Cleaning Sterling Silver Charms
Posted on | July 25, 2011 | No Comments
One of the most popular types of jewelry today is sterling silver jewelry. It has become extremely popular because it is not only beautiful, but is it is also very durable and very economical as well. If you own some sterling silver charms or other types of sterling jewelry, keeping them clean and bright should be a priority so that it is always ready for you to wear at a moment’s notice.
Sterling silver jewelry should always be taken off and wiped gently with a soft cotton cloth before it is stored. This will remove lotion, oil, and dirt that has accumulated. It should then be safely stored in a jewelry box inside a soft cloth bag in order to minimize scratching and tarnish buildup.
Sometimes a bit of extra cleaning will be needed. The best way to do this is to gently clean them in warm water with a drop or two of mild detergent and a small soft brush. Sterling silver rings for women, sterling earrings, and sterling rings should be dried thoroughly before they are put into their bag for storage. A silver polishing cloth will help remove small amounts of tarnish it may have accumulated.
If extra tarnish removal is desired, this can be done easily. Place some crumpled aluminum foil into a heat-proof glass dish. Place sterling silver jewelry onto the foil, and sprinkle liberally with baking soda. Pour boiling water over all and watch as the tarnish on the jewelry magically disappears. The jewelry should then be rinsed, dried, and stored as usual. This technique should not be done with sterling jewelry that has pearls, emeralds, or other elements that will not withstand the heat of boiling water.
Your sterling silver charms, necklaces and other sterling jewelry will remain bright and shiny if it is stored and cleaned properly. It won’t take more than a few minutes here and there, and it will definitely be worth the effort to keep your costume, fashion, or handmade jewelry ready to wear whenever you need it.