Sterling silver jewelry is beautiful but keeping it shiny can be a hassle. Why does it tarnish? Sterling silver, which is used to make jewelry, is hallmarked .925, meaning that it is 92.5%  pure silver. Pure silver doesn’t tarnish but it is soft and pliable. To strengthen silver for forming jewelry, 0.075 parts of copper are alloyed into it. It’s the copper that tarnishes or oxidizes.

How can you keep it shiny? 

Here are three tips:

·      Clean: if the tarnish is dull and yellowish, use a jewelry cleaning cloth. The white, inside flannel is treated to remove tarnish. The outside lavender flannel is for the final polish.

·      Use tarnish remover: to remove heavy, blackened oxidation, immerse your piece in liquid silver tarnish remover. Rinse thoroughly, then wash with two drops of dish detergent. Rinse again and dry well, buffing with a soft cloth to restore the shine.

·      Store properly: the best way to prevent tarnish is it to block moisture and oxygen from getting to your pieces. Store them in airtight, zippered plastic bags, no larger than necessary. You can also toss in the moisture controlling packets that come with new shoes. Sterling silver jewelry that’s worn daily, like a ring, usually stays clean from constant washing and drying.

To see some sterling silver pieces, visit www.BrendaSmithJewelry.com.