Sterling Silver Care

 

Sterling silver is made of 92.5% silver, and 7.5% alloying metals like copper and zinc. This composition is an industry standard. The alloys help to strengthen the material to a suitable durability, for use in jewelry and other metalwork.

Over time, sterling silver will develop a patina. This is the natural result of its reaction with sulfates in the air and in the things you may touch. This process cannot be stopped. However, by knowing a little bit of chemistry, you can learn to slow or accelerate the process in alignment with your aesthetic preference.

So, if you would like to maintain or revert to a mirror finish and preserve the strikingly bright reflections, you should take note of the following:

• By simply wearing your silver jewelry often, the natural oils from your skin will coat the metal and slow the patina process.
• Remove your jewelry during activities that expose the metal to harsh chemicals, for example while cooking, cleaning, or swimming.
• When not wearing your jewelry, keep it stored in an airtight container or bag, ideally with the silver wrapped in dry, acid-free tissue paper.
• As soon as you notice a golden patina forming, wash the jewelry using warm water and household dish soap. Dry it, and clean with a polishing cloth.
• For a deeper clean, make use of electrochemistry by assembling some common household items like baking soda and aluminum foil. Check out this simple tutorial.

 

 

 

And if you would like to move through the colorful stages of a deepening patina (golden, red-brown, blue, then black), you should be aware that…

• The colorful patina that is characteristic of sterling silver is due to the formation of silver sulfide and copper sulfide. 
• The color of the patina depends on the depth of the silver sulfide layer, which thickens with prolonged exposure to sulfates. 
• Hard boiled eggs can be used as a sulfate source to develop varying degrees of patina on your jewelry.
• The Canadian Conservation Institute provides further information on the chemistry of this process.
• Accelerating the patina process is also called “antiquing” and this video provides four methods for doing so.

Finally, a combined approach can be used, where recessed areas develop a patina, and raised areas are polished. This produces a dramatic contrast of light and dark, calling attention to areas of the design that differ in height and texture.

 

Whichever option you chose, if you want to seal in and protect the look you arrive at, you can use a micro-crystalline wax polish to do so.