• Sterling silver jewelry should be stored in a cool dry place to reduce environmental damage.
• Consider keeping each piece in an individual cloth pouch to prevent scratching.
• Use a jewelry cleaner or polishing solution at least once a month to clean surface of silver jewelry to help maintain its luster.
• Use a soft cloth to clean silver; never use a toothbrush or other abrasive material that might result in scratching.
• Clean silver at first signs of tarnishing, when a yellowish tint appears on jewelry. If you wait until silver has turned black, you'll have to scrub harder and may damage shine on jewelry.
• Consider using chemical dipping agents which clean jewelry without scrubbing.
• Avoid cleaners that contain ammonia which can also turn silver jewelry black, consider soapy water instead.

Sterling silver is a popular item in part because it is more reflective than many precious metals. Proper care will ensure that silver jewelry remains beautiful for years to come. If you have other items in house made of silver, such as silver wear or other household items, always use a cleaner or dip specifically designed to clean silver metal. Never put these items in a dishwasher, because you will scratch surface and cause irreparable damage.

Purchasing Silver

When buying silver jewelry, you should be prepared to take your time to select quality pieces, just as you would if selecting a more expensive jewelry item. Young consumers are often attracted to sterling silver jewelry because it is so affordable and beautiful. Sterling silver also comes in many contemporary and modern designs which are appealing to young consumers.

So what should you look for when shopping? First and foremost always check interior for 925 mark, to ensure that you are purchasing premium sterling silver rather than sterling silver plating. Keep in mind that more pure silver, more soft and likely that a piece will scratch, so don't go for anything more pure than sterling silver.

If you are looking to buy many different pieces, you might consider buying wholesale silver jewelry online. By doing so you'll be able to buy in bulk, and acquire large amounts of silver jewelry at inexpensive prices. Many jewelers and home business owners get into habit of buying wholesale silver jewelry online because they can re-sell merchandise at a higher price. There are hundreds of pieces to choose from, and you might even find a collection with a certain theme that appeals to you or people you might be selling to.

Whey buying for yourself you should ensure you know what size jewelry you need if buying a ring. You might consider buying complete sets that include ring, bracelet and charm. Sets are very popular options for consumers purchasing sterling silver jewelry.

Silver is an exceptional choice for consumers looking for fine jewelry that is precious, attractive and inexpensive. From dawn of time, mankind has invested in silver for practical and aesthetic purposes. If you haven't already, I highly recommend investing in a little silver.

1. Thoroughly rub sterling with a good silver cleaner & toothpaste, on a clean dry cloth dipped in baking soda; use a clean soft toothbrush for holes and crevices. Finally, rinse well and lightly towel-dry.

2. One old fashioned method for quick-cleaning is to rub dry ashes over silver.

3. A more modern approach is to purchase a chemical cleaner, impregnated jewelry cloth; that you should store in a Ziploc bag and keep near your jewelry storage box so that you use it frequently.

For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here’s a neat little trick

1.)Cover inside bottom of a heat-proof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up. 2.)Place tarnished silver in bottom of dish, contacting aluminum foil. 3.)Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on aluminum foil. 4.)Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

Please note: This is a good time to mention that there is a difference between polishing and cleaning. To polish means to make your jewelry brighten with a glossy finish. A jewelry polish can be used for added brilliance after a thorough cleaning (follow directions on label.) A routine rubbing with a polishing cloth keeps your sterling silver jewelry looking great.

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