How to Clean Sterling Silver Rings

If you love class and sophistication, sterling silver rings is your go to choice. They're hip, elegant, and laid-back and fit all occasions from casual to formal. But if you've been wearing a sterling silver ring for some time now, you must have discovered something frustrating, it is tarnishing and darkening in some areas after a while. It's a common flaw, and it happens to all sterling silver jewelry.

Initially, you would be a bit annoyed. You would be thinking if your ring is damaged or professional cleaning is something you need to do in order to fix it. The good news is that the tarnish is reversible, and your silver ring is not damaged. With the proper cleaning routine, you would have it as good as new again and looking like it is brand-new.

Here we will tell you why silver rings for women tarnish, how to simply clean it at home, and more importantly, how to avoid its happening again in the future. If your ring is slightly dulled or darkened entirely, this guide will have you up and running with its shine in just minutes.

Why Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?

You already know the difference between pure silver and sterling silver rings. To make handy jewelry that can be used on a daily basis, pure silver is mixed with a small proportion of other metals because pure silver alone is too delicate to stay strong. So sterling silver is 92.5% of pure silver and 7.5% of other metals, which is usually copper or nickel. Now it is this 7.5% that reacts with air once it is exposed and eventually tarnishes. The other metal reaction with air forms a dark patina or tarnish that causes your jewelry to appear old and ugly.

Tarnish is the natural process which will happen to all sterling silver jewelry. Your rings will simply tarnish quicker than another person's rings, though. And the reason is that there are a couple of things that determine how quickly your silver will tarnish.

The whole process happens because of humidity and moisture. If it is quite humid a place you wear your silver ring to, there are higher chances that it will tarnish as humidity in the air increases the oxidation process. Apart from this, there are chemicals like sulfur and pollutants in most household products like perfumes, cosmetics, etc, that leads to faster tarnishing. Even your sweat oils can darken silver over time.

Having your silver ring on while washing hands, showering, or going for a swim in chlorinated pools can similarly cause your ring to tarnish earlier. High-mineral hard water also tends to stain your ring and leave it cloudy rather than shiny. What not to stain your silver with is something you should know about, however, because once you get a glimpse of what not to do, then you can maintain your silver jewelry and be able to have it look stunning for decades to come.

How to Clean a Sterling Silver Ring at Home

Cleaning your silver ring at your house itself is easier than you might have thought. No cleaning solutions and expensive equipment are required, you can probably manage with using items you already have in your kitchen. Depending on the amount of tarnish on your ring, you should be able to clean it using one of several different techniques.

Cleaning with Soap and Water (For Mild Tarnish)

If your ring is not black but rather dull then a soap and water clean will be fine. This is best used for a light clean so your silver jewelry remains in good condition.

You can fill your basin with warm water and a few drop of dishwash. You can also take a bowl if you do not prefer a basin. Soak your silver ring in the mixture for around 10-15 minutes. This will help the surface grime and oils that are held within to come out.

Following soaking, gently wipe the ring on engravings or fine details where the dirt would likely adhere with a soft-bristled toothbrush or microfiber cloth. Wash the ring in warm water to remove soap and dry on a soft cloth. Dry the ring thoroughly so it does not form water spots.

Cleaning with Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil (For Moderate Tarnish)

If your ring is tarnished and dark, then this is the process for you. It's a chemical process that will remove the tarnish without scrubbing and therefore ideal for sensitive work or patterned work.

First, line a small bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up. Put your silver ring in the bowl and cover with a tablespoon of baking soda. Fill the bowl with hot water to the top of the ring. Bubbles will form as the tarnish comes off the silver and onto the foil.

Submerge the ring in solution for 5-10 minutes and gently remove the ring slowly and carefully. Rinse cold water and air dry on a soft surface. Voila. Amazing, shiny sparkling cleaned silver rings without exposing the ring to corrosive chemicals and over-cleaning.

Cleaning with Vinegar and Baking Soda (Heavy Tarnish)

If your sterling silver ring is almost black and other methods don't work, then vinegar and baking soda are the answer. Take one half cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl. Note: ingredients will fizz as they react. Soak the ring in solution and leave to stand for two or three hours. Remove the ring after sitting time, wash gently under cold running water, and dry well. Suitable for rings which have never had their insides cleaned and should be properly cleaned.

But if your ring features soft gemstones such as pearls, opals, or turquoise, do not use this technique since vinegar is too strong for these stones.

How to Keep Your Sterling Silver Ring Shiny for Longer

Storage is the key to keeping silver jewelry in the finest possible state. Place your ring, not on your finger, but in an anti-tarnish lined jewelry case or airtight plastic case. Don't leave silver jewelry out for over a few hours because that will lead to oxidation to build up. Silica gel packets may even be placed in your jewelry box to suck up moisture and prevent tarnish from happening.

Wearing your plain silver ring actually protects it from tarnish. Your own body oils on your skin create a layer which acts as a buffer of oxidization to the silver. Avoid being careless though, if you wear it. Always remove your silver ring after every time that you swim, shower, wash, or perfume and lotion-up because chemical and water exposure cause tarnish to form more rapidly.

To make it glow, wash your ring after every use with a soft cloth to prevent oils or residue from building up. On a daily basis, soft polishing with a silver polishing cloth on a monthly basis will also make it glow. Washing and storing your sterling silver ring on a regular basis will make your ring glow and look great for years to come.

Sterling silver rings for women are beautiful, but do require a bit of maintenance to make them as shiny as you can get them. Tarnish is a natural process, but reversible. It is simple with simple do-it-yourself remedies like soap and water, foil and baking soda, or baking soda and vinegar to just brush off tarnish and have your ring shining in seconds.

Above all else, using the minimum amount of prevention methods, such as taking your jewelry out and putting it back in its healthiest form, avoiding severe chemicals, and polishing clear your ring at pace on a frequent basis, will leave you adoring your silver work without frustration at perpetual tarnishing.

Take care of your sterling silver ring and your gem is a family treasure for life. Take care of your ring and it will shine as brightly as the day you purchased it.