5 ways to clean your jewellery

What should you do to clean your tanned jewelry and why do they tan from the beginning? Jewelry cleaning can be done at home easily and safely!

At www.emmanuela.gr we emphasize the quality construction and the high aesthetics and all our creations are made with 925 silver and precious metals, nevertheless, because all the jewelry is beautiful, we will give you tips to clean the jewelry and keep them beautiful, whether they are "true" or "faux"!

Tarnishing with silver jewellery

Silver jewellery is not significantly affected by external factors, but if not coated with rhodium or gold, it tends to tarnish over time, leaving stains that can be easily removed at an early stage by rubbing with a soft cloth. At a later stage, when the jewellery has become too tarnished, you will need to use one of the many liquid cleaners for silver pieces that are available anywhere on the market. The tarnish layer is formed by surface oxidation caused by the contact of the silver with the hydrogen sulphide in the atmosphere.

You should be very careful when using a liquid cleaner, as it is possible to cause discoloration of other elements of the jewelry such as pearls, corals, semi-precious stones, etc. Carefully clean only the silver surface with a soft cotton cloth soaked in the Silver Cleaner. Rub better in horizontal and vertical rather than circular movements.

Toothpaste? Not a good idea...

The common advice to polish silver with toothpaste is probably not a good one, as toothpaste can contain corrosive ingredients that can tarnish or dull the silver even more. So we do not recommend this as a method of polishing silver.

The "rules" of silver...

As with all jewellery, you must follow a few rules to keep your silver jewellery as shiny and beautiful as new:

⦁ Never wear your jewellery when you are sweaty, swimming, playing sports or doing hard physical work, as chlorine in the swimming pool, salt in sweat and moisture in general are enemies of silver. In addition, silver can easily be scratched or warped.

⦁ Make sure that you first use any cosmetics you may use (perfume, makeup, hairspray, creams, etc.) and only then put on your jewellery. Silver should not come into contact with the chemicals and acids present in these products.

⦁ It is good to clean the pieces with a soft cotton cloth after each use. It is even better to wash them with lukewarm water and some soap. Dry them well and keep them separate from the rest of your jewellery. In this way you keep them away from the corrosive substances that stick to it.

⦁ Store the pieces in plastic bags, preferably those that seal and insulate their contents so that they do not come into contact with the air.

⦁ Keep them separate from other jewellery or hard objects that could scratch the surface of the silver.

⦁ Store the pieces so that they are not exposed to light.

There are also special strips or fabrics on the market that are anti-corrosive and which you can add to your jewelry for more effective and long-term protection.

You do not need to remove any of your jewellery, at least not before you try to clean it. Maybe it will be like new, maybe not again! At www.emmanuela.gr you will find quality handmade silver jewelry at affordable prices by jewelry designer Emmanuela Alevizopoulou.