6 Steps To Keep Silver Jewelry Shiny
In today's modern world silver jewelry is enjoying by a larger
percentage of the population. Thanks to the fashion world who
many years ago chose to recognize it as an accepted and fashionable
style of jewelry, its popularity continues to grow. Not only does
silver look rich and warm, it is very inexpensive compared to
gold.
Since ancient time's silver has been used in jewelry
making. However it does not survive as well as gold so fewer silver
jewelry pieces are exposed during archeological digs.
Silver is the most common of the precious metals. Pure silver,
is seldom used for jewelry because it is much too soft. Sterling
silver is 92.5% silver and .75% copper or some other alloy. This
combination gives it strength so it can be used for jewelry.
Silver weighs about half as much as gold, and it is much more
flexible than gold, although it is not nearly as malleable. Silver
has always been less expensive than gold. A comparable piece of
gold jewelry could cost anywhere from five to ten times more than
an identical piece of sterling silver jewelry.
If you want your silver jewelry to last and provide years of
enjoyment follow these tips
1. Stop tarnish
To stop your silver jewelry from tarnishing wrap it in tissue
paper and store it in sealable plastic bags with an anti tarnish
strip inside the bag.
2. Polish cloth
Use a polish cloth to buff silver jewelry. You can use it alone
to remove light tarnish and restore the shine to your silver
jewelry or you can use it in combination with a silver jewelry
cleaner.
3. Silver jewelry cleaners
Most are a liquid form that lifts the tarnish by having you
quickly dip the jewelry into the solution. Some are more potent
than others so be sure to read the directions carefully. Never
dip pieces that have gem stones or any type of stone because
silver cleaner can very quickly damage the stones.
4. Minimize exposure
Try to avoid exposing your silver jewelry to hair spray, perfume,
or household cleaners. Do not wear your silver jewelry in the
pool or hot tube because the chemicals can damage the silver.
Do not wear your silver in the ocean either. The salt causes
silver to corrode.
5. Turn Black
Some people simply cannot wear silver. Although the percentage
is small in some people their own body chemistry reacts with
the silver causing the skin to turn black. This black marking
on the skin can be very difficult to remove. If you can tolerate
the black marking you can still wear silver jewelry but many
don't bother.
6. Badly Tarnished
If your silver is badly tarnished it may take a bit of work
to clean it. There are some very strong chemical cleaners you
could use but I don't recommend unless absolutely necessary.
There are also some great home tricks that work well. One of
my all time favorites is the aluminum trick. Place a piece of
aluminum shiny side up in the bottom of a glass baking dish.
Place the tarnished silver jewelry on the aluminum foil then
add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Slowly pour boiling water
over top until the jewelry is covered. Let sit and it will gradually
lift the tarnish. Non toxic and a very gently cleanser.
Everyone, man woman and child, should own at least
a few pieces of silver jewelry. Not only is it beautiful, it is
versatile, and affordable. You can wear it with most any outfit,
dress it up or down and it makes a wonderful finishing touch.
Don't miss out on what silver jewelry has to offer.
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