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Silver is a precious metal and, much like gold, is too fine to be utilized in its pure form. To make silver durable enough for use in jewelry, pure silver, which has a .999 fineness (99.9%), is often alloyed with small quantities of copper (7.5%). The copper is added to strengthen the silver and the resulting product is .925 sterling silver (92.5%).
Ways to take care of Silver 925:
Over time, any sterling silver jewelry findings exposed to air will tarnish. This tarnishing process is normal. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals. It’s the other metals, primarily copper, that make sterling silver to tarnish. The copper reacts to moisture and sulfur in the air, causing the sterling silver tarnish. Silver tarnishes faster in areas with high humidity and air pollution. Chemicals like hairspray, perfume, deodorant, body lotion, bleach, etc., can speed up the tarnishing process.
- The best way to prevent tarnishing is to store clean, dry sterling silver in a dry airtight container, like a Ziploc bag, Tupperware, etc.
- Don’t leave silver jewelry in the bathroom unprotected, and do not wear it the shower, swimming pool or hot tub. Humidity and moisture can make tarnish appear faster!
- Minimize sterling silver’s contact to chemicals found in hairspray, perfume, body lotion, makeup, etc..
- After taking off your silver jewelry, clean it with a dry soft cloth, or polishing cloth, before putting it back into an airtight container.
- If an item does begin to tarnish, cleaning it right away will make it easier to restore the shine than if you let it sit longer.
- Use a silver polishing cloth to remove oxidation from silver.
- Or use a liquid silver cleaner (which smells like rotten eggs). Put the piece of silver in the little tray, swish it around, and the original beautiful silver shine is restored.
- You might read recommendations to use toothpaste to clean sterling silver, but avoid doing that -- toothpaste is abrasive and can leave scratches.
