Indira's guide to the care and cleaning of silver jewellery

Over time, whether we wear it or not, our favorite silver jewelry loses its luster or, worse, unexpectedly changes color: either it turns green, turning green the portion that came into contact with the skin, or purely and simply darken from the original pure silver hue. The care and cleaning of silver jewelry is therefore a natural and necessary gesture for us, lovers of creativity expressed through accessories.

Why is this happening?

Silver, in contact and in combination with sulphur, is affected by a chemical reaction - oxidation , which changes the color of the material on which it is produced. Thus, silver jewelry acquires a new unflattering color, which varies from yellow to gray-black.

Another inevitable reason silver jewelry can lose its luster is... atmosphere . Therefore, the ideal way to store silver is in tightly closed cloth or plastic bags. In addition, it would be preferable not to store all the jewelry in the same place, since silver is a soft metal and the pieces can easily scratch each other. Necklaces and bracelets should be kept open (we mean clasps here) for the same reason. If individual bags cannot be used, ensure that the humidity in the storage area is low. You can use a few pieces of chalk or special pads with silica gel, these have the role of absorbing moisture and preventing the loss of shine.

To prevent oxidation, it is ideal not to wear jewelry in the following situations:

• In household chores such as washing dishes, laundry and when using cleaning products;
• When you exercise, at the gym or when you play a sport;
• In the shower or bath;
• At the pool, jacuzzi or sauna;
• In places where the sun burns very strongly;
• When you are getting ready to go out (body cream, make-up, hair styling products);
• When you cook or eat products containing sulfur (this includes eggs or mayonnaise);
• Yard work such as gardening.

There are small things that will keep your jewelry in perfect condition for as long as possible.

Care and polishing of silver jewelry

According to the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, polishing jewelry too harshly removes the silver film from the surface and irreparably affects the appearance of the jewelry. Fortunately, there are much gentler methods, mostly using affordable ingredients, to restore and preserve the luster of silver jewelry.

1. The miracle solution: what you need

• A container (pot or bowl)
• Aluminum foil
• Hot water
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of water

How to do it:

1. Place the aluminum foil on the bottom of the bowl.
2. In another pot, boil water and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of existing water.
3. Place the piece of jewelry in the dish, making sure it touches the aluminum foil. This is essential for the chemical reaction to occur.
4. Add the mixture of boiled water and baking soda to the bowl.
5. Wait between 2-10 minutes, depending on the degree of oxidation.
6. Wait for it to dry and check the result.

2. Laundry detergent

For example, to restore the shine of the silver Music Note pendant or the Parallel Bar ring, place aluminum foil on the bottom of a medium-sized bowl and fill it with hot water. Add a teaspoon of laundry detergent, mix and then submerge the silver jewelry for 1 minute. Rinse them with clean water and then let them dry.

3. Starch

The starch and water mixture works wonders on dull jewelry. Apply it to the surface of the jewelry with a piece of dry cloth until it dries, then remove it with a rougher towel.

5. Toothpaste

Put some toothpaste on a piece of cloth and polish the silver jewelry. After rinsing, you will see how they shine again!

7. Vinegar

Another very popular remedy against the effects of oxidation is a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Leave the jewelry to soak for 2-3 hours, rinse with cold water and dry carefully.

What we do with our favorite jewelry on vacation

Summer is the travel season, so it's full of vacations in places with lots of sun, sand, sea and high temperatures. Or maybe you are fans of mountain adventures? In any case, no luggage is complete without your favorite silver jewelry, which we must pack separately to protect it from scratches or other unwanted accidents.

Moisture and chemical reactions produced in the skin due to high temperatures are decisive factors in changing the color and quality of jewelry. They can cause unwanted changes in the appearance of the jewelry, and it is preferable that they be worn sparingly. Especially at night, when the body sweats more, this fact can lead to faster oxidation of the accessories worn overnight.

Also because of the many chemicals in sunscreens or perfumes, contact between these and the jewelry we wear at the beach must be avoided. Before entering the pool, we must remove our silver jewelry, as chlorine is quite a strong substance. If we still entered the pool with them, it is necessary to rinse, clean and dry them afterwards.

In this way, we can enjoy our favorite accessories as much as possible, an even tan and a perfect vacation!

"I've always thought of accessories as the exclamation mark of a woman's outfit," says Michael Kors. Then let's keep our jewels as a hearty chorus at the most anticipated festival of the summer.