Care instructions for silver jewelry

Silver feels best when used.

When you are not wearing your jewelry, it should be stored in an airtight plastic bag, preferably together with an impregnated cloth.

Since silver is a soft metal, scratches will form with use. These scratches are most visible when the piece is new and then smooth out over time. Some silver pieces have a matte brushed surface from the start and are therefore more resistant to scratches than a high-gloss surface.

Silver oxidizes/darkens due to sulfur that is naturally found in the air, in our skin and in our clothes. Some people excrete more sulfur than others, so the jewelry darkens at different speeds on different people. Humidity is also a factor that affects silver, so you should never take off your silver jewelry in humid environments such as bathrooms. Remember to always store your jewelry in a separate box or airtight bag.

Should your jewelry become discolored and have a black surface, there are many different ways to make it look nice again:

Dishwashing detergent

You can use dish soap for a quick clean. Dish soap is perfect for a piece of jewelry that is oxidized or has stones. Rub your piece of jewelry with dish soap, it's easier if you use an old toothbrush, rinse under running water. Then polish with a fine cotton cloth or a polishing cloth.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is often used to polish jewelry. It works if the jewelry has become dull, but toothpaste can also contain abrasives and can therefore damage the smooth and shiny surfaces of the jewelry. Choose a toothpaste with a low abrasive content and test it on a small area first if you are unsure. Here too, it is advisable to use an old toothbrush.

Ketchup

The acidic substances in ketchup react with the dull surface, which disappears. Pour a little ketchup on a clean, soft cloth and polish the silver with it, especially on dull areas. Then rinse the silver under water and polish with the polishing cloth.

Silver every day – for everyday use:

Silver can withstand use, it just gets finer and finer. Wear genuine silver jewelry for everyday use. Genuine silver should be used every day. It will last for many generations! Don't be afraid of scratches, they will even out and form a beautiful patinated surface, which is actually finer than the unused silver surface.

Storage:

How silver is stored is of great importance. Some paints and glues that contain adhesives can release hydrogen sulfide, and fabrics that are dyed with sulfur-containing dyes can also release sulfur, long after the paint or glue has dried. One way to store silver that is guaranteed to avoid discoloration is to wrap it in impregnated polishing cloths, which are available from various retailers. This should then be stored in an airtight plastic bag. These impregnated cloths are treated with a substance that “sucks up” the hydrogen sulfide in the air and thus protects the silver from attack.