Silver Jewellery Care & Maintenance

Spaceice jewellery is made from high quality 925 Sterling Silver and with proper care and maintenance it will last a lifetime.

Silver is subject to tarnishing over time, resulting in dull or even black jewellery. Tarnishing occurs when silver is exposed to oxygen and sulphur in the air. It is unavoidable, but, thankfully, it doesn't damage the metal and can be removed easily with cleaning.

How to prevent tarnishing:

Simply wearing your silver jewellery will slow the process of tarnishing. Being careful with how you store and wear the silver will also help reduce the speed of tarnishing.

• Remove silver rings and bracelets when washing your hands. Residue from soap and hand gels can result in a dull surface.
• When silver jewellery is not being worn, wipe the surface lightly with a cotton cloth or tissue to remove moisture and dirt, then place it in a sealed bag or box to avoid contact with air.
• Avoid humid environments.
• Keep sterling silver jewellery dry, don't wear it swimming, and never go near hot springs or seawater.

However, when the metal begins to look dull or starts to turn black, it is time to get the cleaning products out to get the jewellery looking like new.

How to clean silver:

The way to clean silver is to buy a specialist cleaning solution or cloth. There are numerous examples on the market. Just make sure that they have been specifically designed for cleaning silver.

• Silver polishing cloths contain silver care ingredients and should not be washed. If you can restore approximately 80% of the silver to its white condition with a silver polishing cloth, there is no need to use silver polish or silver wash. These products are corrosive and silver jewellery will become more susceptible to yellowing with the use of these products.

• Use a small jewellery brush to clean the crevices of the jewellery, then apply a drop of silver polish to a tissue to remove the black oxide from the surface and use a silver polishing cloth to restore the jewellery to its original shine.

If you don't have specialist cleaners  or supplies at home, then do not fear as there are household options to get your silver shining.

• Apply a little toothpaste to the surface of the silver jewellery, then scrub with a toothbrush dipped in warm water and finally dry with a full-bristled soft flannel cloth will help remove tarnishing.

• Again a bowl of warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid is excellent. Pour a small amount of washing-up liquid into warm water and soak for 10 minutes, then use a soft, clean brush (such as a toothbrush) to gently scrub the silver jewellery. Finally rinse in clean, warm water and pat dry with a clean, soft cloth.

For more stubborn tarnishing, you can use a white vinegar and water mix.

• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a bowl. Soak a clean toothbrush in the solution and gently brush the affected areas of silver. Finally allow it to air dry.