Jewellery Care


What is sterling silver 925?


As we know, pure Argentum is unsuitable for making any kind of object, be it jewellery, silverware or decorative solutions. The metal is too soft and too malleable to make practical and at the same time attractive pieces. For this reason, silver is complemented with various alloys - other metals - in order to strengthen its hardness. These impurities in the alloy, particularly copper, make the silver more durable and easier to work on, but without sacrificing colour.


Sterling silver refers to an alloy made of pure Argentum and a ligature (copper is more commonly used, less commonly nickel or zinc). Numerically, it is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% ligature. So, it turns out that this is sterling silver 925.

 

Plated jewellery 

We cannot influence natural processes. And blackening of metal is one of them. Unfortunately, no one can avoid it. Due to the use of copper as a ligature for silver, the oxidation process can be faster or slower, depending on the percentage of copper in the jewellery.

Also, creams and lotions, household chemicals and perspiration all contribute to the blackening of the metal. Therefore, any type of silver should be cleaned. And choose products that are safe for your silver. 

Do not think that the gilding will rub off as a result of contact with water. No, even when exposed to water for long periods of time, the jewellery will not lose its appearance and the plating will hold up perfectly. But you should still wash your hands without the rings so that the gilding does not rub off due to friction and hygiene products.

Silver plating will sooner or later rub off from mechanical damage, and prolonged wear and it is very scratch-resistant, which is why accessories should be stored in special boxes. The metal binds to the surface during the gilding process on a molecular level - this explains why abrasion is only possible from mechanical action.


In contact with substances containing sweat, the precious metal causes oxidation. This is why it is not advisable to wear jewellery during sports and during hormonal changes in the body. When cleaning the house, doing laundry or using cosmetic products, you should remove your accessories to avoid contact with corrosive substances. Unfortunately, we are unable to replace worn plated jewellery as this is not a manufacturing fault.

Adverse factors that reduce the lifespan of our jewellery  accessories include:

 

  •  chemistry;
  •  sweat and other secretions from the human body;
  •  high humidity;
  •  friction;
  •  sunlight;
  •  lack of care.
 

What you shouldn't clean silver with

Never wash with any abrasive agents. It is not advisable to use hard brushes and actively scrub the surface of the silver object, as you could easily scratch or micro-crack it.

How to extend the life of gold-plated silver

 

To keep your gold-plated jewellery looking as good as possible for as long as possible, follow these tips and take good care of it:

Take the jewellery off your body before going to the sauna, sauna or gym;

 

  • Avoid excessive rubbing;
  • Do not keep jewellery in cardboard boxes which give off sulphur;
  • avoid contact with household chemicals;
  • Remove rings when cleaning and wear gloves.

 

These tips will help ensure that your jewellery lasts a long time. Don't forget a proper storage system for gold-plated jewellery. A small jewellery box, lined with a soft cloth, is a good idea. If you don't have a lot of accessories, you can store them in small bags made from velvet.

Can the effect be increased?

 Heating the water temperature will produce better results. If the silver is heavily soiled and black deposits have been present for a very long time, try boiling the items in a baking soda solution for a while with foil on the bottom of the pan. But not longer than 10 minutes. And remember, many stones do not tolerate high temperatures, so this method is suitable for simple rings, necklaces and earrings, as well as for silverware.