No one wants to see their treasured sterling silver items lose their shine and become tarnished, but this can sometimes feel like an inevitability.
Sterling silver is a metal alloy that comprises 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper and is often used in making jewellery due to its durability, malleability, and relative affordability.
Sterling silver is also quite easy to care for, although it does run a particular risk of becoming tarnished and losing some of its shine, especially if stored incorrectly.
Jewellery expert Blake Asaad of high-quality jewellery provider GOODSTONE, has highlighted just how easy it is to take care of this metal, he said: “You can keep silver jewellery that you use daily sparkling by polishing it regularly with a soft cloth.”
However there are other ways to care for jewellery items that you don’t wear every day, and are instead kept in storage,
For these items, Blake suggests recommending one simple but very effective method that will keep your sterling silver looking as good as new.
He said: “My top tip for stopping your precious sterling silver jewellery from tarnishing is, wherever you’re storing your jewellery, put it inside an airtight bag to keep it protected from air and moisture. Air moisture causes tarnishing to happen quickly.”
Blake says that you can use zip-lock bags or any airtight container to do this, an item many of us have in our kitchens, and keep each piece of silver separate to prevent scratching or tangling.
He further recommended putting anti-tarnish strips in the airtight storage bag, adding: “You can also add silica gel or activated charcoal to absorb moisture, or a packet of desiccant crystals.
“I also suggest wrapping your items of sterling silver in dry, acid-free tissue paper before storing them in airtight containers. The acid in normal paper can cause your silver jewellery to tarnish and lose its lustre.”
Blake finished: “Using this sterling silver anti-tarnishing tip costs very little, and can preserve or maintain your jewellery, or other precious silver items, for a long time – even conserving them as priceless heirlooms for future generations. By using this hack, your silver will go on looking gorgeous for a long time.”
