| Since ancient times the natural beauty of silver has | | | | treated to shine your silver jewelry without scratching |
| made it a desirable material. Even brighter than rhodium | | | | and contain special chemicals that slow down the |
| and platinum, it has beautiful shine and is the whitest of | | | | tarnishing process. These cloths can be found in |
| all metals. The highly reflective nature of silver explains | | | | jewelry shops and online retailers and may even be |
| the use of it in the making of mirrors. | | | | found in discount stores near their jewelry |
| Although there are many uses of silver, jewelry is one | | | | departments. |
| of the most popular. Jewelry designers lovingly craft | | | | Do periodically clean your silver jewelry with mild, |
| silver into beautiful designs limited only by the | | | | phosphate-free soap such as dish soap. Gently wash |
| imagination. Both affordable and beautiful silver jewelry | | | | your silver jewelry in warm water. Taking the time to |
| can be found at retailers and on the internet. Make | | | | line a glass baking dish with a dishtowel or other soft |
| sure you do your research to make sure you are | | | | cotton cloth before adding your jewelry will help you to |
| getting the best price possible as you will find a broad | | | | keep from accidentally scratching your precious |
| range of pricing. | | | | pieces. Dry thoroughly with a cotton cloth before |
| Pure silver is extremely soft and malleable. It is mixed | | | | storing. If your jewelry is ornately carved or has many |
| with other metals to create jewelry that is not only | | | | facets or angles, be sure to dry any hidden or hard to |
| beautiful but durable enough for everyday wear. The | | | | reach areas with extra care. |
| most common of these mixtures is an alloy known as | | | | Do store your silver in a cool, dry place. Use a jewelry |
| sterling silver. Copper is added to the metal to provide | | | | storage bag or a separate compartment in your |
| durability without affecting the beauty of it. The only | | | | jewelry box to avoid any contact with other jewelry |
| trouble with copper is that it tarnishes. Some | | | | as it can scratch the surface of the silver. If you will be |
| maintenance is required to keep your jewelry looking | | | | storing your silver jewelry for the long term, use a |
| its best but luckily it is a simple and straightforward | | | | sealable plastic zip-lock type bag or another air-tight |
| process. Once you understand a few simple dos and | | | | container. Keeping air away from your silver jewelry |
| don'ts it will be easy for you to properly care for your | | | | will slow the tarnishing process. |
| silver jewelry. | | | | Now for what NOT to do: |
| Following are some suggestions of what to do to in | | | | Don't use toothpaste to clean your jewelry. There is |
| order to keep your sterling.925 jewelry at its finest. | | | | some controversy about this however, experts agree |
| Do wear your jewelry often. Surprisingly wearing your | | | | that toothpaste is too abrasive to be used on silver |
| silver jewelry is one of the easiest ways to keep it | | | | and may scratch the surface diminishing the beauty |
| clean. It sounds strange but the more you wear it the | | | | and value. Using toothpaste to clean silver is common |
| less often you will need to clean it. Our skin produces | | | | advice but it is always better to be safe than sorry. |
| oils naturally that help to prevent our jewelry from | | | | Don't expose your silver jewelry to harsh chemicals. |
| tarnishing. When the silver comes in contact with our | | | | Chemicals such as chlorine, bleach and ammonia are |
| skin the oils transfer to the surface of the silver | | | | obvious substances to avoid. Sneakier shine |
| keeping it shining longer. If worn continually sterling silver | | | | destroyers are chemicals found in perfume, hair spray |
| jewelry develops a lovely look called a patina over | | | | and cosmetics. It is better to cover your jewelry or to |
| time. This glowing quality with some darker areas is | | | | adorn yourself with it after your hair and makeup are |
| preferred by many jewelry wearers. Many consider | | | | applied. |
| the patina developed by silver to add to the character | | | | Don't let your sterling silver jewelry lie directly on wood |
| or personality of the piece. | | | | surfaces as wood usually contains acid that can |
| Do use specially formulated polish if you do not prefer | | | | damage the silver's surface. We are all guilty of setting |
| the look of silver patina and desire a bright shining look | | | | our jewelry on our dressers or jewelry boxes at night |
| to your silver jewelry. These polishes are created | | | | time. Hopefully that is a thing of the past as we now |
| without abrasives that would scratch your pieces. | | | | know what it does to our silver jewelry. |
| Remember silver has a soft quality to it and can | | | | With proper care your sterling silver jewelry will last a |
| scratch easily. There are many polishes that can be | | | | lifetime. Now that you know how to care for your |
| found on the market today. They are easy to afford | | | | jewelry you can shop with confidence. Try some new |
| and easy to use. Simply follow the manufacturer's | | | | looks with silver earrings, necklaces, bracelets and |
| directions to achieve the best results. | | | | more. |
| Do use polishing cloths. These cloths are specially | | | | |