When buying silver jewellery, you might think pure silver is the best material. A "pure" metal sounds like the highest quality. And surely that means it hardly tarnishes? Unfortunately, that's not quite right.
Does 925 silver really tarnish?
Pure silver jewellery is high-quality and expensive. 925 silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, zinc or steel. That makes 925 silver harder and more durable than pure silver, which dents and scratches easily.
Pure silver oxidises quickly and turns black. The other metals in 925 silver protect it from that. So your jewellery only tarnishes slowly. And if it does, it's easy to clean.
925 silver is great for everyday wear
Washing your hands, showering, swimming: no problem with your 925 silver. If you spend a long time in the pool or the sea, chlorine or salt water may tarnish it slightly. The methods below clean these spots easily.
If your skin is very sensitive, you may react to the 7.5% of other metals in 925 silver. In that case, try an allergy-free material that won't cause a reaction. At Maitea, we only mix our 925 silver with copper, which is gentler on sensitive skin than other metals. Our 925 silver is 100% nickel-free. Other makers often add zinc, nickel or unknown materials to cut costs.
Has your 925 silver tarnished? Here's how to clean it yourself
If you wear your 925 silver every day, it may tarnish a little over time. No need to panic: your jewellery will look like new in no time. Clean it with one of these methods:
- Line a small bowl with aluminium foil. Add salt, place your jewellery on top and pour hot water over it. Your silver will be clean again straight away.
- Put four tablespoons of baking soda and a cup of vinegar in a bowl and place your jewellery in it. Wait an hour, rinse it with water and dry it with a clean cotton cloth. The result shines.
- Not into home remedies? Use a silver cleaning solution. Put a little on a cloth and polish your jewellery until the tarnish is gone.
Your gold jewellery might be silver
The gold ring you love so much might not be as pure as you think. A common material in jewellery making is vermeil: 925 silver coated with gold. A good option for anyone who loves gold jewellery but wants to spend less. Silver jewellery is gold-plated by electroplating, where a solution bonds small gold particles to the silver. The longer the jewellery is immersed, the thicker the layer and the longer your vermeil lasts.
Vermeil doesn't stay golden forever. Here's how to make it last
Vermeil is coated with a layer of gold. It isn't waterproof, so this layer wears off over time. In the end, you're left with silver jewellery.
How long will your jewellery stay golden? That depends on your skin's pH, whether you protect it from moisture, and how thick the gold layer is. It's best to save your vermeil for special occasions. For every day, medical stainless steel is the easy-care alternative.
Why vermeil at all, you ask? Gold-coated stainless steel is 100% waterproof and ideal if you never want to take your jewellery off. But very delicate designs can't be made in stainless steel. So for some very fine earrings we use vermeil, and we tell our customers exactly how to care for them.
What to avoid so your vermeil lasts
Vermeil needs a little more care. Water wears the gold layer away over time, so take it off when you shower, swim or work up a sweat. Better not to wear it to the gym. Keep make-up, creams and cosmetics away from it. Store it away from air and light when you're not wearing it. The perfect excuse to treat yourself to a jewellery box.
