Sterling silver jewelry can last a lifetime but it requires care to keep it in the best condition. Here's some suggestions to help:
Wearing your silver jewelry is the best way to slow tarnish build-up. But if you have several pieces as most of us do, you cannot wear it all daily. Here's an easy solution to care for the pieces while you are not wearing them. Store your jewelry in an airtight bag between wearing to prevent tarnish build-up.
Tarnish is a natural occurrence and happens as your jewelry is exposed to the air. This is the one of the hallmarks for genuine silver. If you notice tarnish, the first step to cleaning your jewelry is soap and water (liquid soap like you would use to wash your hands) and a soft cloth. Lather up your hands with soap and water and then gently wash your jewelry. Then, with the soft cloth, dry your jewelry and then allow a bit of time for your piece to air dry before placing back in the airtight bag. Cleaning your jewelry in this way will not damage your jewelry as long as you do not have extended exposure or pressure. A gentle washing and drying is the first and safest way to keep your jewelry looking beautiful. Everything needs a bath, and your jewelry is not excluded from that rule.
If you are not able to remove the tarnish with the gentle washing as suggested, then the next step is to use a chemically treated cloth. We do not recommend the use of dipping solutions as some can permanently discolour your silver jewelry. Tarnish can be removed easily with a polishing cloth. We sell polishing cloths because we believe this is a quick and easy way to keep your pieces looking their best.
Here are some things we recommend ~ avoid exposing your silver to all household chemicals including but not limited to bleach or ammonia.
Do not allow your jewelry to come into contact with items containing sulfur. Examples would be latex gloves, rubber bands, wool, and items containing elastic.
Also, several foods may cause silver to tarnish more rapidly, a few examples would be things like eggs, onions, olives, vinegar, salad dressings, salt and fruit juices. Be sure to wash your hands after handling these items.
Also, remove your jewelry before washing dishes, swimming, bathing or showering. Be sure to apply make-up, hair spray, lotion and perfume before you put on your sterling silver jewelry and never sleep in it. Make-up, perfumes and lotions can damage your sterling silver jewelry. Make a rule when getting dressed to let your jewelry be the last thing you put on before leaving the house and the first thing you take off upon returning.
If you take care of your sterling silver jewelry, you can enjoy it for a lifetime!
It’s pool time, but not for your E By Eletta jewels!
We're often asked "will chlorine damage my silver jewelry"? We love summer and all that goes with it including time spent in the pool and on the beach. Who doesn't? Well, the answer is not necessarily who doesn’t' but maybe what doesn't. Here's my public service announcement. Sterling silver jewels look great with your beachwear but don't go in the water with them. They will tarnish and, in some cases, become damaged by exposure to pool and saltwater.
Water, in and off itself, doesn't cause the damage. In fact, we recommend a gentle washing using soft soap and water as a regular way to keep your jewelry clean and help remove tarnish. When your silver is exposed to water for short periods followed by a soft cloth to dry, no damage will result in the short exposure. Water isn't the culprit when it comes to damage, it's the chemicals in the water.
Water found in pools contain various amounts of chlorine and we recommend you enjoy lots of time in the pool, just don't wear your jewelry. And, another place that chlorine is found is in hot tubs and usually in higher concentrations. Not only will the chlorine cause tarnish but the heat of the water will cause the chlorine to do double work dulling your once shiny pieces and the damage may not be reversible.
And, no warning to protect your sterling silver jewelry during the summer months would be complete without mentioning saltwater. Saltwater can be corrosive and leave a residue that will need to be removed, if it can be.
If you accidentally jump in wearing your sterling silver jewelry, don't despair. Wash your jewelry as quickly as possible with soap and water and then dry it completely. If you didn't wait too long and are able to clean it quickly, you may avoid irreversible damage. And, if the simple washing with soap and water doesn't do the trick, we recommend using a sterling silver polishing cloth.
A sterling silver jewelry polishing cloth that is chemically treated to remove tarnish is the safest way to clean and restore your silver pieces to their original shine. I can't tell you how often I've been on the phone with a customer who used a liquid jewelry cleaner on their sterling pieces only to find that their jewelry has been ruined. We've created a video to show how to clean your sterling silver jewelry with a polishing cloth. It's posted just above.
If you love sterling silver jewelry as much as I do, don't dunk your jewels in the pool, hot tub, saltwater or liquid jewelry cleaner.
That's my public service announcement for all my girlfriends.
Frost yourselves darlings!
Love,
Eletta