How to clean silver jewelry?
Posted on August 03, 2020
We are proud to say that our sterling silver jewellery is handcrafted into unique designs by our skilled artisans who are expert silversmiths. Each piece comes with a 925 stamp (learn more about stamps and sterling silver here) and presents the stunning lustre you can expect from quality solid silver. Over time, however, even the best quality silver loses its shine. It begins to discolour and dullen in a chemical process known as ‘tarnishing’.
While it’s an inevitable fact of owning silver jewellery, tarnishing doesn’t mean your favourite silver pieces need to be banished to the drawer. In fact, you can keep your silver jewellery as gorgeous as the day you bought it by following our simple tips on how to clean, store and maintain your jewellery, for a lifetime of wear.
So whether you want to get ahead of the tarnishing game or have some sterling silver jewellery in dire need of TLC, here are Aquila’s top 3 ways to clean your silver jewellery:
1. A Salt Bath for your Silver
An old classic for many who clean all their silverware this way.
1) Combine warm water and a few teaspoons of salt in a bowl.
2) Place your jewellery in the bowl for 5 minutes.
3) Take it out and give it a quick polish with a polishing cloth which should gleam some wonderful results!
2.The Foil That Never Fails
This is a common method used to get rid of tarnish because it requires easily found household items you probably already have lying around. What will you need? A bowl big enough to fit your silver, aluminium foil, hot water, kitchen tongs, either one tablespoon of baking soda or detergent (without bleach) and a clean, dry cloth to place the silver on after you finish.
Be aware that this method shouldn’t be used with oxidised silver but works perfectly well with anything shiny like the Agonda range.
1) Fill your bowl with boiled water.
2) With the shiny side facing up, line the aluminium foil in the bowl (watch your fingers!).
3) The ratio for every 1 cup of water is 1 tablespoon of baking soda or detergent. For us, it was 3 cups of water and 3 tablespoons of baking powder. Expect bubbles to form!
4) Place your silver into the bowl, making sure it has contact with the foil.
5) Step away for 5 minutes, though you can leave it for 10 if the tarnish is thicker. Mid way through, turn the silver over.
6) Use the kitchen tongs to pick up the jewellery and run it under cool water.
7) Put it on the dry cloth and give it a quick shine.
8) Step back and admire your handiwork!
3. Get Zesty Results with Salt, Lemon & Water
Warning- not an approach for oxidised jewellery as the acid in the lemon will strip the oxidation from the metal.
1) Take a bowl and fill it with hot water.
2) Add 3 tablespoons of salt and squeeze a whole lemon in.
3) Place your silver jewellery into the bowl and wait 10 minutes. Some people actually wait overnight depending on the severity of the tarnish.
4) Once the time is up, take out the jewellery and rub it with a white silver cleaning cloth. You’ll be amazed at the difference!!
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