Jewellery is an expression of style, sentiment, and artistry. To ensure it remains beautiful and continues to shine for years, proper care and maintenance are essential.

This guide is divided into two sections. The first shares simple, everyday care tips for those happy to put in a little regular effort. The second offers practical recommendations for restoring the shine of silver jewellery that has lost its original lustre — ideal for pieces that need more than daily upkeep.

Everyday Tips

1. Keep Your Jewellery Dry

Moisture is one of jewellery’s biggest enemies. Always keep your jewellery completely dry, as exposure to water can cause tarnishing or damage over time. If a piece is not worn frequently, store it in a dust-avoiding fabric bag to protect it from air and humidity. 

Also note that even if not worn while bathing, bathroom humidity can accelerate tarnish. Store jewellery in a dry, cool, and dark space instead. 

2. Remove Jewellery During Daily Activities

To prevent unnecessary wear and tear, avoid wearing jewellery while:

• Swimming, bathing or showering
• Any physical activity that makes you sweat
• Sleeping

If your jewellery comes into contact with seawater or sweat, rinse it gently with fresh water, then wipe it dry using a soft cloth.

3. Avoid Contact with Chemicals

Direct contact with chemicals can dull or damage jewellery surfaces. Keep your jewellery away from:

• Perfumes
• Solvents
• Cosmetics
• Detergents and other cleaning chemicals
  
  

4. Store Away from Rubber Products

Rubber can cause discolouration and surface deterioration over time due to sulphur compounds. We recommend:

• Store jewellery separately from elastic bands, rubber-lined boxes, and foam inserts

• Sulphur reacts with metals — especially silver — causing tarnish, loss of shine, and faster wear
  
  

5. Protect from Extreme Temperatures

Avoid temperatures above 60°C (140°F) or below 0°C (32°F). Sudden temperature changes can also be harmful. Precious jewellery should not be exposed to extreme heat or cold.

If you live in a humid climate, keep your jewellery away from direct sunlight and consider placing a small packet of desiccant crystals in your jewellery storage area to help control moisture. Also paper can absorb sulphur and moisture. As well as, soft fabric or cotton-lined pouches are better for storing than plastic containers, which can trap humidity. 

6. Other Tips to Consider 

• Open jewellery boxes occasionally to prevent trapped moisture
• Use a humidity-controlled jewellery cabinet for valuable collections
• Put on jewellery after applying creams, makeup, or perfume
• Store pieces separately to avoid scratching
• Even if not visibly dirty, wipe jewellery with a soft microfiber cloth to remove oils, dust, and sweat

Pro Silver Care at Home

Even at home, you can care for your silver jewellery like the professionals do in stores. With a few simple practices, your pieces can stay shiny, tarnish-free, and display-ready.

For lightly soiled jewellery, a soft, dry cloth is usually sufficient but if your jewellery is extremely dirty, here are different solutions to consider: 

1. Washing Liquid Method

It’s mild, readily available, and safe for most metals and hard gemstones when used correctly. You just need to clarify that it should be a gentle, non-abrasive, phosphate-free dishwashing liquid — not harsh detergents.

For jewellery that isn’t heavily soiled or contains delicate stones, a dishwashing liquid method is a simple and safe option. This method relies on soaking and gentle washing to remove oils, dirt, and light tarnish without scrubbing.

Follow these steps: 

1. Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of mild, non-abrasive dishwashing liquid
2. Soak your jewellery for 10–15 minutes
3. Gently move the pieces in the solution, then rinse under clean running water
4. Dry completely and polish the item with a soft drying and polishing cloth

This method is easy and safe for delicate stones like pearls, opals, or enamel. It also reduces risk of scratching metals or loosening settings. But it's not ideal (not enough) for stubborn grime in intricate crevices. 

2. Toothbrush Method

Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is one of the easiest ways to clean jewellery at home, especially pieces with intricate designs or hard-to-reach areas.

Steps:

1. Use a soft toothbrush
2. Apply gentle soap
3. Clean under warm running water
4. Rinse thoroughly
5. Dry completely and polish the item with a soft drying and polishing cloth 

Gently scrub the jewellery with a soft toothbrush under warm running water, optionally using a tiny drop of mild, non-abrasive soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.

This gentle method helps restore shine but bear in mind that this process requires careful handling. Too much pressure or aggressive scrubbing can bend delicate chains or settings. Also hard-bristled or old toothbrushes can scratch metals or loosen stones. This method is not suitable for all gemstones: pearls, opals, emeralds, and other soft stones can be damaged by brushing or water.

3. Baking Soda Method

When silver jewellery has lost its shine and shows visible tarnish, the baking soda method is an easy and effective solution. It’s stronger than dishwashing liquid but still safe if done carefully.

Steps:

1. Make a paste by mixing baking soda with a few drops of water
2. Apply the paste to your silver jewellery using a soft cloth or a soft-bristled toothbrush
3. Gently rub the tarnished areas, focusing on discoloured spots, but avoid hard scrubbing on delicate stones
4. Must rinse thoroughly to remove any residue
5. Dry completely and polish the item with a soft drying and polishing cloth

This method effectively removes tarnish and stubborn oxidation and it's affordable and easy to do at home. It's also safe for plain silver and harder gemstones when applied gently. But this method can scratch soft stones or plated jewellery if rubbed too hard, so, it's not recommended for delicate materials like pearls, opals, or enamel. 

4. Aluminium Foil + Baking Soda Soak (for Silver)

This is a do-it-yourself method that removes silver tarnish using aluminium foil, baking soda, and hot water. Sulfur compounds in tarnish react with aluminium, restoring silver’s shine.

Steps:

1. Line a bowl with aluminium foil, shiny side facing up
2. Place your silver jewellery on the foil
3. Avoid stacking pieces directly on top of each other
4. Boil water and pour into the bowl, enough to fully submerge the jewellery
5. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda per cup of water
6. Stir gently to dissolve
7. Let it soak for a few minutes
8. Tarnished silver will begin to regain its shine as the reaction occurs
9. For heavier tarnish, leave it 5-10 minutes, but don't exceed 15 minutes
10. Rinse thoroughly under running water. Make sure all residue from baking soda is washed off
11. Dry completely and polish the item with a soft drying and polishing cloth or gently buff to restore shine

This method is ideal for heavily tarnished solid silver. It does not scratch metal, but it's not suitable for plated silver, delicate stones, or costume jewellery.

Avoid using on soft or porous stones such as pearls, opals, coral, or amber.

Keep silver separate from other metals during the reaction to prevent discolouration.

5. Precious Metal Cleaning Products

Precious metal cleaning creams are specially formulated products sold in jewellery stores or online to clean and polish metals like silver, gold, and platinum. They are designed to safely remove tarnish, oxidation, and surface dirt while restoring shine.

Steps:

1. Apply a small amount of cream to a soft cloth or sponge
2. Gently rub the jewellery in circular motions, focusing on tarnished areas
3. Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water to remove all residue
4. Dry completely and polish the item with a soft drying and polishing cloth

Use a dedicated soft cloth for these creams to avoid scratching. For pieces with intricate designs, a soft brush can help apply the cream gently.

This method is easy and convenient. It doesn’t require soaking or special equipment and works well for light to moderate tarnish. It's also safe for most solid precious metals and gives jewellery a quick, professional-looking shine.

But here are some cautions as well. Avoid using on plated jewellery — repeated use can wear away the plating. Not recommended for delicate stones like pearls, opals, amber or other soft/porous gemstones. Always follow the product instructions carefully — some creams are stronger than others.

Here are some of the brands to look for:

• ERES Silver Net
• Johnson HopeaKiilto Silver Polish
• Connoisseur Jewellery Cleaner
• Weiman Jewelry Cleaner Liquid
• Hagerty Silver Polish
• Goddard's Silver Polish Foam or Liquid
• Jax Cleaner/Polisher for Silver
  
• ERES Silver Net
  
  

6. Ultrasonic Cleaner (Home-Friendly Version)

An ultrasonic cleaner uses high-frequency sound waves in water to gently remove dirt, oils, and grime from jewellery, including hard-to-reach areas. It’s a method commonly used by professional jewellers, but smaller, safe versions are available for home use.

It's excellent for intricate designs and hard gemstones and delivers professional results at home.

Steps:

1. Fill the ultrasonic machine’s tank with water and add a few drops of mild cleaning solution (often included with the machine)
2. Place your jewellery in the basket, making sure pieces don’t touch each other
3. Turn the machine on and let it run for the recommended time (usually 3–5 minutes)
4. Remove the jewellery and rinse under clean water
5. Dry completely and polish the item with a soft drying and polishing cloth or gently buff to restore shine

It's very effective at removing dirt and oils but it is not safe for soft or porous stones such as pearls, opals, emeralds, coral, amber or turquoise. Avoid use on plated jewellery, delicate enamel, or items with glued settings. Please also note that overuse or leaving jewellery in the machine too long can loosen stones or damage delicate pieces. For delicate or vintage pieces, a gentle hand cleaning method is safer.

Final Tip

Regular care goes a long way. With just a little attention, your jewellery will remain radiant, elegant, and ready to wear for every occasion.

If you ever feel your jewellery requires expert care, don’t hesitate to reach out: shop@kirivoo.com