CAUSES OF SILVER TARNISH - Oxidation or tarnishing is a normal process for most sterling silver. I have been a sterling silver jewelry wearer for most my life. I have also been a bit careless with my jewelry cleaning and storage as much as the next person. Over the years I have found the following to be the cause of silver jewelry looking old before it's time.

1. Leaving your silver exposed to humidity and air pollutants will cause your silver to oxidize or tarnish.

2. Keeping your silver loose near other metals, even other silver will cause your silver to tarnish quickly.

3. Jewelry boxes do not protect your jewelry. Storing your silver loose in wooden jewelry boxes or any other jewelry box will also cause your silver to tarnish over time.

4. Wearing your silver jewelry while using chemicals products such as bleach, hair chemicals, and house cleaning solutions, may damage your silver irreversibly. Make sure you remove your jewelry before using any chemicals. I learned that the hard way.

STORING SILVER JEWELRY - Some people like to have an antiqued look to their silver. In case you don't, I have found a few good ways to store jewelry and keep it in like new condition for longer periods of time.

1. One way to store your silver is to wrap it in plain white tissue paper first then place it in a polybags. I store my favorite pieces this way before I put them in my jewelry box.

2. Anti-tarnish cloth jewelry bags work very well. Jewelry supply stores or your local jeweler may carry this type of bag.

3. Airtight zip-lock bags like Glad works very well for keeping your jewelry protected. I still suggest wrapping in tissue paper for added protection.

4. Don't junk your jewelry together in one place. Keep them separate or at least keep your favorite pieces separate from your other jewelry. Junking your jewelry together not only causes oxidation, but also dents, scratches, and breakage.

CLEANING YOUR JEWELRY (medium to light tarnishing) - In case your silver jewelry tarnishes slightly from regular wear or just leaving it around from time to time, here are some cleaning suggestions that work well.

1. For cleaning smooth, high-polished surfaces, use a soft light polishing cloth used especially for jewelry cleaning. Local jewelry supply stores, craft stores, some hardware stores, and grocery stores may carry jewelry polishing cloths. Buff or rub the surface gently in one direction. Try to keep you fingers from touching the surface while you are cleaning.

2. Never use rags, teri-cloth, dish scrubbers, or any other coarse materials to clean your silver. You will cause light to heavy scratches to the surfaces that only a professional jeweler can buff out for you.

3. To remove fingerprints or light dirt, use a small amount of liquid soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Make sure you dry the jewelry item completely before storing again. Remember moisture cause oxidation.

4. If you get pen or marker ink on your silver, use a little nail polish remover and a cotton swab. Wash, rinse and dry your jewelry immediately afterwards.

FOR HEAVILY TARNISHED AND CREVICED JEWELRY If you have a heavily tarnished silver chain or jewelry items with deep textures, grooves, nooks, and crevices, here are a few suggestions.

1. Silver cleaning paste or non-abrasive liquid polish with a soft cloth or soft brush works very well. Just make sure you rinse the cleaner off thoroughly.

2. For quick cleaning, liquid tarnish rmovers are ok to use sparingly. Dip them briefly to remove initial hard tarnish, then wash them off immediately with liquid soap and water. After drying, I use a polishing cloth to lightly buff to a brighter shine. DO NOT USE LIQUID TARNISH CLEANERS FOR JEWELRY WITH PEARLS OR OTHER COLORED STONES. These cleaners destroy the top layer of pearls and stones, and there is no way to get their finish back.

3. To clean heavily tarnished silver chains, I use plain toothpaste (not gel) and a soft toothbrush. After a brisk, but gentle brushing, rinse the toothpaste off, dry the chain completely and then use a polishing cloth to give shine to the chain again. I would not recommend using toothpaste for any other silver cleaning because it is too abrasive and it will scratch your silver's surface.

Just remember, to prevent having to clean your jewelry regularly, keep it protected as much as you can. Read the directions carefully before using any silver cleaning products or harsh chemicals. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions regarding silver jewelry care please feel free to contact me.