Here is a silver jewelry interview tutorial to read and share! Discover all the recipes of grandmother, the tricks of the modern times and those of the professionals.
First of all, it is normal for silver jewelry to blacken. A silver jewelry can be of excellent quality, it is nonetheless subject to the vagaries of time. Silver oxidizes, this chemical reaction takes place between the silver layer in contact with the air, and the oxygen. Indeed, whether you wear your jewel or not, the money will darken over time.
Maintaining silver jewelry
Several factors will lead to a more or less rapid blackening. Let's see what accelerates the blackening of silver, or its oxidation:
- The PH of your skin, which varies from one person to another and depending on what you consume. In fact, your PH will be more acidic if you consume acidic foods or alcoholic drinks.
- Contact with
- acid perspiration
- cosmetics,
- the perfume,
- cleaning products,
- chlorinated pool water
- synthetic fabrics, which cause electrochemical reactions
- a very humid air
Maintenance silver jewelry, everyday
Here are some simple steps to take care of your silver jewelry:
- Remove them for cleaning, sport, going to the pool
- Drop your perfume drops away from the contact areas with your jewelry
- Prefer a neutral pH soap (if you do not remove your jewelry in the shower!)
- Remove your silver jewelry to sleep if your skin is acid (acid skin = your jewelry darken very quickly)
Little wonder of trick : store your jewelry with a chalk. In fact, the chalk stick will absorb moisture.
How to clean silver jewelry
You have been warned!, the maintenance of silver jewelry is not at all the same if it involves precious or semi-precious stones. Indeed, it will be necessary to go around the stones so as not to damage them! Their chemical composition might not at all appreciate a treatment reserved for silver.
If your silver jewelry contain stones, equip yourself with a toothbrush, a soft cloth and a dose of patience. If necessary, a little elbow grease will suffice.
Remember to use a chamois or microfiber type cloth to avoid scratching the money.
The recipes of grandmothers
- Baking soda
Place the baking soda on a previously wet toothbrush and rub gently.
- Ash of cold wood
Same as bicarbonate
- White vinegar
Cover your silver jewelry with white vinegar. Leave 2 for hours.
- Lemon juice
Dip a toothbrush into squeezed lemon juice and rub gently.
The tricks of modern times
- Coca
Soak your silver jewelry in coca, for 1 minute. Wash them with soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
- Toothpaste
Cover the silver jewelry with toothpaste and let sit 30 minutes.
- Beer
Plunge your silver jewels into the beer. Leave it overnight.
The vision of the professional
All these methods work very well for light oxidation. For more intense jewelry care, there are baths for professional cleaning. However, it is best to avoid metal cleaning liquids that you can find in supermarkets because they are too corrosive. There are products dedicated to jewelry care, such as Hagerty products, a brand specializing in the care of jewelry and precious objects. These items range from 7 to 10 euros.
