How to Care for 925 Sterling Silver Jewellery — and Keep It Looking Beautiful Forever
By Laetitia, Let's Jam — Handmade Jewellery & Accessories, Camden Market London
Sterling silver is one of the most loved metals in jewellery — beautiful, versatile, and timeless. But if you've ever pulled a silver necklace out of a drawer only to find it dark and dull, you'll know that silver needs a little love to stay at its best.
The good news? Caring for your 925 sterling silver jewellery is simple once you know how. Here's everything you need to know.
What Does 925 Mean?
925 sterling silver means the metal is 92.5% pure silver, with 7.5% other metals (usually copper) added for strength. Pure silver (99.9%) is actually too soft for everyday jewellery — the copper gives it durability without compromising that beautiful silver lustre.
When you see a piece stamped with "925" or "S925", you know you're getting the real thing.
Why Does Silver Tarnish?
Tarnish is the natural reaction between silver and sulphur compounds in the air — it's chemistry, not damage. It shows up as a yellowish, then dark grey or black film on the surface of your jewellery. It doesn't mean the piece is ruined. It just means it needs a little attention.
Things that speed up tarnishing:
- Humidity and moisture
- Perfume, hairspray, and lotions
- Chlorine (swimming pools)
- Sweat and skin acids
- Air exposure when stored
How to Clean 925 Sterling Silver at Home
The Quick Daily Clean
For light tarnish or everyday maintenance, simply buff your silver with a soft, dry microfibre cloth after wearing. This removes skin oils and light surface tarnish before it builds up.
The Warm Water Method
For a gentle deeper clean:
- Mix a few drops of mild washing-up liquid with warm (not hot) water
- Soak your silver piece for 2–3 minutes
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush — pay attention to details and settings
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Pat dry immediately with a soft cloth — never leave silver to air dry as water spots can form
- Buff gently to restore shine
The Baking Soda Method (for heavier tarnish)
For pieces that have gone quite dark:
- Make a paste with baking soda and a little water
- Apply gently with a soft cloth, rubbing in the direction of the grain
- Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately
- Follow with a gentle buff
Avoid: toothpaste (too abrasive), lemon juice or vinegar on gemstone-set pieces, ultrasonic cleaners for crystal or stone-set jewellery.
How to Store Sterling Silver
Storage is half the battle. Follow these simple rules and your silver will stay brighter for longer:
- Store in an airtight container or zip-lock bag — reduces air exposure dramatically
- Keep pieces separate — silver scratches easily against other metals
- Add an anti-tarnish strip to your jewellery box — these absorb sulphur from the air and are inexpensive to buy
- Avoid storing in the bathroom — humidity is silver's enemy
- Wrap in acid-free tissue for pieces you don't wear often
Everyday Habits That Make a Big Difference
The easiest way to care for silver is to be mindful about when you wear it and when you take it off:
- Put your jewellery on last — after perfume, hairspray, and makeup have dried
- Take it off first — before showering, swimming, washing up, or exercising
- Remove before bed — tossing and turning causes scratches and tangles
- Wipe after every wear — 10 seconds with a soft cloth prevents weeks of tarnish build-up
Can I Wear 925 Silver in the Shower?
Technically yes — water alone won't damage sterling silver. But soap, shampoo, and conditioner will accelerate tarnishing and can leave a dull film. For the sake of your jewellery's longevity, it's best to take it off before you step in.
Chlorinated water (swimming pools and hot tubs) is a definite no — chlorine reacts aggressively with silver and can cause permanent discolouration.
What About Silver-Plated vs 925 Sterling Silver?
This is an important distinction. 925 sterling silver is solid silver all the way through — you can clean and polish it repeatedly without worrying about wearing through a surface layer.
Silver-plated jewellery has a thin layer of silver over a base metal. It's more affordable but requires gentler handling — aggressive cleaning can strip the plating. At Let's Jam, all our 925 pieces are clearly marked so you always know exactly what you're buying.
Crystal and Gemstone Silver Jewellery — Extra Care Tips
Many of our sterling silver pieces at Let's Jam are set with crystals, healing stones, or gemstones. These need a little extra care:
- Avoid soaking — prolonged water exposure can loosen settings and damage porous stones like turquoise, malachite, and opal
- No ultrasonic cleaners — the vibrations can crack crystals
- Clean the metal only — use a cotton bud dipped in warm soapy water to clean around settings without saturating the stone
- Keep away from direct sunlight — some crystals (amethyst, rose quartz) can fade with prolonged UV exposure
When to Bring It to Us
If your silver jewellery has a broken clasp, a loose setting, or tarnish that won't budge no matter what you try, pop into our stall at Camden Market. We're open every day 10am–6pm at Unit L3, 54-56 Camden Lock Place, NW1 8AF — and we're always happy to take a look.
Shop Our 925 Sterling Silver Collection
All our sterling silver pieces are ethically sourced, stamped 925, and packed with care in a gift bag. From minimalist bands and delicate pendants to crystal-set statement rings, you'll find something beautiful in our 925 Sterling Silver collection.
Let's Jam — Handcrafted in London & Ethically Sourced since 2014 Unit L3, 54-56 Camden Lock Place, Camden Market, London NW1 8AF Open every day 10am–6pm · www.letsjam.co.uk