SILVER

Sterling silver is an alloy containing metals that react with chemicals found in air and produce tarnish; high moisture levels, exposure to sunlight and contaminants such as salt water increase this reaction.

Store sterling silver in a cool, dry place. Most tarnish is easily removed by polishing with a mild abrasive or soaking in an anti-tarnish solution.

To clean sterling silver it is better to wash your silver by hand in hot, sudsy water as soon as possible after use. Rinse well in clear hot water and hand-dry immediately and thoroughly.

GOLD-PLATED

Gold-plated jewelry should be wiped down with a damp cotton ball or microfiber cloth after every use to remove smudges and surface soil. A more thorough cleaning should be done after exposure to chlorine, alcohol, acids, and sulfur compounds that cause the base metals to tarnish.

To clean gold-plated jewelry, soak it for a few minutes in warm, soapy water and dry it with a soft cloth as needed (or a soft toothbrush to clean small cracks and crevices).

14k GOLD

To keep its shine, you should clean your jewelry regularly with a solution of 10-parts warm water and 2-parts dish soap.

A few extra tips: soaking is the key, you should soak your gold jewelry pieces for 3 hours and then scrub them gently with a very soft brush. Air dry or carefully towel-dry with paper towel or regular cloth.