Every American West Jewelry collector knows the exciting feeling of unboxing a new accessory. Every collector also knows that Sterling Silver and gemstone jewelry needs to be well-cared for and gently handled. At AWJ, we design and craft each high-quality piece with the hopes of it becoming heirloom jewelry. To further our mission, we want to share information with our collectors on how to clean and store their Sterling Silver jewelry & gemstone treasures to ensure each piece lasts for a lifetime and generations beyond.
Q: What is 925 Sterling Silver and is it different from pure Silver?
Yes, 925 Sterling Silver and pure Silver are different! When people say pure Silver, they’re often imagining 100% Silver ~ but Silver rarely occurs naturally in this “pure form”, which would be too soft and malleable to craft jewelry with. On the other hand, 925 Sterling Silver is a metal alloy consisting of 92.5% Silver mixed with other metals. This makes Sterling Silver stronger and sturdier, meaning it can support gemstone cabochons when used in jewelry crafting. This is especially important for bold statement accessories that use large gemstones ~ commonly seen with Southwestern jewelry. All American West Jewelry pieces are made using Sterling Silver.
Q: What does tarnish mean? Does Sterling Silver tarnish and why?
Yes, all Sterling Silver jewelry can tarnish, even the most expensive and high-end pieces. Tarnish refers to the areas on Sterling Silver that appear to have a dark gray or black colored coating or patch. Tarnish occurs because of the natural metals in the Sterling Silver’s alloy mix having a chemical reaction with other elements all around us, such as:
- The oxygen we breathe
- The humidity in the air before a thunderstorm
- Everyday products like cosmetics, cleaning products, and hand sanitizer
- The sweat on our skin
It’s not possible to completely prevent tarnish, it’s a normal occurrence on Mother Earth. This shouldn’t stop you from enjoying Sterling Silver jewelry though! Tarnish can sometimes be seen as an appealing characteristic.
Q: How do I clean tarnish off my Sterling Silver jewelry?
If you want to slow down or minimize the amount of tarnish on your favorite pieces, we suggest using a polishing cloth meant for cleaning Sterling Silver jewelry. American West Jewelry offers our own branded polishing cloth for our collectors! Polishing cloths contain a soft layer infused with special cleaning agents that help to lift tarnish away and bring the shine back to your Sterling Silver. We recommend polishing your jewelry every few weeks to every few months ~ depending on how often you wear each piece, how often you wear perfume and lotion, and how hot of a climate you live in. Please be gentle while polishing your jewelry! Please also DO NOT dampen, submerge or saturate your Sterling Silver pieces with any water or other liquid substances. We recommend to ONLY use a polishing cloth. If you notice that your polishing cloth is dirty, we recommend purchasing a brand new one. It is not advisable to wash your polishing cloth since that dilutes the cleaning agents. Lastly, remember to polish only the Sterling Silver components of your pieces, NOT the gemstones themselves. If you want to give the gemstones a little shine, we recommend using a soft microfiber towel and gently wiping them.
Q: What else can I do to care for my Sterling Silver jewelry?
Here are some dos and don’ts from our experts:
Dos:
- Store your jewelry in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. We recommend using airtight jewelry boxes or containers, if you have them available.
- Use anti-tarnishing bags. They help to slow down tarnishing. All American West Jewelry pieces come with their own anti-tarnishing bags for your convenience!
- Consider putting silica gel packets inside of your jewelry containers. They help to absorb moisture and maintain a dry environment.
- Place each jewelry piece into your storage box neatly and separately. This prevents the pieces from scratching each other or tangling.
- Handle your jewelry with care by being gentle when cleaning and organizing.
- Clean every few weeks to every few months as you feel necessary.
Don’ts:
- Do not get your jewelry wet or try to clean it with liquid substances. This means leaving it at home when you go to the pool or beach. This also means keeping it away from other chemicals, such as cleaning or sanitizing products.
- Do not wear your jewelry while bathing or washing your hands.
- Do not wear your jewelry to exercise or perform other strenuous activities.
- Do not put perfume or lotion directly onto the jewelry. Always wait for your perfume and lotion to dry before accessorizing yourself!
- Do not drop, throw, or otherwise handle your jewelry roughly.
More about American West Jewelry by Carolyn Pollack
Here at American West Jewelry, we are proud to provide our collectors with beautiful and memorable jewelry that is meant to be loved for many generations. We take pride in using high-quality Sterling Silver and genuine gemstones approved by the GIA to craft our pieces. We also strive to provide excellent customer service for all our collectors. If you ever have questions about your jewelry pieces from us or how to best care for them, please contact us for assistance.
