If you use your silver frequently, keep it away from excessive exposure to air and store it in a cloth that doesn't tarnish, such as the flannel bag that comes with your Tiffany & Co. Silver or silver storage box Good storage boxes are lined with tarnish-free fabric and have separate space for each individual piece. Wearing sterling silver jewelry is the best way to keep it from tarnishing, as the oils in the skin polish the piece for you. If you plan to store a piece of sterling silver jewelry instead of wearing it for a while, clean it first so that it's ready when you want to use it again.
To clean them, rub the jewelry with a soft microfiber cloth or silver polishing cloth, using back and forth movements instead of a circular motion. In general, keeping sterling silver clean comes down to maintaining a balance between regular home care and professional cleaning appointments. Once you've stored your sterling silver jewelry, be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Do not wrap sterling silver in plastic wrap, as it contains materials that may adhere to silver over time and that need to be removed by a professional.
However, if the damage has progressed, it is best to take the sterling silver jewelry to a professional jeweler. If you think that wearing your sterling silver jewelry often increases the chances of it tarnishing, you should keep in mind that storing and not wearing it for a long time will also cause it to tarnish and corrode. Sterling silver is a popular metal because of its affordability and malleability, but it also tarnishes quickly due to its composition. After wearing your sterling silver jewelry, store it immediately and don't leave it anywhere to avoid exposure to moisture.
Wear them regularly and clean your silver jewelry with these cloths after putting them on and before storing them. Storing your sterling silver jewelry in a cool place away from sunlight will prevent it from being damaged and stained. Tarnish also occurs when pieces of sterling silver are exposed to chemicals found in deodorants, lotions, perfumes, bleach, and other similar substances. If you need to store a lot of pieces of sterling silver, it will be more practical to get stain-resistant bags instead.
The specialized jewelers at Janvier Jewelers have prepared a list to answer all your questions about the care of silver jewelry. While you definitely love your silver jewelry and want to wear it all the time, you need to know when it's time to take it off. That said, between neglect and the general nature of sterling silver, it's easy for it to lose its shine and tarnish over time, whether due to exposure to oxygen, the oxidative reactions that occur with sulfur, or something as simple as body oils.
