Silver has a natural tendency to oxidize when exposed to light and oxygen. The best way to keep your silver from tarnishing is to wear it. The natural oils from our skin will help keep it sparkling. When not wearing your jewelry, store it in ziploc bags or flannel pouches in a dark spot.
We recommend a treated flannel cloth. We buy ours from Birks (1.800.682.2622), but they are available at many jewelry stores. These cloths should not be washed as they are treated with a silver cleaner. They will last a long time. You can also use a rouge cloth, which is available from many jewelry stores. The cloth comprised of two sides; one contains powdered hematite that cleans the silver as you rub the item and the other side is an untreated flannel cloth that buffs the item and removes loose particles. Liquid silver polishes are useful for larger pieces or pieces with hard-to-reach places. The liquid cleaner is applied to the silver using a soft cloth and is then allowed to dry. Once dry, the residue is polished off with a clean soft cloth. The item is then rinsed with warm water. This is a time consuming method of cleaning, but highly effective for badly tarnished pieces.
MATTE SILVER
A safe and gentle method for cleaning matte silver is to rub toothpaste on the item in a circular motion and then rinse with warm water.
GOLD
The polishing cloth should not be used on our Gold Digger pieces. They should be cleaned with mild soap and water.
JUST SAY NO TO CHEMICAL DIPS!
Chemical dips are a quick and effective way to remove tarnish from hard-to-reach places or intricate pieces. However, dips are highly corrosive and should not be used often, as they will strip the silver of its natural luster. Most dips require little effort to use but your piece will tarnish faster with the use of these chemicals. Pieces that contain gemstones or pearls should never be dipped as the cleaner can alter the finish and chemistry of these materials.