How to wear Silver Jewelry correctly

About Silver in Jewelry

Silver (Ag) is a white metal, very ductile, malleable, and soft enough to be cut with a knife. Silver is harder than gold but softer than copper. 

It polishes extremely well, has remarkable reflectivity, and is the most electrically and thermally conductive element. Thanks to its unique properties, this metal has a very wide range of applications: in photography, electronics, medicine, etc. But we'll focus on jewelry :)

Silver gained its greatest popularity in jewelry starting from the 17th century during the Baroque period.

For jewelry making, 925 sterling silver is typically used.

How to Wear Silver Jewelry

Let's consider some characteristics of silver that are useful to know if you wear silver jewelry or plan to purchase some:

Despite all its advantages and beauty, silver is a very soft metal. For example, if you have a delicate silver piece, it can be easily bent or even broken. 

A case from our practice: a customer brought in one of our rings for repair. It turned out the girl had applauded so enthusiastically at a concert that the ring became so deformed it was easier to make a new one. If the piece is delicate and thin, it's quite easy to damage - be careful.

In addition to being soft, silver also suffers from an irresistible attraction to chemical compounds :)

With time and use, a dark patina appears - a layer of sulfide. When exposed to oxygen, the metal reacts with hydrogen sulfide in a chemical process called silver oxidation. Other culprits include ozone in the atmosphere, acidic products, iodine, and acetone. 

However, if you wear a piece constantly and don't leave it "idle" in a jewelry box, it's less likely to develop these changes.  If silver jewelry darkens while being worn, it might also indicate changes in the wearer's health. According to folk beliefs, this signals kidney problems or endocrine disorders. When silver changes color, it's worth paying attention to your health! 

There's also a scientific explanation for why some people's silver jewelry tarnishes while others' doesn't. 

The reason lies in silver's contact with human sweat, which contains sulfates - salts of sulfuric acid that cause oxidation. 

If you frequently engage in physical activity but still want to wear, say, a silver chain without removing it, be prepared for frequent cleanings. 

Silver Jewelry Care

The best option for those who don't want to bother with frequent cleaning is rhodium plating. Applied to silver jewelry, it protects against all chemical reactions! Plus, rhodium is hypoallergenic.

How to Clean Silver Jewelry 

There are various silver cleaning products available today, but there's also a "folk method" suitable for jewelry NOT plated with rhodium - cleaning with ammonia (1 tablespoon per 0.5 liter of water), tooth powder, or baking soda. 

If your silver jewelry has rhodium plating, it's recommended to rinse the piece under warm running water and dry it with a special jewelry cloth (available at any jewelry store)

For heavy tarnish, you can pre-soak the jewelry in warm water with a bit of laundry soap. 

If nothing helps, it's best to take the piece to a professional! We're located in central Moscow, feel free to visit. :)