Ask the Experts Care Q&A

Hello, I am making lots of sterling silver and gemstone pieces (mostly earrings). How should I care for the pieces? Can I use a silver polish when the pieces have bead components? Thanks for your advice.

- Lola

Placing your metal components and finished jewelry pieces in an air-tight container or a zip top plastic bag with a Shine-On™ anti-tarnish paper will help slow the oxidation process by neutralizing the sulfur gasses which causes tarnish.

Also available are Tite-Lip™ anti-tarnish reclosable bags manufactured with Silver Guard™, an exclusive film that neutralizes the corrosive gases that attack sterling silver. These anti-tarnish plastic bags ensure a tarnish-free product even when the bag is opened multiple times.

Using a polishing cloth is a good option for cleaning the tarnish from the silver without damaging the gemstones. Care must be used with plated items. Sterling silver, gold, copper or brass can be cleaned with Empire's instant tarnish remover, however this product is not safe for pieces with gemstones.

View our "Cleaning Metal and Jewelry with Polishing Cloths" video to learn more.

- Maura Buckner, Jewelry-Making Expert