Looking After Your Silver

The silver jewellery on sale at Essential is genuine 925 silver; 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% of alloy metal (usually copper). As a soft metal, silver needs a bit of tender love and care. Read on for our tips on how to keep your silver looking brand shiny new.

STORING IT

On exposure to air a black layer of silver oxide can form on silver jewellery, causing it to turn yellow or black in colour. But don’t panic, as this is perfectly normal and the jewellery can be cleaned to restore it to its original brightness. If you wear your silver every day, the less likely it is to discolour or tarnish, but if you don’t, it’s best to store it in a plastic bag or a box when you’re not wearing it which will help to stop it tarnishing.

POLISHING IT

If your silver is starting to tarnish, polishing it is one of the best ways to get it looking its best again. Our polishing cloths are made of high quality cotton that is impregnated with a silver cleaner and anti-tarnish agent. The cloths cost as little as 99p from our website or in our stores and will remain effective as long as it is not washed.

CLEANING IT

But if some silver has been truly unloved, you might need a little more help to get it back to its bright and beautiful best. If a polishing cloth just won’t cut it, give liquid silver dip a go. Simply dip your jewellery in the liquid for around 30 seconds, take it out and dry it on a paper towel, then polish it. Ta da! Beautiful silver once again.

DO NOT however use silver dip on cubic zirconia or precious stones as it can damage them. If you’ve got cubic zirconia or stone jewellery that is tarnished and just can’t be polished up nicely, softly brushing it with a dry toothbrush can help make it look clean again.

CHAINS

Our snake chains are one of the best-selling chains in store and on our website, but they need some looking after too. Although these chains are strong – and look great with almost everything – they can kink if they aren’t looked after properly. It’s best to hang these chains up or lay them flat when you’re not wearing them, and to take the pendant off whilst it’s being stored to stop it kinking.