Because it tarnishes, caring for sterling silver jewellery requires two separate approaches.

First, to address the tarnishing problem, wipe down your silver jewellery every few months with a non-abrasive polishing cloth or a soft cloth dipped in a cleaner that has a tarnish preventive ingredient. Most jewellery stores carry these products, which are called silver cleaners, tarnish preventives, silver polish, or silver dip cleaners. Using them even on brand new silver will retard tarnishing - which, simply speaking, is the discolouration that results when silver is exposed to air. If your silver jewellery has already tarnished, shine it up using this same method.

Second, to clean silver jewellery of dirt and filmy build-up, use mild soap and water, rinse it, and then dry it. As with all jewellery, hold it over a bowl or jar when you wash or rinse it, to keep from losing it if it slips from your hands. Remember that organic materials and soft stones (opals, amber, pearls, and peridot) can be damaged by soap - just use water if any of them are set into your silver jewellery.

Rinsing jewellery thoroughly is a critical step, because soap residue will make it appear dull. Remember that if you wear your jewellery when you’re washing dishes or otherwise handling soap, you will contribute to the build-up of film, which diminishes the liveliness and beauty of your jewellery and necessitates more frequent cleaning.

It’s best to remove your jewellery when immersing your hands in soapy water. If you remove it when you are putting on makeup, powder, or hair spray, as well, it will prevent these materials from dulling your silver. Wash your hands after applying makeup to clean them of these same dulling residues. And remove your jewellery before you shower, swim, play sports, garden, or do housework, to avoid damaging or losing it.

If you wear silver chains frequently, hang them each night from a chain keeper or store them flat; this will keep them from becoming scratched or entangled. Most chain keepers are made of velvet-covered padded cardboard on a small easel, and they hold eight or more chains. Chains you wear less often should be individually stored in a closed, elongated box, a tarnish-preventive bag, or in a fabric-lined jewel case or box with separate compartments. Ideally, they should also be wrapped in silk or velvet.

For silver earrings, clean the pierced-ear wires with rubbing alcohol or disinfectant before you put them on. Take them off before you sleep to prevent damaging the jewellery or your ears. (Removing pierced earrings at night gives your earlobes a chance to breathe.)

When handling any jewellery set with stones, you should avoid touching the stones, as that causes a greasy build-up on their surfaces that reduces their brilliance and sparkle.

Last, we recommend you visit your jeweller at least once a year to have all your jewellery checked for loose prongs, weakening clasps, and wear on mountings. You can have it all professionally shined at the same time.