“If taken care of properly, Sterling Silver can last a lifetime”
So you’ve just bought your first JewelRe piece, and you’ve Fallen. In. Love. But really, who can blame you? Afterall, it’s more than just jewellery; it’s peace of mind and it’s your story! Now, get ready to discover the secrets to keeping your JewelRe (and all your treasured jewellery for that matter) sparkling clean and dazzling for a lifetime. Welcome to our Ultimate Sterling Silver and Conflict-Free Stone Care Guide! At JewelRe.co, we know your jewellery isn’t just an accessory—it’s a reflection of your fondest memories. We’re here to share essential tips to ensure your beloved sterling silver pieces remain as stunning as the day you got them.
What is Sterling Silver Jewellery?
Before we dive into care tips, let’s talk about what makes sterling silver so special. Sterling silver is one of the most durable metals available, and if taken care of, can last a lifetime. It is also hypoallergenic and great for those with sensitive skin. Sterling silver, marked with “925”, consists of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy.
Fun fact: Silver is graded using a numerical system, indicating its purity. Pure silver contains 99.9% elemental silver, while sterling silver incorporates additional metals to enhance its strength and durability.
Given its innate softness, pure silver is highly malleable. The more malleable it is, the more likely it is to tarnish. Therefore, pure silver isn’t strong enough to make jewellery out of – if your jewellery were indeed to be crafted with a ‘pure’ silver like 950 silver, it would be prone to bend and tarnish – and this is certainly not what you want! Trust us, 925 is the sweet spot!
How to Care for Sterling Silver?
Wear your jewellery often
Believe it or not, you can avoid tarnishing your sterling silver by wearing your jewellery often. The oils in your skin will serve as a cleansing agent for the silver and keep it looking shiny. In between wears, wipe down your jewellery with a soft polishing (or lint-free) cloth and make sure it’s completely dry before storing.
Be mindful of what you expose it to
To keep your silver jewellery looking its best, you should keep your jewellery away from corrosive chemicals or those that lead to tarnishing e.g. Some household chemicals and cosmetics. In addition to this, some high impact activities like contact sports may increase the risk of damage to prongs or settings (Thanks captain obvious!) But hey, wait, if you must flaunt your prized possession next time you’re at the gym, don’t be afraid to take advantage of our 5 year added warranty with your next purchase – This will cover you in case of a mishap, and we’ll even replace your jewellery if something were to happen to it. T&cs apply!
Or…You can just get a new one! It’s only a fraction of the cost of the original, and if your taste changes, you can take the opportunity to update your jewellery with design tweaks!
Storage is key
Exposure to air tarnishes sterling silver. It’s important when storing your jewellery, to gently wipe away any dirt that has accumulated from the day. We recommend storing your jewellery away in the provided JewelRe.Co cloth pouch separate from other jewellery to prevent scratching. Humidity and sunlight are damaging, so make sure your storage area is away from direct sunlight and low in humidity.
Get that professional care too
As with any piece of fine jewellery, we recommend that your JewelRe.Co piece should receive professional care every 12-18 months. Consider professional cleaning and maintenance services from a reputable jeweller for deep cleaning, polishing and stone tightening. You should also regularly inspect clasps, prongs and other high-use areas of your jewellery for any signs of damage or wear, and have them repaired promptly to prevent loss or further damage.
Or…You can just get a new one! Save up the cost of a couple professional cleans, and just buy a new JewelRe piece when you’re ready! Surely by now, you get the idea. Our use of affordable alternate materials makes travel jewellery accessible for everyone!
How to Clean Silver Jewellery
Okay, but if there’s only one thing you can do to achieve the best cleaning results and increase the longevity of your jewellery—without spending much time, breaking the bank, or visiting a local jeweller—it’s the JewelRe Cleaning Kit. Simply follow the instructions below and you’ll be on your way in as little as 30 seconds!
- Remove the cleaning pen cap, and twist to release flow of the cleaning agent
- Gently rub your JewelRe piece all over with the tip of the pen
- Rinse the silver thoroughly in warm water.
- Blot dry and shine your silver with our polishing cloth. This will remove the tarnish and restore shine
Conclusion
So what are you waiting for? Get cleaning…or don’t! Because at JewelRe.co you could always just buy the perfect Travel Ring, or any Travel Jewellery for that matter, hand-crafted and 100% bespoke for about the same price as a handful of professional jewellery cleans. Free delivery worldwide, and Psst, we hear that using code CleanBlog at checkout might unveil a secret discount at check-out!
