Silver Jewellery Care
Arvada jewellery is handmade in 925 sterling silver. Silver is a soft metal that reacts with air and skin, so light scratches and slow darkening are natural — not flaws. This guide shows how to look after your pieces, and most other jewellery you own.
Three everyday habits
These basics apply to all jewellery, whatever it is made of.
Wear
- Put it on last, take it off first — after lotion, perfume and hairspray.
- Take it off for sleep, showers, swimming, the sea, sport and housework.
- Wear silver often — regular wear keeps its shine.
Store
- Cool, dry place, away from sunlight and heat — not the bathroom.
- Each piece separately in a box, soft pouch or closed container.
- Keep chains fastened and laid straight so they don’t tangle.
Wipe
- A soft, dry cotton or microfibre cloth before you put it away.
- It removes skin oils and slows tarnish.
- No paper towels or tissues — they scratch.
How to clean silver jewellery
Arvada jewellery is 925 sterling silver. The other options cover details and jewellery you may already own.
Sterling silver
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, alloyed with copper for strength. It slowly darkens through contact with air and skin. This is natural and can always be reversed.
Every day
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
- Wear it often — regular wear keeps the surface bright.
Cleaning
- Mix a little mild soap into warm, not hot, water.
- Let the piece rest in the water for a few minutes.
- Clean gently with your fingers or a soft cloth.
- Rinse in clean water.
- Dry thoroughly, especially clasps and joints.
Toothpaste, baking soda and paper towels scratch silver. If a piece stays dark after cleaning, ask a jeweller rather than using stronger products.
Oxidised silver
The dark areas are created on purpose and are part of the design. The aim is to keep them — not to polish them away.
Every day
- Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth, mainly on the raised, polished areas.
- Store separately so the dark surface does not rub against other pieces.
Cleaning
- Do not soak, and keep soap away from the dark areas.
- No silver polish or polishing cloths on the blackened parts — they remove the finish.
The dark finish softens slowly with wear. A jeweller can renew it.
Silver with stones
Stones can chip on hard surfaces and settings can loosen over time. Some stones do not tolerate water or soap.
Every day
- Take the piece off for sport, housework and gardening.
- Avoid knocks against hard surfaces.
Cleaning
- Wipe the metal and the stone with a clean, damp cloth.
- Dry with a soft, dry cloth.
- Do not soak. Leave the underside of the setting to a jeweller.
Have stone-set pieces checked once a year. Never bend or resize a stone-set ring yourself.
Silver with pearls
Pearls are soft and absorb what touches them: perfume, lotion and soap dull their lustre.
Every day
- Put pearl pieces on last, after perfume and cosmetics.
- Wear them often — natural skin oils help keep their glow.
Cleaning
- Wipe the pearls with a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water — no soap.
- Let them dry flat on a clean towel.
- Clean the silver parts with a dry cloth only.
Store pearls separately so harder pieces cannot scratch them.
Plated silver
Plating is a thin layer on top of the silver. It wears gradually, especially where it touches skin or hard surfaces. That is normal.
Every day
- Keep it away from perfume, lotion, hand sanitiser and water.
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wearing.
Cleaning
- Soft, dry cloth only — no water, no soap, no rubbing.
- No silver polish or polishing cloths: they remove the plating.
Worn plating can be renewed by a jeweller.
Four things silver doesn’t like
Chlorine & salt water
Take it off before pools, hot tubs and the sea.
Perfume & cosmetics
Lotion, hairspray, oils and sanitiser dull the surface. Put jewellery on after them.
Chemicals & abrasives
Off for household cleaning. Never clean it with cleaning products, abrasives or paper.
Heat & hot water
Away from heat sources, hot water and sudden temperature changes.
When to ask us
Write to us if a piece has darkened a lot, is bent, a stone feels loose, the clasp doesn’t close properly or the plating has worn off. Not sure what your piece is made of? Send us a photo.