Caring for silver jewelry: My favorite tips

One of the most frequently asked questions I get about emme pieces has to do with how to care for them. I love that question because I know that WowMoms always take care of the things they love the most. Whether the pieces were bought for them, or received as a gift, learning how to care for them is essential so that they last and can be worn for many more years. So today, I'm sharing tips for caring for silver jewelry, especially your emme pieces. 

All emme designs are handmade in 925 silver, or Sterling Silver, as it is known in the USA. Sterling silver has the property of being a combination of metals. It is 92.5% Pure Silver and 7.5% Copper. Sterling silver is used for jewelry making because the mix makes it stronger and more resistant. The only disadvantage is that the presence of Copper causes the silver to react with oxygen (oxidize), which causes it to lose its shine. In some cases, dark spots appear.

Learning how to remove these stains and care for silver jewelry is easy. Still, it is important to keep its beauty intact for much longer. Here I share my favorite tips.

How to clean silver jewelry

1.- Washing with time: Use these techniques if you have time or if your silver jewelry has blackened. To do this, you must create a chemical reaction that will eliminate any substance that has been deposited on your piece and will eliminate the oxide that makes it look dark. You will need an aluminum pot, water, and baking soda.

You can cover a container with aluminum foil if you don't have an aluminum pot. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the pieces, add a teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of water, add the pieces, and turn on the stove. Once it is about to boil, turn it off and carefully remove the pieces. Rinse and dry with a cotton cloth.

2.- Quick wash: If you have little time available, or you realized almost when leaving that your earrings were not shining as you wanted, this technique is for you. With a soft brush, it can be an old toothbrush. A small drop of dish soap and a little water is enough.

Wet your piece quickly, brush the seams and creases, and rinse and dry with a cotton cloth. This will be enough to remove dirt and make your silver jewelry shine again.

3.- Express cleaning: You can use this technique daily or every time you wear silver jewelry. It consists of a special fabric, which is already treated, and you can quickly shine it. You need to rub the piece with the cloth, and that's it. This is the best option for daily, so here is a link if you want to order one of these special fabrics for free. You can keep one in your jewelry box and one in your purse and ensure that your silver jewelry is always shiny.

How to store silver jewelry

Once your pieces are clean, you will want to store them in a place that slows down their oxidation. That is why keeping your pieces in their original packaging is essential. If you no longer have the original packaging and closed jewelry box will lengthen the shine of your piece.

Other recommendations for caring for silver pieces

• Avoid applying chemical products to the jewelry, such as perfumes, oils, or other substances that settle on its surface and make it lose its shine.
• If your pieces were exposed to chlorine from the pool or seawater, clean them with fresh water when you get home. Although silver is resistant to these agents, this will lengthen its shine.
• Make sure that you store the packaging of your pieces in a cool place without humidity.