Sterling silver, like other
precious metals, can oxidize with time. But properly maintained silver
jewelry improves with age and develops a lush patina. Treat your silver
well, care for it properly and it will reward you with a long life and a
lustrous look.
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Clean your silver jewelry with a mild soap
and water solution allowing the water to bead up, and then patting dry
with a soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt, use a jewelry cleaner
designed for silver use. Ask your jeweler to recommend an
appropriate brand.
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Store your silver in a cool, dry place,
preferably in a tarnish-preventive bag or wrapped in a soft piece of felt
or cloth. Store pieces individually so that they don't knock
together and scratch.
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Do not rub silver with anything other than a
polishing cloth or a fine piece of felt. Your jeweler should be able
to provide these. Tissue paper or paper towels can cause scratches
because of the fibers in these products.
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Make sure your silver is not exposed to air
and light during storage - this can cause silver to tarnish. And
don't wear sterling silver in chlorinated water or when working with
household chemicals.
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