Sterling Silver Jewellery Care

Sterling silver is a metal that consists of 92.5% pure silver, mixed with 7.5% other alloys such as copper. This mix makes the metal much more durable, as pure silver is soft and malleable, and not ideal for jewellery. This gives all sterling silver the 925 stamp, meaning it is certified as being made from almost pure silver.

The high purity level of sterling silver means it is unlikely to tarnish or go brassy over time. It also won't ever oxidise against your skin leaving marks where the jewellery has sat - much like some other metals do - and as it is hypoallergenic, those with skin sensitivities are highly unlikely to have a reaction to it. These aspects of sterling silver jewellery make it perfect for everyday wear and a firm favourite with many silver jewellery wearers.

Sterling silver can, however, lose its shine over time and become dark and dull. This is completely normal and just a result of reacting to environmental aspects. Thankfully, this is easily reversed with regular polishing and safe storage.

The best way to bring the shine back to your beloved sterling silver jewellery is with regular polishing. Grab a soft, dry polishing cloth and gently rub at the surface of the piece until you buff away any dullness and the jewellery begins to shine again. Quite often, not wearing your silver jewellery can be the leading cause of it looking dark and dull, as the natural oils in your skin help to keep the surface clean and shiny. This means that the more you wear your jewellery, the more likely it is to stay looking fresh!

When wearing your sterling silver jewellery, try to avoid it coming into contact with any chemicals. This means taking your sterling silver rings off when you apply skincare or creams, and making sure you don't have your jewellery on when you spritz your favourite perfume. While they're unlikely to harm it permanently, lotions and potions will have an effect on the surface beauty of your jewellery, so try not to slip on your favourite rings or chains until your skin is clean and dry. Have a read of our guide to building and caring for your silver jewellery collection for more great tips.

While we recommend wearing your sterling silver pieces regularly to keep them looking their best, we understand that this isn't always easy, especially for those with a large collection. When you're not wearing your pieces, the best place for them is stored in a secure jewellery box or case, away from lots of light and dust. The surface of each piece may still darken over time, but as we said above, a quick polish will soon bring them back to life.

Other great storage solutions are jewellery stands, trinket dishes, ring holders, or jewellery rolls. Whether you're wanting to keep them safe and secure while you're off on your travels, or you just want a place for them to live on your dresser, a great jewellery storage accessory is ideal for lengthening the life of your sterling silver.