Caring for your Sterling Silver Jewelry
All fine sterling silver does tarnish. We recommend that you do not wear it in the shower, hot tub, sauna, ocean, and swimming pool. All of this exposure will only quicken the tarnishing process. The high chlorine and/or Bromine contents used in swimming pools and hot tubs will accelerate the tarnishing of Sterling Silver jewelry. Sometimes the high content of minerals in your water source will accelerate the tarnishing of Sterling Silver jewelry. Sometimes the chemical makeup and oils of your skin will accelerate the tarnishing of Sterling Silver jewelry.
Removing Black Tarnish from Sterling Silver Jewelry
Removing black tarnish from your Sterling Silver Jewelry may be accomplished by placing a double layer of aluminum foil in the bottom of a dishpan, adding warm water and 2 - 3 heaping tablespoons of baking soda. Place the black tarnished item in the dishpan in contact with the aluminum foil, allow to soak for a few minutes and the tarnish will come off. Rinse the items well and buff with a soft polishing cloth to restore luster.
Caring for your Gemstones
With age, gemstones will pick up oils and dirt from your skin that just soaking will not remove. What you want is to bring that gemstone back to the original shine and remove all oils. I use Mr. Clean and warm, luke water. You may use a coffee mug and fill it with water. Place the mug with water in the microwave until it is warm, not boiling. Add a dash of Mr. Clean to the water and set your gemstones in the mug. Let your jewelry sit for a while. Use a soft toothbrush and lightly brush the front, sides and back of the gemstone. Rince with warm water. The Mr. Clean will not damage your gemstones. DO NOT USE THIS TECHNIQUE ON MARCASITES.
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