All LiLa Design jewelry is made of Sterling silver (925), a natural characteristic of which is that the surface darkens over time. However, by using, storing, and cleaning them correctly, you can ensure that your silver jewelry retains its beautiful, bright finish for longer.
Why does silver jewelry darken?
The darkening of silver jewelry is caused by a layer of silver sulfide that accumulates on the surface of the jewelry, which is formed when silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide in the air. The pH level of the skin also affects the tarnishing of silver, which is why the same piece of silver jewelry may tarnish at slightly different rates for different people. However, the tarnishing of silver can be slowed down, and tarnished silver can be cleaned!
Silver tarnishes faster if you wear it in the shower, sauna, while doing dishes, or if you expose it to perfumes, chemicals, and lotions, for example. Lotions, perfumes, and hairsprays, for instance, can form a layer on the surface of your jewelry that prevents your jewelry from sparkling. Your silver jewelry will therefore stay beautiful for longer if you avoid the aforementioned.
Cleaning silver jewelry
For an effective and easy natural method, you only need a deep bowl, aluminum foil, coarse sea salt, and warm water.
- Line the bowl with foil and add warm water and sea salt to it.
- Place the silver jewelry at the bottom of the bowl. The proportions are not that precise; a thin layer of salt is enough.
- Let the jewelry soak in the water for about 5-10 minutes, then rinse the jewelry with warm water and dry well.
If the jewelry is heavily tarnished, stronger silver cleaner can be purchased at jewelry stores to make the jewelry very shiny. Please note that these products cannot be used if the jewelry contains natural stones or pearls. Silver polishing cloths also work well for larger surfaces, but they cannot be used to clean small crevices.
So remember to use, store, and maintain your silver jewelry correctly so that they continue to delight you and complement your outfits for as long as possible!
