Cleaning and Care
All sterling silver will tarnish (oxidize) in time when exposed to air. If you do not want your jewelry to tarnish store it in an air tight container. You will find some of my pieces have been oxidized to add to the charm of the piece. I find it to be part of the beauty of sterling silver.
It is important not to expose your jewelry to chemicals such as chlorine, those found in common household cleaners, perfumes, and hairspray. Some chemicals may react with the silver and diminish its beauty over time. You can use either a clean cotton cloth or a chemically treated polishing cloth (this is much more effective) to remove tarnish from your silver.
NEVER use cleaners of any kind on your semi-precious stones (including the treated side of a polishing cloth). It is best to simply polish them with a clean cotton cloth if necessary. Repeated long term sun exposure will fade the color of many stones. Exposure to chemicals (as those stated above) can ruin your stones as well.
Cleaning Sterling Silver with Baking Soda
This is a great method of removing tarnish from sterling silver. Please note that this method is best for chains or pieces that incorporate plastic, glass, or crystal beads. This method will ruin many stones!
You will need either an aluminum pie pan or you can line a pan with aluminum foil. Place the silver at the bottom of the pan and sprinkle baking soda over it until it is completely covered. Poor enough boiling water into the pan to cover the silver, and gently move it around with a wooden or plastic utensil for a minute or two. Do not put your face directly above the pan to avoid directly inhaling the sulfuric gases created during the reaction. Thoroughly rinse all residue off of the silver and pat dry. This process may need to be repeated 2-3 times depending upon the amount of tarnish build up. You can find several demonstrations of this process online.
With proper care of your jewelry you will enjoy its beauty for years to come!
