You have invested in beautiful sterling silver jewelry, and naturally you want it to look as radiant five years from now as the day you first put it on. The good news is that caring for sterling silver is far simpler than most people assume. With a handful of easy habits and a little knowledge about what causes tarnish, your favourite necklaces, bracelets, and moissanite pendants will keep their brilliance for a lifetime.
Understanding Why Sterling Silver Tarnishes
Sterling silver is an alloy made from 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent copper, which is where the hallmark 925 sterling silver stamp comes from. The copper content gives the metal its strength and durability, but it also makes it reactive to certain elements in the environment. When silver comes into contact with sulfur compounds in the air, moisture, chlorine, or everyday chemicals such as perfume, hairspray, and body lotion, a thin layer of tarnish can form on the surface.
The important thing to understand is that tarnish is not damage. It is a surface reaction that can be reversed with gentle cleaning. Better still, all Reymey jewelry features a thick layer of rhodium plating, which acts as a protective barrier that dramatically slows the tarnishing process and adds a brilliant white sheen to every piece.
The Golden Rule: Last On, First Off
If you remember only one piece of jewelry care advice, let it be this: your jewelry should be the last thing you put on when getting dressed and the first thing you take off when you get home. This simple habit prevents the vast majority of chemical exposure that leads to tarnish. Get dressed, apply your makeup, spritz your perfume, style your hair, and only then clasp your necklace or slide on your bracelet. At the end of the day, reverse the order. Remove your jewelry before washing your face, showering, or applying your evening skincare routine.
This single practice is so effective that many jewelers say it prevents roughly ninety percent of the chemical exposure that causes premature tarnishing. It costs nothing and takes only a few seconds, yet it is the most powerful thing you can do to extend the life and lustre of your pieces.
What to Avoid While Wearing Silver
Beyond the daily dressing routine, there are certain activities where it is best to remove your sterling silver jewelry entirely. Swimming is one of the biggest culprits, as chlorine in pools and salt in ocean water can both accelerate tarnish and weaken the metal over time. Exercise is another, since sweat contains salts and acids that react with silver. Household cleaning products, especially anything containing bleach or ammonia, are particularly harsh on precious metals. Even something as simple as applying hand lotion can leave a residue that dulls the surface of your jewelry over time.
The rule of thumb is straightforward: if you are about to get wet, work up a sweat, or handle chemicals of any kind, slip your jewelry off first and put it somewhere safe. Your future self will thank you.
Daily Cleaning in Ten Seconds
One of the easiest habits to adopt is giving each piece a quick wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth after you take it off for the day. This removes the natural oils from your skin, along with any dust or light residue that may have accumulated while you wore it. A gentle microfibre cloth or a dedicated silver polishing cloth works perfectly. Use light, straight strokes rather than circular motions, and you will be amazed at how this tiny daily ritual keeps your jewelry gleaming without any special products.
Deep Cleaning Once a Month
About once a month, or whenever you notice your pieces looking a bit dull, a gentle deep clean will restore their shine. Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a single drop of mild dish soap. Let your jewelry soak for five to ten minutes, then use a very soft toothbrush to gently work around any textured areas or stone settings. Rinse each piece thoroughly under clean running water, and then dry it completely with a lint-free cloth before storing it away.
It is worth emphasising that you should never use toothpaste, baking soda pastes, or harsh chemical cleaners on sterling silver. These abrasive substances can scratch the surface and strip away the protective rhodium plating that keeps your jewelry looking its best. Stick with mild soap and water, and your pieces will reward you with lasting brilliance.
Storing Your Jewelry the Right Way
How you store your sterling silver matters just as much as how you clean it. The ideal storage environment is cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight. Bathrooms might seem like a convenient place to keep your jewelry box, but the humidity from showers and baths accelerates tarnishing. Instead, keep your pieces in your bedroom or a closet where the air is drier.
Each piece should be stored separately, either in its own soft pouch or in a compartmentalised jewelry box lined with anti-tarnish fabric. When silver pieces rub against each other, they can scratch, especially softer items like chains. Adding a small silica gel packet to your jewelry box helps absorb excess moisture and further slows the tarnishing process. These packets are inexpensive and widely available, and they make a noticeable difference over time.
Caring for Moissanite Stones
If your collection includes moissanite pendant necklaces or earrings, you will be pleased to know that moissanite is one of the hardest gemstones available, rating 9.25 on the Mohs scale. This makes it extremely resistant to scratching and everyday wear. However, moissanite's exceptional brilliance also means it shows fingerprints and oil buildup more readily than less refractive stones. A quick wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush will bring back that spectacular fire and sparkle instantly.
When to Seek Professional Care
Once a year, it is a good idea to have your most-worn pieces professionally inspected. A jeweler can perform an ultrasonic cleaning that reaches areas you cannot easily clean at home, check that stone settings are still secure, and assess whether the rhodium plating needs refreshing. Many jewelry stores offer this service for free or at a very low cost, and it is well worth the small investment to keep your collection in peak condition. If you ever notice persistent tarnish that home cleaning cannot remove, loose stones, or visible wear on the plating, those are clear signs it is time for a professional touch.
Simple Habits, Lasting Brilliance
Caring for sterling silver jewelry truly comes down to a few consistent habits: remove your pieces before exposure to water and chemicals, give them a quick wipe after each wear, store them properly in a dry environment, and treat them to a gentle deep clean once a month. With these practices in place, your Reymey jewelry will continue to turn heads and spark compliments for years to come. Explore our full collection of necklaces, bracelets, and moissanite pendants to find your next treasured piece, and rest assured that with a little love, it will stay beautiful for a lifetime.