What actually is sterling silver?
Sterling silver is a very popular metal alloy that's commonly used in jewellery, cutlery and many decorative items. It is made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, which is usually copper. This combination enhances the durability and strength of the silver, which makes it suitable for everyday use.
Pure silver is actually quite a soft metal and so it's not always appropriate to use it for many items. While its softness makes it ideal for intricate designs and embellishments in jewellery and decorative items, it is also prone to scratching, bending, and other forms of damage with regular use. Therefore sterling silver is a popular choice due to its durability.
Items made from sterling silver are often stamped with a hallmark, indicating their purity. The hallmark typically reads "925". This shows that the items contains 92.5% silver. Items do not need to be hallmarked if they only contain a small amount in weight of sterling silver.
What is tarnish and how does it happen?
Tarnish forms as a natural reaction of silver when it is exposed to various elements in the air around us, mainly oxygen and sulphur. Sulphur is the main culprit. Two of the compounds that form are silver sulfide and copper sulfide. This happens because the silver and copper contained in sterling silver reacts with sulfur containing gases in the air.
Tarnish comes in a variety of colours, but probably the one you are most familiar with is black tarnish.
Here's a sterling silver box chain that was repeatedly worn in a chlorinated swimming pool. Look how tarnished and black it has gone, ugh!!!
I cleaned it up but this is a great example of how it's a good idea not to wear your silver jewellery in the pool!!
How to store sterling silver
It is important to store sterling silver carefully. Proper care and storage is fundamental in preventing tarnish, damage and scratches. Store sterling silver items in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity.
Individual pouches or soft cloth-lined compartments within a jewellery box are ideal for preventing scratches and minimising tarnish. Try not to leave your jewellery out in the open when you're not wearing it as that will speed up the tarnish process.
Avoid exposure to chemicals
Chemicals such as perfumes, lotions and cleaning products can accelerate tarnishing. Always apply your perfume and make up first before putting on your sterling silver jewellery. Don't spray perfume directly onto it!
You should remove your sterling silver jewellery before getting into a chlorinated swimming pool or the sea. These two situations can really accelerate tarnishing.
Sometimes just the general atmosphere around us can cause sterling silver tarnish issues which is why it is a good idea to store items carefully.
How to clean sterling silver
It's a good idea to regularly clean sterling silver to keep it sparkling and pristine. Our top tip is to mix some washing up liquid with bicarbonate of soda into a thick paste. Then using a soft toothbrush, apply the paste to your jewellery and gently scrub it. This will remove dirt, grime, oils and light tarnish. Then rinse with fresh water and leave to dry. You can buff it up with a clean cloth after. Please note, be careful if pearls are involved, these should not be scrubbed.
For more intricate pieces or stubborn tarnish, consider using a silver polishing cloth or a specialised silver cleaner and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
While polishing can restore the lustre of tarnished silver, you should proceed with caution. Over-polishing can remove the protective layer and lead to faster tarnishing in the long run. Be gentle and buff in small circular motions, focusing on tarnished areas. Avoid too much force, especially on delicate or intricately designed pieces.