The first steps to caring for silver rings and gold rings is to protect them from begin scratched, dented, chemically damaged or warped from extreme hot and cold. People should store their handmade rings separately and remove them when doing things like gardening and cleaning. A handmade gold ring should also not be worn when swimming, hot-tubbing or bathing, especially when there is chlorine in the water. Silver rings and gold rings should also not be stored near heating vents, window sills or anywhere extreme heat and sun will catch them.

The best place to store a handmade gold ring or silver ring is in a re-sealable plastic bag or jewelry bags with a silica-gel sachet, as this will prevent tarnishing. Owners should also try to wipe down their handmade rings after wearing them to remove dirt and skin oils. Gold and silver rings can also be washed in warm soapy water providing they are dried carefully before storage. Then they should be rinsed carefully and patted dry with a soft non-abrasive cloth.

Handmade rings of silver and gold should generally be cared for very gently and carefully. Commercial silver and gold cleaners should only be used if any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner. Some handmade rings with gemstones that can’t be placed in commercial cleaners include those with pearls, lapis lazuli, malachite, opals, coral and turquoise.

A handmade gold ring or silver ring can also be cleaned using a solution made of ammonia and water. Owners should use a light solution of ammonia and water on a toothbrush or soft cloth and then rinse thoroughly with water. The same can be said about using this solution on handmade rings with gemstones; it should be used with caution. Tarnish can be prevented by storing gold and silver rings in re-sealable plastic bags together with a sachet of silica gel. This will absorb any moisture on a handmade gold ring or silver ring. Handmade rings containing pearls and opals, however, should not be stored in plastic bags.

With a little care and preventative maintenance, hand made rings of silver and gold should be able to last for generations. Even silver rings that aren’t worth a lot of money often have sentimental value in the family, and they should be treated accordingly. The same can be said about a handmade gold ring that has been passed down for generations; it should be cared for so many more generations can enjoy it.

If you own a stunning piece of silver jewelry, whether it’s a pendant or a pair of sterling silver earrings, the first step in making its beauty last is to store it well. Regular cleaning and proper storage can add decades to your sterling silver earrings.

Store sterling silver earrings in plastic bags to avoid oxidation. Silver becomes black when it is exposed to air. This is due to the process of oxidation. When you store your silver jewelry in plastic, the air supply is cut off. Remove silver jewelry before washing your hands or having a bath.

Coating: Many jewelers recommend dipping sterling silver earrings to remove the black color of oxidized silver and bring back its sheen. But, dipping is not recommended because even the most careful hand can and will leave microscopic humps and bumps on the jewelry. A number of dips can seriously alter the shape and character of your jewelry.

Cloth: In most jewelry shops, you will get what is called the Sunshine Polishing Cloth. This is a soft cloth that can be used to clean both gold and silver jewelry. The cloth becomes black as you use it, but you can continue to use the cloth for a while. This cloth contains a number of chemical cleaners. If your sterling silver earrings lose their sheen, simply wipe the jewelry with this cloth.

Cleaning: Do not use water or soap to clean sterling silver earrings. Instead, clean silver jewelry with baking soda. Since you do not want to handle or inhale the powder directly, an easy way is to drop the sterling silver earrings into a plastic bag that contains baking powder and squish the bag so that the powder is rubbing against the jewelry. Any powder stuck to the crevices in the jewelry may be taken out using a toothbrush. You may rinse the jewelry with water and then use the toothbrush with a light hand. Rinse well and dry with a paper towel immediately.

Alternatively, you can also use a tarnish remover to clean silver jewelry. But make sure that the tarnish remover does not come into contact with pearls or opals. Or, use a tarnish remover that is safe for these.

In case your sterling silver earrings have a antique look and you feel you have polished it too bright, you can use a piece of steel wool to polish the places that need the matt look. Remember, this will leave tiny abrasive marks on the jewelry. Do not use steel wool on rhodium plated silver jewelry.

There! Now, you have no more excuse to wear silver jewelry that has gone black with age!