How to Keep Tiffany & Company Jewelry From Fading

Remove your rings before washing your hands or applying lotion.

Founded in 1837, Tiffany & Co. designs and produces high-quality jewelry of all types, from precious gemstones to sterling silver. Like any fine jewelry, your Tiffany & Co. pieces require care and protection. Sulfur compounds in the air along with the salts and oils in your skin fade and tarnish sterling silver. Regularly polishing supplements protective care, but certain measures will prevent your sterling silver jewelry from fading.

Things You'll Need

• Flannel pouch
• Zip-seal plastic bags
• Sterling silver jewelry polish
• Clean flannel rags

Instructions

1. Store your sterling silver jewelry in a flannel pouch when you're not wearing it. The thickness of flannel helps absorb the sulfur compounds without scratching the silver.

2. Remove your silver jewelry before showering and seal it inside a zip-seal bag. The warm, humid air inside a bathroom fades your jewelry by increasing tarnishing.

3. Spray cosmetic products, such as perfume, hairspray or deodorant, in a separate room, away from your exposed jewelry. The chemicals, oils and fragrances in cosmetic products fade any silver jewelry outside a protective pouch.

4. Polish your jewelry twice a year to prevent severe tarnishing. Massage a dime-sized amount of polish into your jewelry using a clean flannel cloth. Rinse the piece under warm water and dry thoroughly with a clean flannel cloth. Removing tarnish regularly prevents fading, corrosion and discoloration.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your sterling silver to the jewelers for professional cleaning if your jewelry develops a brown or black tint. Heavily layered tarnish darkens silver and is difficult to remove at home.

References

• Tiffany & Co: Frequently Asked Questions: How Do I Care for my Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver?
• Society of American Silversmiths: Silver Care