Cleaning Jewellery At Home: Silver

By Harrison Brown
19 May 2024

Model shot of silver necklaces and rings

Silver jewellery is precious and deserves to never lose its shine, no matter the year, occasion, or wearer. Over time, silver pieces can begin to lose their lustre and experience some tarnishing. At Chisholm Hunter, we want to ensure your silver gleams from the store and into generations beyond.

Our helpful how-to guide has the industry's top tips and tricks for taking care of your silver jewellery and begin cleaning it at home.

Sterling Silver Vs. Silver Plated

While all of your silver pieces may appear to be real silver, the truth is that most of them may be silver plated.

Silver plated jewellery is created when a thin coating of pure silver is placed on top of other metals for that signature shine. Often, the metal underneath is less precious, such as brass or copper, which are resistant to rusting yet lack that gorgeous glimmer.

You will find that silver plated jewellery requires much more attention and delicacy than Sterling Silver. This is because the coating can come off over time and tarnish.

Sterling silver is an excellent, high-quality material. Malleable, durable, and, above all else, stunning. All of our sterling silver jewellery at Chisholm Hunter is made from 925 Sterling Silver so you can relax knowing your gorgeous pieces will last for years to come.

Caring for sterling silver pieces is simple, as they are much harder wearing than silver-plated.

Below we discuss how to take care of both so they shine for generations to come!

Jewellery Cleaning Products

Cleaning jewellery can be a simple task and our incredible jewellery cleaning products make it that much easier.

Our Silver Cleaner is the perfect product for giving some life back into your jewellery. Simply use a soft bristle brush, gently rub the cleaner onto your jewellery and wipe off for a no-mess, no fuss cleaning experience!

For everyday care, the Connoisseurs Jewellery Wipes are incredible. Keep it in your purse and give your silver ring or necklace a good clean on the go. With anti-tarnish properties, your jewellery will glimmer for longer.

Ready to get into all those little nooks and crannies? The Connoisseurs Dazzle Drops, with a soft silver cleansing brush included, allow you to get every inch of your favourite pieces for an all over shine.

DIY Cleaning Products at Home

While the above products are great to give your silver jewellery the royal treatment, there are still plenty of ways you can clean your jewellery without fancy products.
Remember, silver, whether silver-plated or 925 sterling silver, is a soft metal. Meaning you want to be careful and treat each piece with care.

What You'll Need

Lukewarm water
Baking soda
A soft bristled brush
A soft lint-free cloth

Baking soda, a mild alkali, has remarkable cleaning properties. When mixed with water, it becomes a gentle scouring powder that can effectively diminish rust and dark spots. Since baking soda is commonly found in households and used in food, it’s non-toxic and safe to use. Plus, it brings out the sparkle in various surfaces.

The Method

1. Create Your Paste

Simply add a few tablespoons of water to 2 tablespoons of baking soda until a paste begins to form. Your paste should be thick enough to spread across your jewellery without running off.

2. Spread The Paste

Spread the paste onto your jewellery and with a soft bristle brush begin rubbing the dirt away. This can be done section by section until each part of the jewellery is clean.
Avoid any gemstones such as diamond, pearls, or even sapphires. These are soft gemstones and may damage easily.

3. Rinse with Clean Water

Use fresh lukewarm water to rinse your jewellery of any excess baking soda paste that may remain.

4. Dry Your Jewellery

Using a lint-free cloth, gently wipe your jewellery clean and watch it sparkle!

Alternative Cleaning Methods

Ran out of bicarbonate soda? Not to worry, there are a few more tricks you can try!

1. Toothpaste: Opt for non-gel and non-abrasive toothpaste. These types are gentle on your precious silver items. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto a soft cloth or paper handkerchief. Gently rub the toothpaste onto your jewellery or silverware using circular motions. Watch the tarnish disappear as you bring back the shine.

2. Beer: Grab your favourite brew and pour it into a cup. Let your silver items soak in the beer for approximately 10 minutes. After the soak, remove the silver and gently rub it with a clean cloth.

3. Lemon Juice and Olive Oil: Combine a tablespoon of olive oil with a few tablespoons of lemon juice in a small bowl. The acidity of the lemon juice and the soft nourishing qualities of olive oil help bring back its shine with gentle rubbing using a soft cloth.

multiple chisholm hunter silver rings and necklace

Cleaning Silver Plated Jewellery

As we mentioned earlier, silver plated jewellery requires a little more attention and grace. The best way to ensure your cherished jewellery never loses its lustre is to give it a gentle wipe with a soft jewellery polish cloth at the end of the day.

Storing Your Silver Jewellery

Storing your silver jewellery is as simple as placing it into your beloved jewellery box at the end of each night. Once cleaned, store it in a case or box to prevent natural oxidation from the air or any other moisture or liquids.

Tarnishing is part of the natural life cycle of metals and so there is no way to prevent it completely. However, there are a few tips to prolong the lifespan of your silver jewellery such as:

Avoid moisture and liquids such as creams, perfumes, and hand sanitiser.
Remove your jewellery before showering, bathing, swimming, washing your hands, or washing the dishes.
After removing your jewellery, store it in a soft cloth. Keep it separate from other pieces of jewellery and away from humid air whenever possible.

Professional Cleaning

Around once a year, you will want to give your precious jewellery the 5 star treatment by bringing it into a licensed jewellers to be professionally cleaned. With over 27 stores across the UK, you can easily bring your jewellery into one of our boutiques, where our expert jewellers will clean your jewellery to absolute perfection. Ensuring it looks good as new!

Whether you enjoy theaffordability of silver plated jewellery, or the grandeur of 925 sterling silver, your piece deserve to shimmer and shine for years to come. At Chisholm Hunter, we are dedicated to ensuring your beloved pieces remain sparkling like new and with our handy DIY jewellery cleaning tips, you can do it yourself with easy household products!

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