How to care for your sterling silver jewelry

Your sterling silver jewelry pieces should be stored in soft cloth bags and not with other pieces which can scratch. Tarnishing (turning black) occurs when the sterling silver is exposed to air. Storing them in cloth bags when not in use will slow the tarnishing process. They must be kept dry as well. When they need to be polished a sterling silver jewelry polishing cloth (a soft cloth which contains a cleaning compound and is sold in many stores) is the best option as it is easy, clean, and safe to use. Unless the piece is large and smooth, sterling silver polish is not recommended as it is difficult to clean off any remaining polish. Dipping chemicals clean quickly and easily but can be harsh. Never use these chemicals on pieces which have blackened areas as part of the design as they will remove this as well. Use a polishing cloth instead. With proper care and storage your sterling silver jewelry pieces will stay beautiful for years to come.