Caring For Your New Sterling Silver Jewellery
At Shuul Colours we pride ourselves on the uniqueness and quality of all our Sterling Silver jewellery range.
Working with only reputable suppliers for all our components our aim is too provide you with only the highest quality products (in your favorite colours of course).
Before any of our pieces leave our workshop here in Galway, Ireland, they are fully inspected to ensure that you’ll receive your perfect piece in perfect condition.
Even using only the finest 925 Sterling Silver in the industry, silver can lose its shiny luster if not properly cared for.
By following some very simple & quick care techniques you’ll find that your new jewellery will keep looking as beautiful as the day you received it for a long time to come.
Proper sterling silver jewelry care includes being aware of how you wear it, store it, and clean it. So lets take a quick look at what exactly is 925 sterling silver and how to care for it.
What is Sterling Silver?
Pure Silver alone is a very soft, very malleable material which could be easily damaged. So for use in the jewellery industry, Silver is combined with other stronger materials (alloys) to produce a more durable and longer lasting product.
The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper or zinc.
With centuries of experimentation by silversmiths, copper has been proven to be the best companion metal as it improves the silver's hardness and durability without taking away of its beautiful shine or colour.
With only a small amount of copper added to the silver, it has very little effect on the silvers value.
What can cause Tarnishing of Sterling Silver?
Tarnishing (which is also referred too as oxidation) is a result of oxygen or sulfur coming into contact with sterling silver. Tarnished silver can have a duller and even sometimes a dark appearance.
How To Care For Your Sterling Sterling
When it comes to 925 Sterling Silver (this can actually apply to most jewellery materials), how you store your piece is as important as how you wear your piece of jewellery.
With oxygen and moisture been ever present in the air, this can over time dull the shine of sterling silver. So when storing away your piece for a later wear or occasion, here are a few simple storage tips:
- Store in an area with low humidity (always try to avoid bathroom storage).
- Store each piece in its original box OR if not possible, then simply use a small airtight (Ziploc) bag.
- Place a packet of silica or piece of chalk in the storage bag to help reduce any moisture present.
Wearing Your Jewellery Can Actually Help!
Did you know that the natural oils present in your skin can (and do) actually help protect and clean your silver jewellery.
However, there are many situations where it is best to remove your jewellery:
- When Showering or Bathing
- When Working Out
- When Swimming
- When Cleaning (some of today's cleaning products contain harsh chemicals which can damage your jewellery
- When putting on lotions, makeup or applying hair products
Cleaning Your Sterling Silver Jewellery
Even the very best cared for jewellery pieces will sometimes need a little cleaning. And this is best achieved by giving it a little polish. Here's a few tips on polishing your sterling silver:
- ONLY USE a special non-abrasive jewellery cloth. This will ensure that you don't scratch your piece.
- Don't be afraid to move to a new section of the cloth regularly to achieve the best result when polishing.
Caring For Your Jewellery Is Key!
With ongoing care, your new Shuul Colours sterling silver jewellery pieces can be ensured a long lasting life.
