From our Hertfordshire workshop
How to keep sterling silver shiny
Sterling silver stays shiny when you wear it often, keep it away from water, perfume and creams, and store it dry in its box. When it does go dull, a silver polishing cloth brings the shine back in a couple of minutes. Below is why silver tarnishes, how to stop it, and how to clean it at home.
- 925 sterling silver
- Free polishing cloth
- Lifetime warranty
The short version
Key points
- Tarnish is normal. It doesn't mean your jewellery isn't real silver.
- Put your jewellery on last, after perfume, creams and hairspray.
- Take it off to shower, swim, exercise or clean.
- Store it dry, in its box, and out of the bathroom.
- Dull? Use a polishing cloth. Darker tarnish? Wash it first, then polish.
The two minute polish
- Rub gently with a silver polishing cloth
- Work along a chain, not across it
- Finish with a clean, soft cloth
- Don't wash the polishing cloth
If the cloth turns dark, it's working.
Why it happens
Why sterling silver tarnishes
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Pure silver is too soft to wear every day, and the copper makes it strong. The catch is that sterling silver reacts with sulphur in the air and with moisture, sweat, perfume and creams. That leaves a thin yellow, brown or black layer on the surface, which is tarnish.
Whatever you might read on social media, tarnish doesn't mean a piece is fake. Real sterling silver tarnishes. It sits on the surface and polishes off.
It happens faster in damp rooms, in warm weather and on pieces left in a drawer for months. Jewellery you wear often tends to stay brighter, because it gets rubbed clean as you wear it.
Everyday habits
How to stop silver tarnishing
How to clean silver jewellery
Cleaning it at home
If it's a little dull: polish it
Most of the time, a silver polishing cloth is all you need. Rub the piece gently and the shine comes back. In the workshop we use Town Talk silver polishing cloths. Our silver jewellery also comes with a small complimentary polishing cloth, so you can do the same at home.
If it's tarnished: wash it, then polish
- Add a drop of washing-up liquid to a bowl of warm water.
- Leave the piece in for a few minutes, then clean it gently with a soft toothbrush, around the charm and between the links of the chain.
- Rinse it in clean water.
- Dry it completely with a soft cloth.
- Finish with your polishing cloth.
Worth knowing
What not to use
- Toothpaste or bicarbonate of soda. Both are abrasive and leave fine scratches that make silver look duller over time.
- Bleach and household cleaners. They can discolour silver.
- Silver dips on detailed pieces. They work fast but are harsh, and can strip the darker finish in the recesses of a charm.
- Hard scrubbing. A soft toothbrush and a little patience do the job.
Being honest
When to send it to us
Polishing won't fix a broken chain, a stretched jump ring or a clasp that won't close. Our jewellery comes with a lifetime warranty: if a piece becomes faulty, we'll repair it, or replace it if a repair isn't possible.
Email us at info@myleelondon.com with a photo before you send anything back. Damage from chemicals or rough handling isn't covered, which is one more reason to take it off before the pool.
Not all silver
Gold-plated, enamel and steel
Not everything we sell is plain sterling silver, and these pieces need a gentler touch.
Questions we get asked
Good to know
Why is my 925 silver turning black?
That's tarnish that has built up over time. Wash it in warm soapy water, dry it, then use a polishing cloth. If it's turning black quickly, look at what it's touching: perfume, hand cream, chlorine and damp storage are the usual causes.
Does 925 sterling silver tarnish?
Yes. All sterling silver tarnishes in time, because of the 7.5% of other metals mixed in to make it strong. It isn't a fault, and it doesn't mean it isn't real silver.
Can you wear sterling silver in the shower?
Once won't harm it, but soap, shampoo and hard water leave a dull film, and damp speeds up tarnish. We'd take it off first.
How often should I polish my silver?
There's no set rule. Polish it when it starts to look dull. Pieces you wear every day often need it less than pieces left in a drawer.
Can I make tarnished silver shiny again?
Yes. Light tarnish comes off with a polishing cloth. For darker tarnish, wash it in warm soapy water with a soft toothbrush first, dry it well, then polish. If it still won't come up, email us a photo and we'll tell you what we'd do.
With love from Anna, Claire and the team
Mylee London, Hertfordshire Browse our jewellery
