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How to Care for Your Sterling Silver Jewelry

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW JEWELRY!

At Roma Designer Jewelry we pride ourselves on the unique and timeless sterling silver jewelry that we create in partnership with artisans and designers from around the world.  Our jewelry pieces are designed and manufactured to set the standard for quality in the industry, but even the finest sterling silver jewelry will lose its luster if not properly cared for. It is critical that you properly care for your new purchase to keep it looking as beautiful as it is today. Proper sterling silver jewelry care includes being aware of how you wear it, store it, and clean it. But first, let's learn about sterling silver.

 

WHAT IS GENUINE STERLING SILVER?

Genuine sterling silver jewelry is subject to stringent international standards in material quality and manufacturing procedures.

STERLING SILVER

Pure silver (also called fine silver) is soft, very malleable, and easily damaged. For use in jewelry, it is combined with other metals to produce a more durable product. The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Centuries of experimentation by silversmiths have shown copper to be the best companion metal as it improves the silver's hardness and durability without affecting its beautiful color. The small amount of copper added to silver has very little effect on the metal's value. Interestingly, the price of sterling silver jewelry is influenced most by the labor involved in making the item, the skill of the craftsperson, and the intricacy of the design.

QUALITY STAMPS

Roma Designer Jewelry pieces are stamped with a quality mark. This stamp indicates the precious metal content of the jewelry. Quality stamps are sometimes located in plain sight on tags or clasps. Other times artisans will hide them in design or even under moving pieces. Quality stamps might include:
  • sterling
  • sterling silver
  • ster
  • .925
 

WHAT CAUSES TARNISHING?

Tarnishing (also known as oxidation) is a result of oxygen or sulfur coming into contact with sterling silver. Tarnished silver is duller and sometimes a dark color. All Roma Designer Jewelry is based in high-quality .925 Sterling Silver - and higher purity silver will tarnish more quickly. Some of our designs are intentionally oxidized to create depth in the filigree or to highlight certain details on a piece of jewelry.

 

STORING YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

Oxygen and moisture in the air will tarnish Sterling Silver Jewelry, so it's important to properly store your jewelry to help minimize the oxidation process. Here are a few storage tips:

  • Store in an area with low humidity (no bathroom storage).
  • Store each piece in an airtight (Ziploc) bag.
  • Place a packet of silica or piece of chalk in the storage bag.
  • Keep clasps/closures unhooked to avoid moisture buildup.

 

WEARING YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

Interesting fact: You can avoid tarnish by wearing your jewelry often! The natural oils in your skin will actually help protect and clean the silver. However, there are certain activities that can cause your jewelry to lose its luster quickly! You should remove your Sterling Silver jewelry before doing any of the following:

  • Working Out
  • Swimming
  • Showering
  • Cleaning
  • Sunbathing
  • Applying Hairspray or Hair Products
  • Putting on Lotion and Makeup

 

CLEANING YOUR STERLING SILVER JEWELRY

Even the best-cared-for jewelry will sometimes require cleaning. Polishing your sterling silver jewelry will typically be the best way to clean it. Be sure to do the following:

  • Use a special non-abrasive cloth to avoid scratching.
  • Move to a new section of the cloth regularly.
  • Avoid areas that are intentionally oxidized as part of the design.
  • Do not rub in a circular pattern -  follow the grain of the silver.

 

PROPER CARE IS THE KEY

With proper care, your Roma Designer Jewelry pieces should give you many years of pleasure and enjoyment - and even become family heirlooms.

Simple things - like paying attention to how you store, wear, and clean your sterling silver jewelry, can prolong its life dramatically. Remember to always store your jewelry in a dry and air-tight place. Wear your jewelry often, but be sure to remove it when showering, swimming, or working with certain chemicals or foods that contain sulfur. As a general rule, it’s always best to put on your jewelry last when getting dressed. Polishing your jewelry before it becomes too tarnished will minimize the amount of work needed, but be sure to use the right type of cloth and stroke pattern. These small and simple steps will help keep your sterling silver jewelry looking brilliant for years to come.