How to Clean, Care and Store Jewelry

This Jewelry Cleaning guide shows you how to clean, care for, and store your silver jewelry. 

With a few simple habits, you can protect your favorite pieces from tarnish and damage, so it stays bright and beautiful for years. 

Why silver jewelry tarnishes

Silver is a metal that naturally reacts with elements in the air, such as sulfur and oxygen. This reaction creates a dark layer on the surface, known as tarnish. Moisture, sweat, perfumes, lotions, and creams can speed up this process.

The pH value of your skin also plays a role. If your skin is more acidic or you perspire a lot, silver and copper alloys, including sterling silver, can tarnish faster. Long storage times, exposure to light, and humidity also contribute to darkening. This is normal, but with the right care, you can slow it down.

For more background on silver as a metal, you can read our Maintenance Guide.

Jewelry cleaning guide for tarnished silver

When your silver jewelry looks slightly dull, start with the gentlest method. Use a soft, lint-free cloth or a special jewelry polishing cloth to restore the shine. Rub the piece gently in one direction rather than in circles to avoid micro-scratches.

If your jewelry is heavily tarnished, you can use a non-abrasive silver cleaner. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test the product on a small, less visible area first. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the piece completely with a soft cloth.

You may find many household tricks online, such as using baking soda, cola, ketchup, or toothpaste. Results vary, and some methods can be too harsh for delicate pieces or gemstones. We recommend using products specifically designed for silver whenever possible.

How to prevent your silver jewelry from tarnishing

The best jewelry cleaning guide always starts with prevention. Wearing your jewelry regularly is actually good for it, because the natural oils on your skin can help slow down tarnish. However, you should still protect your pieces from harsh conditions.

• Keep it dry: Avoid contact with water, especially chlorinated or salty water.
• Avoid chemicals: Remove jewelry before using perfumes, lotions, creams, hairspray, or cleaning products.
• Apply any cosmetics before your jewelry: Put on your skincare, makeup, and perfume, let them dry completely, and then add your jewelry.
• Remove for manual work: Take off rings and bracelets when washing dishes, cooking, cleaning, or doing any heavy work.
• No sports or sleeping: Remove jewelry before exercising or going to bed to avoid sweat, bumps, and pulls.

For more styling and care ideas, you can explore our jewelry collection and our detailed jewelry care tips.

How to store your silver jewelry correctly

Proper storage is essential in any jewelry cleaning guide. The three main rules are: no air, no light, and keep it dry.

• Use soft pouches or cloth: Wrap each piece in a soft cloth or place it in a fabric pouch.
• Seal out air: Store jewelry in small, sealable plastic bags or airtight containers.
• Use a closed box: Place the bags or pouches in a jewelry box or a closed container, such as a plastic storage box.
• Anti-tarnish strips: You can add anti-tarnish strips or pages to absorb moisture and sulfur compounds.
• Store pieces separately: Do not store all jewelry together in one bag, as pieces can scratch each other. Storing jewelry in separate soft pouches inside a closed box.
• Not all wooden boxes serve for storage: Do not use oak wooden boxes since oak contains tannin & acids that can accelerate the oxidation process.
• Avoid wood and rubber: Do not store silver in wooden drawers or with rubber items, as they may release acids or chemicals that cause tarnish.

Always make sure your jewelry is clean and completely dry before you store it.

What not to do with your jewelry

• Treat your jewel such as: Do not bend, pull, or knock your jewelry against hard surfaces – its jewelry!
• Do not leave your jewels to long light exposure: Avoid leaving jewelry in direct sunlight or strong artificial light for long periods.
• No contact with harsh substances: Keep jewelry away from chlorine, cleaning liquids, perfumes, creams, sweat, and even plain water when possible.
• Decorative mannequins are not meant to be jewelry holders: Do not store jewelry on open mannequins or stands as home decor; this exposes it to air and dust.
• Avoid water exposure: Take off your jewelry when taking a shower or a bath.

Preserve the beauty and longevity of your jewelry

Caring for your jewelry and using it correctly makes a big difference in how it looks and how long it lasts. By following this jewelry cleaning guide, you can keep your silver pieces radiant and timeless. A few minutes of care today will help your jewelry stay splendid for many years.

Want to learn more about our materials and craftsmanship? Visit our Jewelry Knowledge Platform page.