want to clean your jewelry. Simply soak them in a glass for a few minutes. Don't forget to rinse them thoroughly with clean water to remove all the sugar and wipe gently.
What should I do if a piece of jewelry is set with stones or pearls?
Surprisingly, white toothpaste can be used to clean oxidised silver, even if the jewelry is adorned with stones or pearls. You can use a very soft toothbrush or sponge to clean. Rinse under clear water (never hot), dry and then shine gently with a chamois cloth.
We advise you to keep your silver jewelry in its original box or in tissue paper before placing it in a box for better durability.
You can also call on the expertise of a jeweller for a thorough cleaning of your silver jewelry once a year.
What is the quality of your silver jewelry?
The characteristics of real silver
When a piece of jewelry has been made from good quality silver, it bears a hallmark indicating its percentage of purity: 92.5, 900 or 800. This indicates the presence of 92.5%, 90% or 80% pure silver in the alloy of your piece of jewelry. A piece of genuine silver can tarnish - unless it has been rhodium-plated, a process that prevents the metal from blackening - but this is not the case with a piece of jewelry that has been silver-plated. The magnet test is often used by jewellers. If the metal is attracted to the magnet, it is not real silver.
At Nerina Bijoux, silver jewelry is made from 925 silver coated with a thin layer of rhodium to prevent darkening and retain all its original brilliance and sparkle. We select this metal, which is the most expensive in the world, to ensure that your jewelry lasts as long as possible. Our rhodium-plated 925 silver jewelry lasts a minimum of 10 years, retaining all its shine and brilliance under normal use. Discover our entire collection of silver jewelry here.
