How to clean silver with stones at home?

You can quickly and effectively clean silver jewelry with stones by using the services of a jewelry master or by purchasing a multi-component cleaning agent for fabulous money. However, this option is not suitable for every owner of silver jewelry. But if you try proven methods of cleaning this metal at home, almost any woman can remove blackness from silver and restore its former brilliance to it.

There is a belief that the reason for the darkening of silver with or without inserts lies in a serious illness of the owner of the jewelry or induced damage. In such situations, superstitious people prefer to turn to sorcerers and grandmothers. In fact, there is a scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

Due to the chemical oxidation reaction a blue-green coating forms on silver. When silver comes into contact with sulfur (and it is contained in the form of amino acids even in human sweat), black sulfide is formed.

In silver jewelry, the proportion of metal is a maximum of 92%. The remaining 8% is copper, platinum, gold, zinc. It is thanks to them that products acquire strength, since silver is by its nature a fairly soft metal.But if there is not enough of it in the decoration, darkening will occur faster.

Often, rhodium film is applied to silver jewelry to protect the piece from the oxidation process. Such protection is enough for only a few years, then it wears out and the silver darkens. In addition, rhodium is quite fragile in operation, subject to mechanical damage, so after a while the jewelry loses its former attractiveness.

Another reason for the darkening of silver things - manufacturer dishonesty. They add less metal than necessary to the products, so the jewelry quickly loses its luster.

Silver tarnishes from interaction with moisture, so products made of this metal must be removed before going to the pool and swimming in the lake, taking a shower, wet cleaning the room, washing dishes.

Before you start cleaning jewelry, you need to remove grease, dust, dirt from them. For this procedure, you will need toilet soap (regular or in liquid form), dishwashing gel diluted with water, shampoo.

In order for silver jewelry with pebbles to shine like from a store, you must use a 10% solution of ammonia. Immerse silver in it for 15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with cool water and pat dry with a soft cloth.If you do not want to soak the jewelry, take a woolen cloth, moisten it with alcohol and wipe the product. This method is not recommended for products with pearls, as stones can change their original color.

It is possible to make a solution ammonia, peroxide and soap (in liquid form). Mix all the ingredients well and immerse silver there. Soaking time depends on the degree of soiling. Then the products are washed and wiped well with a soft cloth.

At home, you can clean silver with baking soda. You will need two tablespoons of the substance per 500 ml of water. After the solution boils, lower the foil paper and decorations there. The result will be noticeable after a short period of time.

There is another soda-based cleaning method. You need to take a liter of water, a tablespoon of baking soda, table salt and dishwashing gel. Mix everything well. Immerse silver jewelry in the resulting solution and boil for half an hour.

To give the decoration its former attractiveness, use slurry of baking soda and water. It is applied to the product and gently rubbed to a shine with a soft cloth or a piece of bandage. Hard-to-reach places can be cleaned with an old toothbrush.

Citric acid will help to quickly remove blackness from silver. Take 100 g of acid in 2 cups of water. Put on fire, lower copper wire into the solution, then silver jewelry. Boil 30 minutes. Rinse the products under running water, blot with a dry soft cloth.

For silver items that have not suffered much from a dark coating, you can use potato broth. A piece of foil and jewelry is immersed in it for 5 minutes. If there is no time to boil potatoes, you can grate a raw vegetable.

Has good cleansing properties boiled egg liquid. It must be cooled and immersed in silver jewelry. The dark layer will disappear.

Table vinegar will help to effectively remove dirt from products. Heat a small amount of vinegar and dip silver there. Wait 15 minutes. If during this time the entire plaque has not completely disappeared, then the jewelry is washed with water and lightly wiped with a cotton towel.

Toothpaste has established itself as an effective means of cleaning silver products. However, it is only suitable for jewelry with a smooth surface. If the jewelry has precious inserts, graceful patterns, they may suffer from mechanical cleaning (wear off, scratch).

For jewelry with semi-precious inserts, it is best to use ammonia. Dissolve 6 drops of the substance in 250 ml of water, wet a sponge or cloth, clean the product. This cleaning method is not acceptable for products with pearls.

So that silver does not have to be cleaned regularly, you need to know how to care for it and store it properly. Silver items should be kept in a dry place, in a box or bag. The ideal option would be to store all the jewelry separately. Rarely used models must be placed in foil paper, then moisture will not get on them and the oxidation process will not occur.

When doing chores around the house, all silver jewelry from hands (rings, bracelets) must be removed. They are adversely affected by moisture, household gas, cosmetics (hand cream), interaction with food (onions, egg yolks).

In order for silver products to retain their brilliance and beauty, you need to take care of them.

For information on how to properly clean silver with stones, see the following video.