Duskgild · The Register · Keep it well

Caring for Sterling Silver

Solid 925 sterling silver lasts a lifetime if you treat it kindly. Oxidized dark pieces and bright or gilded pieces want slightly different care — here is both.

First, the one rule: keep it dry

Water dulls silver fastest. Take pieces off before you shower, swim, wash up, or work out. A dry piece kept away from perfume and lotion stays bright far longer than one that gets splashed daily.

Oxidized dark pieces

Most of the dark register is oxidized — blackened in the recesses so the carving reads deep. Leave that dark alone. Polish only the raised, bright surfaces with a soft silver cloth; do not scrub the recesses or use a dip cleaner, which strips the oxidation and flattens the whole design. The finish is meant to deepen and settle with wear — that is the piece ageing well, not tarnishing.

Polished and gilded pieces

Bright silver and the gold- or rose-gold-plated pieces want a gentle touch. A soft jewelry cloth brings back the shine. On plated pieces, skip abrasive polishes and dip cleaners entirely — they wear the finish thin over time. Just wipe, keep dry, and store carefully.

Storing it

Keep pieces apart so they do not scratch each other — a pouch or a lined box, ideally with an anti-tarnish strip. Air and moisture are what tarnish silver, so a closed box beats an open dish. If a piece will sit unworn for months, a small sealed bag slows tarnish to a crawl.

If it does tarnish

Light tarnish on bright silver wipes off with a proper silver cloth. Heavier tarnish on a polished piece can take a gentle silver polish — but never on an oxidized piece, and never a dip cleaner on anything plated. A cloth and a light hand beat a harsh chemical every time.

Lab-created stones  ·  An oxidized piece — the Bramble cuff  ·  A gilded piece — Sanguine  ·  Read the FAQ  ·  All designs