All silver darkens over time, that is significant for silver with high silver content. To maintain optimum quality of Your jewelries be sure to keep them in a dry place, preferably in the accompanying box. Do not wear the jewelries when sleeping and remember to always take them off when taking a shower, doing the dishes, exercising, etc., to avoid excessive wear. Silver reacts to sulfide and oxygen in the air, on skin, in fabrics, plastics, rubber, cigarette smoke, fossil fuels, perfumes and some body lotions. The oxidation is inevitable, but is usually easy to remedy. Here are some simple methods:
Ketchup
Take a little ketchup on a polishing cloth and polish the silver until it shines. Rinse with water and wipe dry with a clean polishing cloth. An environmentally friendly method without grounding effect.
Toothpaste
Put a little toothpaste on a polishing cloth and polish the silver until it shines. Rinse with water and wipe dry with a clean polishing cloth. The method has a mild grounding effect and is preferable if You want to get rid of small bumps.
Baking powder and aluminium foil
Boil some water in an aluminium saucepan or pour boiling hot water into a plastic bowl with the bottom covered with aluminium foil. Add 1,5 - 2 teaspoons of baking powder per liter water. Put down the silver so it is covered with water and in contact with the aluminium foil. Let it be in the bath till the black coating has diappeared, it usually takes a few minutes. Take up the silver, rinse it off and polish with a clean polishing cloth. This method is simple, has no abrasive effect and no silver loss due to the chemical reaction with aluminium (reduction, the opposite to oxidation).
Silver Polish
There are many good silver polishes on the market. Just follow the instructions that comes with it. Silver polish is a method that gives the best result and a long-term protection.
Note! Don't rub too hard when You clean Your jewelry, otherwise scratches might occur.
