This reaction dulls or discolors the metal, but fortunately, the corrosion doesn't harm the underlying sterling and can be cleaned by polishing. Humidity, salty air, chlorine, perspiration, and household bleach and chemicals can tarnish your sterling silver.
Pure silver is not susceptible to tarnish in a pure oxygen environment. However, the copper that is contained in 925 sterling silver may react to the ozone and hydrogen sulfide in the air and cause sterling silver to tarnish. Perfumes, hair sprays, and profuse sweating can also cause a quicker formation of tarnish.
Sterling silver reacts with sulfates in the air and in many common materials that may be near your jewelry items. Air born sulfates exist everywhere but are particularly concentrated in industrial areas and coastal regions. Tap water and naturally occurring water both contain varying sulfate levels.
While 925 silver can touch water, we promise fast contact with hot water once or twice won't significantly harm the sparkle of your items; however, too much or prolonged exposure (like in a steamy shower) can eventually cause your silver pieces to appear dull and lifeless over time.
Don't use abrasive products to clean your silver jewelry. Cleaning products containing strong chemicals such as bleach can damage and discolor silver jewelry.
Silver turns black when kept in the air because it reacts with sulphur compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S) present in air.
You can easily clean silver with aluminum foil, baking soda and hot water. This method uses electrolytic action instead of chemical-polish abrasion and removes the tarnish from oxidized silver without removing any of the underlying metal. This is great for heavily tarnished silver.
Sterling silver normally lasts 20 to 30 years if the owner cares well for it. However, your sterling silver can last forever if you care for it properly. Made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, sterling silver requires some special care. If you own any sterling silver jewelry, you should know how to care for it well.
Our fashion jewellery ranges are made of alloy and then plated for colour. We advise you not to wear your fashion jewellery in water, when using cleaning products, lotions or perfumes. These chemicals can cause tarnishing. We also offer polishing cloths in store and online.
Many pieces can be washed with soap and water or placed in a jewellery box with a soft cloth for protection. Sterling silver jewelry can absolutely be worn every day!
Clean Sterling Silver With Rubbing Alcohol
This is also a great way to disinfect sterling silver body jewelry. The chemicals in rubbing alcohol can be damaging to certain metals and gemstones like emeralds and opals. Be cautious if your silver has accents or adornments that are made up of precious metals.
Chlorine chemicals can tarnish and permanently damage your favorite sterling silver pieces. That doesn't give alcohol-based hand sanitizer a free pass. Alcohol is a harsh chemical and can cause damage over time.
It is a common myth that toothpaste is a good way to clean your jewellery. This is actually false. Toothpaste can damage your diamonds, gemstones, gold and silver. Toothpaste is abrasive and has a hardness of around 3/4 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
White vinegar and baking soda: This gentle cleaning method is great for removing heavy tarnish. Soak your sterling silver in ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 tbsp of baking soda (combine these in the sink and prepare yourself for the fizzing and foam) for two to three hours. Rinse jewelry and pat dry.
Among the allegations directed at Lovisa are that staff were ordered to skip breaks, complete unpaid overtime and working during holiday periods without overtime rates.
All earring posts in the Sterling Silver collection are certified 925 Sterling Silver and are suitable for piercings.
We advise you not to wear your fashion jewellery in water, when using cleaning products, lotions or perfumes. These chemicals can cause tarnishing. We also offer polishing cloths in store and online.
Markings
There are markings such as “S925”, “. 925”, and “925”. This gives assurance that the silver is indeed a 925 sterling silver. However, there are some sterling silver that don't have these marks so don't directly assume that the silver is fake if it doesn't have the mentioned markings.
Sterling silver tarnishes, especially when exposed to salt air and products containing sulfur, such as rubber bands and some papers.
If you keep the jewelry open in the air with very high levels of sulfate-releasing gases, your silver jewelry can tarnish within a couple of hours. But if you store it in a dry place with no moisture, sunlight, or air, the jewelry will not tarnish, even for years.
Clean Silver with Vinegar
This cleaning agent is a great option for many things, including your tarnished silver. Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of lukewarm water. Let the silver soak for two to three hours. Rinse with cold water and let airdry.
This is a classic, easy DIY silver cleaning recipe. Use non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount of it on a soft cloth or paper handkerchief. Rub onto the jewellery or silverware with circular motions to polish it and clean off the tarnish.
To use Coke as a simple cleaning substitute for your sterling or plated silver, start by putting your silver in a bowl or container and pouring the Coke over it. Once your silver is fully submerged, allow it to soak for 1 hour to loosen any grime and residue.