How to clean sterling silver jewelry at home (and keep it from tarnishing)

Why silver tarnishes

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver mixed with other metals, usually copper, for strength. Over time, sulphur in the air, on skin and in some products reacts with the surface and forms a dark layer: tarnish. It is normal, it doesn’t damage the piece, and it comes off.

Everyday care

Wear it often: the gentle friction of wearing actually helps keep silver bright. Put it on after perfume, hairspray and lotion, and take it off before swimming, showering, cleaning or exercise. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.

A gentle clean at home

• Mix a few drops of mild washing-up liquid in warm water.
• Soak the piece for a few minutes.
• Clean gently with a very soft brush, such as a soft toothbrush, paying attention to links and settings.
• Rinse in clean water and dry completely with a soft cloth.

For light tarnish, a silver polishing cloth is the easiest and safest option.

Pieces with stones, pearls or enamel

Pearls, enamel and glued-in stones don’t like soaking or chemicals. Wipe these pieces with a slightly damp cloth instead, and keep polishing cloths away from the stones and the enamel.

What to avoid

Avoid toothpaste and baking-soda pastes on fine pieces (they can scratch), bleach and chlorine (they damage silver), and dips on anything with pearls or stones. Silver-plated and silver-tone pieces should never be polished hard: the coating can wear through.

Storing silver

Air and humidity speed up tarnish. Store each piece on its own in a small pouch or a lined box, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip, and keep it out of the bathroom.

How often to clean silver

For pieces you wear every day, a quick wipe after wearing and a gentle wash every few weeks is plenty. Pieces that sit in a drawer tarnish faster, so give them a polish before you wear them and store them sealed.

Removing heavier tarnish

For dark tarnish on plain silver without stones, a silver polishing cloth used patiently works best. Rub in straight lines rather than circles, turn to a clean part of the cloth often, and finish with a wash and dry. For very old or valuable pieces, a jeweller’s clean is the safest option.

Silver, silver-plated and silver-tone: the difference

Sterling silver (925) is solid silver alloy all the way through and can be polished many times. Silver-plated pieces have a thin layer of silver over another metal, and silver-tone pieces only have a silver colour; neither should be polished hard, because the surface can wear through. Each product page lists what a piece is made of.

Wearing silver every day

Silver is one of the best metals for everyday wear: it is bright, suits all skin tones and only gets better with gentle handling. Take it off for the gym, swimming and cleaning, and put it back on afterwards.

Travelling with silver

Pack each piece in its own small bag with the air pressed out, and keep it in your hand luggage. Hotel bathrooms are humid, so keep jewellery in its bag in the bedroom.

Storing silver so it stays bright

Tarnish is a reaction with sulphur in the air, so the less air your silver meets, the slower it darkens. Store each piece in a small sealed bag or an anti-tarnish pouch, with the air pressed out. A jewellery box with a lined, closed lid works too; adding an anti-tarnish strip or a piece of chalk helps absorb moisture. Avoid storing silver in bathrooms, where humidity speeds up tarnish, and keep it away from rubber bands and wool, which contain sulphur.

Pieces to start with

1CT Moissanite Pendant Necklace ($64.74, $55.03 in the sale): a sterling silver piece that rewards a little care. It has a moissanite stone. Material: 925 sterling silver.

Double Love Rhinestones Heart Necklace ($31.00, $26.35 in the sale): a sterling silver piece that rewards a little care. It has rhinestone accents and a heart motif. Material: 925 sterling silver.

Sterling Silver Butterfly Necklace ($22.00, $18.70 in the sale): a sterling silver piece that rewards a little care. It has a colour-changing finish and a butterfly motif. Material: 925 sterling silver.

Snowflake Gemstone Pearl Stud Earrings ($25.00, $21.25 in the sale): a sterling silver piece that rewards a little care. It has pearls and a snowflake motif. Material: 925 sterling silver.

Forever Heart Zircon Pendant Necklace ($24.00, $20.40 in the sale): a sterling silver piece that rewards a little care. It has zircon stones and a heart motif. Material: 925 sterling silver. Available in Silver and Gold.

Belt Bracelet in 925 Sterling Silver ($21.00, $17.85 in the sale): a sterling silver piece that rewards a little care. Material: 925 sterling silver.

Buying from Liravelle

Every product page lists what a piece is made of, what arrives and the delivery dates before you order, and the confirmation email repeats them. Free US delivery over $50. 30-day returns. Tracked delivery.