Vibe Care

Prevention

Tarnishing is the process of oxidation of metal, it starts to happen when silver comes in contact with chemicals like sulphur, ammonia and natural oils in your skin, and then left exposed to oxygen. The tarnishing process of silver over time isn't avoidable, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent it.

  • Avoid contact with cosmetics and  chemicals. Lotion, perfume, hair spray, chlorine etc. speed up the tarnishing process. So best to get ready for your day and then add your jewellery.
  • Wear your pieces! It might sound contradictory, but wearing your jewellery as often as you can, will help you avoid tarnishing. Your skin produces natural oils that seem to clean the metal as it rubs and touches the skin, keeping it looking bright and shiny. However, this same oil will cause tarnish when jewellery is left unworn for long periods of time, so the best way to stop your silver tarnishing is to wear it!
  • Storing your jewellery correctly. Your pieces should be in a moisture-free, cool dry place. Humidity, sunlight and heat can hasten oxidation.

Cleaning

There are many options on how to clean your silver jewellery. My favourite eco friendly method is to soak your pieces in vinegar and salt. see video: Alternatively you can buy polishing cloths or a silver cleaner or ofcourse give them to me for a refresher!

 

For an easy at home clean of your silver pieces, here is a short tutorial:

  1. Line a heat proof bowl with aluminium foil. shiny side up
  2. Mix boiling water with some salt and baking soda you can also add white vinegar
  3. Put your silver pieces, making sure they are all touching the foil. Wrap your silver in the foil. Careful to not burn your fingers.
  4. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.
  5. Rinse your silver pieces under clean water and dry them with a soft cloth

If they need more of a thorough clean, you can also brush your silver with a paste made out of water dishwashing liquid and baking soda beforhand

Be careful not to soak your jewellery if they have gems or pearls. They can be damaged by the vinegar.

With stones:

If you have jewellery with stones - especially soft ones like turquoise or pearls you must be careful not to scratch or soak them

  1. Mix some water with dishwashing liquid.
  2. Brush the piece gently with a soft bristle toothbrush
  3. Rinse and dry well
  4. Use a silver polishing pad (I have them on stock if needed)

Material

My go-to materials of choice are 925 sterling silver or 375 gold.

Sterling silver is made out of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper and 9k gold is 37.5 pure gold and the rest is an alloy of different metals. All scraps of metal are collected and melted down to be remade into new magical creations.