HOW-TO | How to Store & Care for Sterling Silver Jewelry
We typically store silver jewelry in jewelry boxes, in drawer organizers, hanging from a wall display or even placing them on top of the nightstand. Those are all great ways to store your precious jewels, but at the end of the day, are you storing your sterling silver jewelry properly without them tarnishing?
Here are some tips on how to store your sterling silver jewelry.
THREADER HOOPS - Let's talk about the threader hoops. Because of their lightweight designs, they can be harder to keep clean and sometimes retain their polish after wearing them so often. It's best to store them lying flat with an anti-tarnish tab. This will also allow them to maintain their structure. I know this is not how you'd like your jewelry to be stored or look when you open your jewelry box.
EARRINGS and RINGS - These items are best stored individually in small pouches or compartments in your jewelry box. Compartmentalize organizers allow easy access while keeping each piece separate.
NECKLACES and CHAINS - Readymade chain can be the hardest to clean when your necklaces are stored improperly. I love hanging necklaces on a wall display, because it's a fun way to create a simple decorative wall art with them. But if you're hanging sterling silver necklaces, they won't retain their luster for long, and we all know how hard it is to polish up chain when it has tarnished overtime.
You can place the inside plastic baggies with the clasp outside the seal to help prevent tangling while reducing the exposure to air. Jewelry rolls are a great way to store them with anti-tarnish tabs or strips placed inside. Plus, both options are travel-friendly and not only prevent tarnishing but also prevents tangling.
BRACELETS and BANGLES - Store chain link or beaded bracelets flat in lined compartments or individually wrap the in a soft cloth. For bangles, stacking them together with a soft cloth in between or anti-tarnish tabs or strips.
Also note, when wearing jewelry, we don't clean them right away. Every season we wear our jewelry different, sometimes we change how we apply lotion or perfume. At the end of the day, it could be good practice to gently clean your jewelry with a polishing cloth before storing them. Take a few minutes to remove any excess lotion and perfume build to maintain their shine.
AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS - To prevent moisture and exposure to air, storing your jewelry in airtight containers can significantly reduce tarnishing. Using small zip lock plastic baggies are effective and affordable. Store your jewelry individually will also prevent your pieces from scratches from contact with other jewelry. Fabric lined jewelry boxes with a secure lid also work very well.
Note: Your CLJ jewelry arrives in recycled or repurposed cotton fabric jewelry pouches or a jewelry box.
ANTI-TARNISH TABS OR STRIPS - With every sterling silver jewelry purchase, you receive an anti-tarnish tab. These tabs absorb moisture and chemicals that cause tarnish. They are great because they can extend the life of your silver pieces from tarnishing. Simply placing a tab in your jewelry box or a small zip lock baggie will help maintain a tarnish-free environment for your jewelry.
AVOID MOISTURE and HUMIDITY - I sometimes tend to take some pieces of my jewelry off and place them on the countertop or cabinet in the bathroom, this is definitely not what you want to do. Humidity and moisture are your worse enemy when it comes to caring for your jewelry. Sterling silver should be kept in a dry, cool place away from any moisture and humidity in your home and when you're traveling.
Another alternative to keeping jewelry moisture and humidity free, are silica gel packets. You can create a more controlled environment using silica gel packets by placing them inside your jewelry box, individual compartments as they absorb any excess moisture. You don't even have to buy them, because they are often found in packages from items we purchase. It's good practice to collect and save them.
CHEMICALS and HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS - We all know hair sprays, perfumes and household cleaning products contain chemicals that react with silver. So, it's important to apply hairspray and perfume prior to adorning jewelry. It's also good practice to stay away from wearing jewelry while you're using any household cleaning products.
During warmer seasons, we love to take a dip in the pool or the ocean. Saltwater and chlorine can damage silver if not cleaned properly. Please be sure to remove any silver jewelry when you plan to be exposed to saltwater or chlorine for any long periods of time.
TRAVELING with SILVER JEWELRY - Have extra anti-tarnish tabs and polishing clothes with you when traveling. Post travel, take time to clean all of your jewelry before storing them at home in your jewelry box.
We all have jewelry we wear on a daily basis, for those pieces, a quick wipe with a polishing or microfiber cloth after each use keeps them looking fresh. For those items you wear less often can benefit with monthly cleaning and storing in airtight containers between wear can prevents unnecessary tarnish. I know life gets busy, but it's so important to create and maintain a long-term jewelry care routine. Creating simple habits ensures the longevity of your jewelry looking beautiful overtime.
Note: Your jewelry orders arrive with a small jewelry cleaning cloth, that's great to have on hand when traveling or at your bedside table. However, I am a big fan of microfiber cloths, because I like how they thoroughly clean the surface of my jewelry.
If at any point, you're unable to restore the luster of your silver jewelry, I'm happy to restore them for you. Or you can try these cleaning methods at home:
- Summer Jewelry Care
- Sterling Silver Jewelry care.
- Precious Metal and Gemstone Care
- How to Travel with Jewelry and Stay Organized
Everyone has a different system. How do you keep your jewelry collection organized?
Cheers!
Photo credit: Cindy Liebel
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