Silver Jewelry Care Guide
Keep your silver jewelry looking its best with gentle cleaning and thoughtful storage. For gemstone-set jewelry, the stone, setting and finish matter just as much as the silver.
Check your piece before cleaning
This is general care guidance, not approval of a cleaning method for every item.
For jewelry with stones, pearls, coral, shell, beads, adhesives or mixed materials, follow the most delicate component's requirements. Read our Gemstone Care Guide alongside this page. A sterling silver setting does not make the entire piece safe to soak, polish or machine-clean.
Understanding silver and tarnish
Sterling silver, often marked 925 or .925, contains 92.5% silver alloyed with other metals. Silver can develop a dull, yellow, brown or dark surface as it reacts with its environment. Tarnish alone does not establish that a piece is poor quality or that its metal was misidentified.
Not every dark area should be removed. Some jewelry has an intentionally oxidized or antiqued finish that highlights its design. Ask us if you are unsure whether dark detailing is intentional.
Everyday care
- Put jewelry on after applying perfume, lotion, cosmetics and hairspray.
- Remove it before swimming, hot tubs, bathing, household cleaning, gardening and exercise.
- Keep bleach, household cleaners and abrasive products away from your jewelry.
- After wear, gently wipe exposed silver with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid rubbing delicate stones or snagging prongs.
- Check for loose stones, bent prongs, damaged clasps or sharp edges. Stop wearing and cleaning a damaged piece until it has been assessed.
A gentle cleaning routine
For confirmed plain, uncoated sterling silver with no stones, adhesives or intentionally darkened finish, a little mild soap in lukewarm water can help remove everyday dirt. Clean gently with a soft cloth, rinse carefully in a bowl and dry thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use hot water or scrub aggressively.
For gemstone-set or mixed-material pieces, do not assume the same routine is suitable. Begin with a dry, soft cloth on accessible silver areas.
Can I use a silver polishing cloth?
A cloth specifically made for silver can help with light tarnish on suitable exposed sterling silver. Follow the cloth manufacturer's instructions, use light pressure and polish only as needed.
Treated polishing cloths contain polishing agents and may be mildly abrasive. Do not rub them over gemstones, pearls, coral, shell, plated or coated surfaces, or intentionally oxidized details unless their use has been confirmed appropriate. Use a plain soft cloth instead when you are unsure.
Silver dips and home remedies
Do not use silver dips or commercial tarnish removers on gemstone-set jewelry. A product labeled for silver is not necessarily suitable for its stones, adhesives or finish.
We do not recommend toothpaste, abrasive powders, vigorous baking-soda scrubbing, or foil-and-hot-water treatments for our mixed-material jewelry. These are not a substitute for checking the individual piece's care needs. Avoid experimenting with acidic or household cleaning mixtures.
If tarnish is heavy or difficult to reach, seek a qualified jeweler about professional cleaning rather than polishing harder.
Ultrasonic and steam cleaners
Do not assume silver jewelry is safe in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Gemstone inclusions, treatments, assembled materials, adhesives and the condition of the setting can change the advice. When necessary, a jeweler should inspect the piece first.
Storage that helps
Store pieces separately in soft pouches or compartments so they do not rub against one another. Keep silver away from damp bathrooms and household chemicals. Anti-tarnish paper or strips, used according to their instructions, can help delay tarnishing.
For plain silver, a suitable closed storage bag or container can reduce exposure to the environment. Do not automatically use the same sealed or moisture-absorbing storage method for every gemstone-set item. Pearls, opals and other sensitive materials may have different storage needs. Follow the stone-specific guidance and ask us if you are unsure.
Make sure an item is dry before putting it away, but do not use heat to dry jewelry.
Plated, coated and intentionally oxidized silver
These finishes need their own instructions. Polishing or tarnish-removing chemicals can alter a decorative finish or wear a coating. Use a plain soft cloth as a starting point and ask us before using a treated cloth, dip or polish. This section explains finish types generally; it does not mean a particular product has one.
For care by stone family, see our Gemstone Care Guide.
