Written by Jody Mansour | Founder & Jewellery Designer, Jody 925 Jewellery
Sterling silver jewellery is loved for its timeless beauty, versatility and beautiful reflective finish. Whether it’s a delicate gemstone ring, a handcrafted pendant or a statement piece, a little care can help preserve its appearance for years to come.
At Jody 925 Jewellery, I create jewellery using traditional silversmithing techniques, working with precious metals and carefully selected gemstones.
I believe that caring for your jewellery is just as important as choosing a piece you love.
Here are my practical tips for keeping your sterling silver jewellery looking its best.
Understanding Sterling Silver
Sterling silver, also known as 925 silver, contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper.
Pure silver is relatively soft, so combining it with other metals makes sterling silver more suitable for jewellery that can be worn regularly.
Over time, sterling silver can naturally tarnish as it reacts with sulphur-containing substances in the environment.
Tarnishing is normal and does not mean your jewellery is poor quality.
With appropriate care, most surface tarnish can be gently removed.
1. Store Your Jewellery Carefully
How you store your jewellery can make a significant difference to its appearance.
When you’re not wearing your jewellery, keep it in a clean, dry place, ideally inside a soft jewellery pouch or a lined jewellery box.
Storing pieces separately helps prevent scratching and reduces the risk of chains becoming tangled.
For sterling silver, an airtight jewellery storage bag can also help slow down tarnishing.
Avoid leaving your jewellery exposed to moisture or humid environments, such as bathrooms.
2. Avoid Contact with Chemicals
Everyday products can affect the appearance of sterling silver and certain gemstones.
Perfumes, hairsprays, lotions, household cleaning products and chlorine can all cause unwanted changes to jewellery surfaces.
I recommend putting your jewellery on after applying cosmetics, perfume and skincare products.
Remove your jewellery before swimming, cleaning or using household chemicals.
This is particularly important for gemstone jewellery, as some stones are more sensitive to chemicals than others.
3. Clean Your Sterling Silver Gently
Regular gentle cleaning helps maintain the beautiful finish of your jewellery.
For plain, unplated sterling silver, use a soft silver-polishing cloth to remove light tarnish and restore shine.
For suitable pieces, a gentle wash using lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap may help remove everyday dirt.
Use a soft cloth to clean the jewellery and dry it thoroughly afterwards.
Avoid abrasive cleaning products, harsh chemicals and rough brushes, which can scratch the surface.
Jewellery with gemstones, plating, patina or delicate finishes may require a different cleaning method.
4. Take Extra Care with Gemstones
Natural gemstones are beautiful because of their individual colours, patterns and characteristics.
However, different gemstones have different levels of hardness, durability and sensitivity.
For example, opals can be particularly vulnerable to knocks, sudden temperature changes and inappropriate cleaning methods.
Other gemstones may be sensitive to moisture, heat or chemicals.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning unless a qualified professional has confirmed that the specific gemstone and jewellery construction are suitable.
For gemstone jewellery, gentle cleaning with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth is often the safest starting point, provided the gemstone itself is suitable for that method.
Never soak a gemstone piece without first checking the appropriate care requirements for that particular stone.
5. Remove Jewellery During Certain Activities
Although sterling silver jewellery is made to be enjoyed, some activities can increase the risk of damage.
I recommend removing rings and other delicate jewellery before gardening, exercising, lifting heavy objects or carrying out activities involving repeated impact.
This helps protect the metal from scratches and reduces the risk of loosening or damaging gemstone settings.
Even a securely set gemstone can become vulnerable after an accidental knock.
6. Protect Gold-Plated Jewellery
Some jewellery designs combine sterling silver with gold-plated details.
Gold plating is a surface finish and may gradually wear with use.
To help preserve the plating, avoid rubbing the surface with abrasive polishing cloths or using traditional silver-cleaning dips.
Instead, gently wipe the jewellery with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
Keep gold-plated pieces away from perfume, moisture and harsh chemicals wherever possible.
Extra care can help maintain the appearance of the gold finish for longer.
7. Check Your Jewellery Regularly
It’s worth taking a few moments to inspect your jewellery from time to time.
Check that gemstones appear secure, clasps close correctly and chains show no signs of damage.
If a gemstone feels loose or a setting appears damaged, stop wearing the piece until it has been professionally examined.
Early attention can help prevent more serious damage or the loss of a gemstone.
Jewellery Made to Be Treasured
For me, handmade jewellery is about more than precious metal and gemstones.
Each piece represents creativity, craftsmanship and the time invested in bringing a design to life.
Whether you own a simple sterling silver ring or a distinctive gemstone design, caring for your jewellery allows you to continue enjoying its beauty.
At Jody 925 Jewellery, I hope every piece becomes something meaningful that you’ll enjoy wearing and treasuring.
With a little attention and the right care, your jewellery can remain a beautiful part of your collection for years to come.
Love it, wear it, treasure it.
Explore the handcrafted sterling silver and gemstone jewellery collection at Jody 925 Jewellery, thoughtfully designed and made in London.