| If you regularly wear your silver jewellery, it is inevitable | | | | tablespoon of salt to the water. Leave the jewellery in |
| that over time it will start to collect dirt and grime. | | | | the dish for 5 minutes or slightly longer for more |
| Sterling silver will naturally start to tarnish due to the | | | | tarnished items and then remove the jewellery, rinse |
| fact that when sterling silver is exposed to air, it will | | | | and allow to dry. |
| start to oxidise, this gives the material a tarnished look, | | | | Alternatively, you can use a toothpaste that contains |
| also referred to as a patina. | | | | baking soda to clean your silver jewellery. Moisten the |
| However, keeping you jewellery looking at it`s best is | | | | jewellery, add a dab of toothpaste and then use a soft |
| not difficult, so we have decided to give you some tips | | | | cloth to gently rub the jewellery. The jewellery can |
| on how to keep your jewellery looking good. | | | | then be rinsed in warm water and then a soft cloth |
| Firstly, we suggest that when you are not wearing | | | | can be used to dry the silver. Avoid using tartar control |
| your jewellery, to keep it in the box that it came in. | | | | or whitening toothpastes as these may contain harmful |
| Silver is a soft metal and it can be easily scratched if it | | | | chemicals. However, we must stress that this method |
| rubs against other metallic objects. Removing the | | | | is for silver jewellery which does not contain |
| scratches will mean having to take the jewellery to a | | | | gemstones. The gemstones in the jewellery may be |
| jewellery store and having the scratches polished out. | | | | porous in nature, which may absorb the chemicals, |
| This is an unnecessary expense and is easily | | | | which could cause them to break down! An alternative |
| avoidable. | | | | method for jewellery which contains gemstones would |
| We suggest that you keep your silver away from | | | | be to use a soft cloth and warm water containing |
| chemicals, perfume, hairspray and deodorant when | | | | washing liquid to gently clean the jewellery. A soft |
| you are wearing your jewellery. | | | | bristled toothbrush can then be used to remove any |
| It is advisable to clean your jewellery by using a soft | | | | grime that may have collected on the underside of the |
| cloth, there are silver cleaning cloths that can be | | | | gem. Buy gently removing this dirt, you will be allowing |
| purchased which will not scratch the surface of the | | | | light to shine through the gemstone, which will give it |
| jewellery. There are also specialist silver cleaning | | | | back it`s sparkle. However, it is advisable to avoid using |
| chemicals that can be applied in conjunction with the | | | | sharp implements to try to remove the grime as this |
| silver cleaning cloth, which will help to bring back the | | | | may scratch the metal setting of the jewellery. |
| shine to your jewellery. | | | | If this home-made method of removing the patina fails, |
| For more delicate jewellery, such as fine necklaces, it | | | | then there is the option of visiting a jeweller who will be |
| is possible to clean them without rubbing them and | | | | able to polish the jewellery for you and remove the |
| better still you can use household products to carry out | | | | tarnish. If you have any doubts about whether you |
| the cleaning. Take a glass baking dish, which has been | | | | should be cleaning the jewellery yourself or if the item |
| lined with aluminium foil, place the jewellery in the dish, | | | | is an expensive antique, then it is better to seek the |
| pour in enough hot water to cover the jewellery and | | | | services of a professional. |
| then add 2 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 | | | | |