Guidelines In Silver Jewelry Care And Storage

Posted on 20. Jun, 2011 by in Making Jewelry

Care For Silver Jewelry

Silver has been used since ancient times for jewelry and other ornaments, even for flatware, and containers. Up to this day, silver has been used for making jewelry, mixed with other elements to make it really pretty.

But one thing about silver is that it is really soft, too soft to use for jewelry items, see this article for more information on sterling silver. The main problem really is tarnishing because of the presence of copper, which is why caring for your silver jewelry is very important.

How To Care For Silver Jewelry

There are certain harsh chemicals that should be avoided when using silver jewelry such as hair spray, perfume, cosmetics, and chlorine. This will immediately tarnish your silver piece as soon as there is contact to the substance.

Also, if your grandmother or some old folks havetold you to use toothpaste to clean your silver jewelry, think again. Toothpaste has anabrasive substance that will leave a dull scratchy finish on your jewelry. You wouldn’t want that to happen to your silver pieces, wouldyou?

It would help if you wear your silver jewelry as often as possible such that your body oils will prevent tarnishing so sterling silver doesn’t have to be cleaned as often.

For quick cleaning, you can use a mild dish soap and warm water to avoid ruining your silver pieces. Silver is fairly a soft metal and it can easily be scratched when you use abrasive materials to clean it.

One way of cleaning your silver jewelry is with asilver cloth. A material made of 100% cotton flannel that will definitely aide you in maintaining a scratch-free silver jewelry.

Storage

First rule, never store your silver jewelry wet or moist since humidity and open air can hasten corrosion on the silver piece and therefore will result to a yellowish tint on your jewelry which is not pleasant to look at.

If you must keep it for a long time, make sure that you store it in a container that is free from humidity and if you are to store in a Ziplock, then take out all the air inside the bag to prevent air and humidity mixing in the silver jewelry and avert tarnishing.

And if you are to use stackable containers for your silver jewelry storage, one thing to remember is to make sure the jewelry pieces has been dried carefully not leaving any residue. This will help slow the process of oxidization from your silver jewelry.

Taking care of your jewelry and finding appropriate storage can be really easy if you know the basic how-to’s in making your silver pieces stay as beautiful as it was first bought. How you take care of your belongings will reflect on how you take care of yourself and business, so keep your jewelry pieces clean and make your life less stressful.

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How to Care for Your Sterling Silver Jewelry

Posted on 31. Oct, 2009 by in Jewelry Business Tips

A little known fact is that Sterling Silver Jewelry pieces that are not worn for extended periods of time can corrode and tarnish as well. Thus, silver jewelry storage is a critical component for preventing corrosion and tarnish. By following a few simple rules, you can save yourself hours of cleaning and keep your sterling silver jewelry bright and beautiful for years.

Understanding Why Sterling Silver Jewelry Tarnishes

The tarnish on sterling silver jewelry is the result of oxidative reactions with sulfur, such as Hydrogen Sulfide, in the air and environment (the nickel or copper alloy in most sterling silver also undergoes its own oxidative reactions). The corrosion of silver combined with sulfur creates the darkening referred to as tarnish. Therefore, you must insure your jewelry is clean and dry before storage; since any moisture, dirt, oils or other residual chemicals will accelerate the tarnishing.

Containers for Silver Storage

A container that locks out air is preferable, since reducing contact with air will slow corrosion. The most common household items with this function are zip lock bags, or any other air tight bag with non-abrasive surfaces, such as those made of polyethylene or Mylar. Avoid polyvinyl plastic bags however, as they have chemical compounds that promote tarnishing. If youâ??re willing to spend extra, jewelry stores carry specialized bags and boxes that help prevent tarnishing. When storing, itâ??s best to keep jewelry in separate bags, away from other hard items that may scratch your jewelryâ??s surface.

Places to Store Sterling Silver Jewelry

Avoid excessively humid areas, areas with direct sunlight, and other places where jewelry could rub up against other items. Do not store jewelry directly on chemically treated surfaces, such as wooden counter tops, since they contain chemicals that may promote tarnishing of your sterling silver.

Other Tools that Help Prevent Tarnish on Sterling Silver Jewelry

1) Chalk – An old remedy for preventing tarnish, just store chalk in your jewelry box or container and it will naturally absorb chemical residues in the air.

2) Anti-Tarnish Strips â?? Sold in many places, these strips are usually made from non-toxic materials that absorb tarnish causing agents in the air.

3) Anti-Tarnish cloths â?? Similar to the strips, these cloths are either chemically treated or saturated with traces of silver; both absorb sulfur and other corrosive chemicals in the air.

4) Silica Packs â?? Those little packs you find in medicine bottles and shoe boxes among other places. Highly useful in absorbing moisture in the air, toss them in your jewelry containers instead of the trash; youâ??ll be preventing tarnish and recycling as well.

Learn more about Sterling Silver Jewelry by visiting the import and wholesale jewelry knowledge center of Wholesale of Asia at http://wholesaleofasia.com/, where you’ll find a diverse and unique selection of Wholesale Jewelry such as Sterling Silver, Precious Stone, Pearl, Jade, and much more, all at a low cost and imported directly from manufacturers worldwide. By working with manufacturers and retailers to produce fresh and trendy new designs, Wholesale of Asia helps businesses get an edge over competition and increase their bottom lines.

Note: Article may be freely circulated if all content, author info, and links remain unchanged.

Since 2006, Lee Shyu has helped businesses connect with Manufacturers, Importers, Wholesalers, and Retailers worldwide. His business is based in the United States and sources a wide selection of products for small to mid-sized businesses looking to expand their product lines and increase their competitiveness in today’s global marketplace.
To view his wholesale jewelry and gift business, visit Wholesale of Asia at http://wholesaleofasia.com/ where you’ll find a selection of innovative and fashionable Jewelry and Gifts. For question about importing and sourcing from manufacturers, contact Fefa Global Trade at http://fefaglobal.com/.

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Care Tips For Jewelry

Posted on 24. Jul, 2009 by in Making Jewelry

Most of the time if we can afford to we will own at least one piece of expensive jewelry and it is important to take care of your precious piece of jewelry, whether it is a diamond necklace or a pair of earrings. If you own a piece of Swarovski jewelry then easy cleaning tips for Swarovski jewelry are the same as what is outlined below. Even if you don’t own a diamond necklace but have polymer clay jewelry, it is still important to take care of it so that it will last you a lifetime and you can pass it on to your children.

We are fascinated with the beauty of our jewelries, and in fact we even see are selves more beautiful wearing those sparkling and eye-captivating stones in our body. Precious or semi-precious jewelries it can be, we are aware that they should be taken care of as important as we should to preserve their beauty. As I have researched, here are some of the jewelry care tips I gathered:

Do not spoil jewelry on clothing. Do not wear your jewelry before dressing, and remove it first before undressing your clothes. There are some pointed or edgy areas in the jewelry that can destroy both your jewelry and clothes.

Keep a sterling-silver polishing cloth handy for a quick wipe before wearing jewelry. This can help you clean and glitter your jewelry in an instant. This cloth is available in most jewelry shops and discounts stores.

Do not wear you jewelry if you wish to swim in a swimming pool and spa water, or use it around chemicals that we usually use for cleaning, they contain chemical substances that can easily oxidize jewelries. Chemicals that are included in some perfumes, hair and body sprays, and even body lotion can be a cause of discoloring too.

Store jewelry made from silver and other metals are prone to tarnishing in an air-tight or zip-lock plastic bag. This high tech method of storing your jewelry will keep them looking like new, for a long time. Do not store pearl jewelry in sealed bags!

Most jewelry can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild detergent with water if required, rinse with clear water and dry with a soft cloth. Test an inconspicuous area for color fastness before cleaning the whole piece.

If you use a jewelry cleaning liquid, read the instructions carefully before using. Some types of beads and gems, including pearls, turquoise, opal, and other soft stones, should never be put into any cleaning solution.

Remove jewelry before going to bed. Sleeping in your jewelry can add extra stress to chains, joints, etc., and shorten the life of your things. If you do some more research on a guide on wearing jewelry then you will find lots more information to help you wear your jewelry and at the same time protecting it from damage.

If you would prefer you can watch this article in video format:

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