Welcome to the world of silver jewelry. I am going to share some pearls of wisdom that I have accumulated over the years about how you should care for those precious pretties that you have acquired over time.
Care suggestions for silver jewelry and how to clean it? Should you clean it at all is the question. Sterling silver jewelry in its natural form i.e. not plated or e-coated should honestly be left alone. Do not try to use any cleaning agents or house hold hacks like baking soda mixes or vinegars. Silver ages with time and it does so beautifully. Let it acquire that rustic, old look that comes with time; glinting in the sunshine, lightly caressing you every now and then. Wearing your silver pieces regularly will ensure the shine that you so desire. To be honest a little bit of tarnish actually protects the silver and lends that old and charming vintage finish.
Having said all of the above; there still may be a need to clean your jewelry use a soft, cotton cloth to wipe off any dirt that may have gathered. Dullness on the metal or any spots should disappear after a firm wipe. If the tarnish marks persist and your jewelry needs a more thorough cleaning then I suggest that you take them to a professional cleaner/jeweler. They will ensure that your tarnished pieces are restored to their original glory.
However, when the jewelry in question is plated with gold then the treatment is not the same.ย If the tarnishing is minimal, you might be able to remove it with a soft cloth, be sure to dry the jewelry thoroughly before you rub the cloth over the jewelry. Make sure the rub is gentle and do not use too much pressure or rub too hard, as this can damage the plating. If the tarnishing is severe, then you should take them to a professional jeweler. They may be able to professionally clean and restore the gold plating, or they may recommend re-plating the jewelry.
GOLD PLATED SILVER JEWELRY BY DEVI JAIPUR
Gold plated jewelry that you have bought from Devi Jaipur is made in sterling silver, unless specified otherwise. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals or alloys. Pure silver is too soft to be used in making jewelry. It needs to be hardened to make ornaments; hence come the alloys. Alloys are a combination of metals in various pre-determined standard proportions. There are various alloys that are used for various purposes. While some add a particular shade of colour, others lend hardness or durability to the finished piece. At Devi Jaipur; once the jewelry is made, its dipped in 18K gold after which a layer of e-coating or transparent lacquer coating is applied. This reduces/ slows any tarnishing that occurs over time.
To ensure that your gold plated jewelry remains lustrous and tarnish free:
- Store it properly: When storing your silver jewelry, it's important to keep it in a cool, dry place to prevent tarnishing. Gold plated jewelry should always be stored in air tight pouches to safeguard them from contact with these unwanted agents.ย If you have a lot of silver jewelry, it's a good idea to separate it by type to protect it from tarnishing.
- Keep it dry: Water and moisture can cause silver to tarnish, so it's best to avoid wearing your silver jewelry while swimming, showering or bathing. If your jewelry does get wet, be sure to dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth.ย Do not use any perfume or chemical sprays like hair sprays near it. Hard water and humidity may also speed up the tarnishing process.
- Avoid chemicals: Household chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, and chlorine can damage silver jewelry, so it's important to be careful when using cleaning products. To be safe, remove your silver jewelry before using any cleaning products or chemicals around the house.
Having said that if your jewelry does tarnish please feel free to get in touch with us. We will be happy to help your precious baubles restore there lost shine and glory at a nominal fee. Team Devi will take it up from thereon.
