Looking after jewellery isn’t difficult — it just takes a little care and a few simple habits to keep each piece as beautiful as the day it arrived.

What is sterling silver?

Most of my Ice Skating Jewellery is made from sterling silver (unless otherwise noted as solid gold). Sterling silver is an alloy made from 92.5% pure silver, combined with 7.5% pure copper — this small addition strengthens the metal, making it perfect for delicate, wearable designs like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

And for peace of mind — no, sterling silver doesn’t contain nickel.

1. Remove jewellery before applying beauty products

Silver reacts with many everyday products, which can dull its shine. Hand cream, moisturiser, deodorant, perfume, hairspray, and household cleaning products all contribute to tarnishing. To keep your jewellery looking its best, always remove it before applying any of these.

2. Store it well

When you’re not wearing your jewellery, keep it dry and wrapped in acid-free tissue — just as it's packaged when it arrives. This protects it from the air and helps maintain its shine.

A jewellery box with separate compartments is ideal. Leaving pieces out on a bedside table or storing them in open air can cause silver to dull quickly. Avoid satin or cotton drawstring bags too — they may look pretty, but they won’t prevent tarnish.

3. Avoid wearing silver in water

This one’s important: don’t wear silver jewellery in pools, hot tubs, hot springs or the sea. The chemicals and salt in these environments will quickly tarnish silver, often turning it black.

Restoring pieces after heavy tarnishing is best left to a professional jeweller.

4. Use a specialist polishing cloth

A soft silver polishing cloth is a simple way to revive shine. These cloths are made from 100% cotton and impregnated with anti-tarnish solution to help your jewellery stay cleaner for longer.

Give your jewellery a gentle rub from time to time to keep it bright.

5. Skip the DIY hacks

There’s no shortage of online silver-cleaning ‘hacks’, from ketchup and hand sanitiser to toothpaste and gin. Unfortunately, these can do more harm than good.

One method to approach with caution is the baking soda and foil trick — while it can lift tarnish, leaving jewellery in the solution too long may cause fine pitting in the surface, which encourages further tarnishing over time.

6. Gentle cleaning goes a long way

For regular upkeep, a simple soak in warm water with a little washing-up liquid is often enough. Use a soft toothbrush to gently clean hard-to-reach places — an electric toothbrush with an old head works well too. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with a soft cloth or silver polishing cloth.

You can also use specialist silver dip or foaming silver polish, but always rinse thoroughly and ensure your jewellery is fully dry before storing.

In summary – six simple ways to care for your silver jewellery:

1. Remove before applying products: Always take your jewellery off before using hand cream, moisturiser, perfume or deodorant to avoid dullness and tarnishing.
2. Store it properly: Keep jewellery dry and wrapped in acid-free tissue, ideally in a compartmentalised box, to minimise exposure to air and moisture.
3. Avoid water and chemicals: Never wear silver jewellery in swimming pools, hot tubs, or the sea — chlorine and saltwater will quickly blacken the metal.
4. Use a silver polishing cloth: Gently rub with a specialist cloth now and then to maintain shine and prevent tarnish build-up.
5. Ignore the DIY hacks: Household remedies like ketchup or toothpaste can damage silver. It's best to avoid them altogether.
6. Clean gently with soap and water: A warm, soapy soak and a soft brush are usually all that’s needed. Rinse well, dry thoroughly, and buff to finish.

*Please note: These tips apply to sterling silver jewellery. Oxidised or gold jewellery requires different care — click here to learn more.

• Mini silver polishing cloths are available for regular upkeep.
• The Petite Zipped Jewellery Box is perfect for protecting your jewellery on the go — whether you're heading to the rink, gym, or travelling.
• If your jewellery needs extra care, I offer a professional re-polishing and restoration service. Get in touch to find out more.