How To Keep Sterling Silver Looking Beautiful

The addition of our beautiful new David Tishbi jewelry collection to Apples of Gold has introduced a new precious metal to our site: fine sterling silver. Before adding this line we offered our customers lovely gold, platinum and titanium jewelry, and we are very excited to now also offer handmade, solid sterling silver jewelry at fantastic prices.
Since sterling silver has become a part of our precious metal family, we have created a simple guide to keeping sterling silver looking beautiful and new. If you haven’t already, check out our article detailing the Top Four Ways to Keep Gold Looking Great; a must-read for gold jewelry lovers. Without further ado, here is our list of ways to keep sterling silver jewelry looking like new:
1. Regularly Clean Sterling Silver with a Mild Cleanser
To create a mild cleanser, mix one pump of a mild liquid soap with a cup of warm water. Allow your sterling silver jewelry to soak in the solution for a few minutes, then rinse off and polish with a soft cloth. Clean sterling silver gently using this method about once a month to keep tarnish at bay.
2. Sterling Silver Cleaning Methods to Avoid
Though some sites will advise scrubbing your sterling silver with a toothbrush and toothpaste, this can permanently dull and scratch your jewelry. Avoid using abrasives whenever possible to keep sterling silver’s smooth, shiny surface.
Though ultrasonic jewelry cleaners made for sterling silver are a great option for solid sterling silver (like David Tishbi’s solid sterling LOVE ring, shown at top), it should not be used with sterling silver jewelry that also has a gemstone.
Gemstone jewelry, like our lovely smoky quartz and sterling silver ring (seen at right), can be forever damaged in an ultrasonic cleaner. For sterling silver jewelry with gemstones, simply clean with a mild cleanser and a cloth, as discussed in Tip #1.
3. How to Prevent & Remove Tarnish on your Sterling Silver Jewelry
Jewelry tarnishes thanks to contact with air, and tarnish can build up quite a bit on jewelry that is rarely worn. First and foremost, you can prevent tarnish buildup by wearing your jewelry regularly and storing it in an airtight container or bag.

However, once your jewelry has tarnished it is necessary to clean it as soon as you notice the tarnish for best removal. Many hardware and grocery stores carry a paste specifically formulated to remove tarnish on sterling silver.
4. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Finally, keep your sterling silver jewelry looking great by avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals. Household cleaners, detergent, and even beauty products like hairspray and shampoo can deteriorate your silver jewelry. Remember to remove sterling silver items when swimming as well, since chlorine can permanently damage the beautiful shiny finish.
Now that you know how to take care of a fine piece of sterling silver jewelry, check out our brand new selection of modern, eclectic pieces from David Tishbi. His cutting edge designs include a mix of precious metals, namely sterling silver and solid gold. We love his triple knot sterling silver ring with solid 14k yellow gold accent (above left), as well as the beveled globe smoky quartz ring in sterling silver (at right).If you adore modern, stylish sterling silver jewelry, be sure to check out the other exciting pieces in his collection as well.
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