One of the truest signs that the silver jewellery you have is real silver jewellery is that it tarnishes – that is, “blackens”. Whilst some silver jewellery is made that way – blackened – for dramatic effect, blackening or tarnishing is not actually something you want to have happen to your shiny silver jewellery.

Unfortunately, all silver jewellery will blacken, eventually. Blackening is a natural process that occurs in silver as a result of oxidation (as you’ll know, if you’ve ever been enlisted in polishing heirloom silver cutlery).  Do not be surprised if your silver jewellery tarnishes more readily in summer, as it is apt to because of the acidity in your sweat and the humidity in the air.  Some jewellery shops, like Magnolia, sell special cleaning cloths for polishing silver jewellery. A detergent for cleaning silver jewellery may also be found on the market.

• There are a few preventive steps you may take to keep your silver jewellery gleaming:
• Regularly rub your silver jewellery with the special cloth you’ve purchased at the jeweller’s.
• Shower with your silver jewellery on. Believe it or not, soapy running water keeps silver jewellery looking clean, and prevents it from blackening.
• However, swim without your silver jewellery.  Whether you prefer swimming laps in a pool or splashing around in the ocean, your silver jewellery is liable to suffer for your aqueous predilection. Both salt water and chlorine can damage silver.
• Keep your silver jewellery in a jewellery box, a closed drawer or a small cloth bag to keep it away from the air when you’re not wearing it. This will retard oxidation and has the added benefit of preventing scratching and denting.
• Keep your silver jewellery away from chemical substances. (Ladies, this is the perfect reason to insist that your man do the dishes.) Everything from dish-washing detergent  to hand creams, body lotions, and other regenerative unguents made to soften our skin are like the kiss of death for silver. When you learn that silver jewellery can easily be blackened in a cup of normal household bleach – you realize how susceptible your silver jewellery is.

In short, silver jewellery is meant to be an adornment, a talisman, an heirloom, an emblem of  a meaningful moment or person. It is not meant to be the source of yet another chore. So if you’ve re-discovered a long-forgotten piece of silver jewellery, inherited an aunt’s precious silver jewellery, found a fabulous bit of antique silver jewellery, or just let your own silver jewellery go to seed – fear not.  Waltz into any of Magnolia’s sparkling branches: the helpful Magnolia Team will be glad to have your silver jewellery sent out for a professional cleaning, at a minimal cost.

Read more:

- Handmade Silver Necklaces

- Silver Jewellery for Men