How to Clean a Silver Jewelry Chain

Polished silver chain

The majority of silver jewelry chain on the market is crafted from sterling silver. Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent pure silver, which is combined with copper and similar alloys to strengthen the metal. Pure silver will not tarnish very quickly under normal conditions, but when copper is added, it speeds up the process. To clean a tarnished silver chain, choose a liquid dip cleaner that is pre-mixed, formulated for silver jewelry and includes a cleaning tray.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid dip jewelry cleaner
• Paper towels
• Silver polishing cloth

Instructions

1. Read the directions on the liquid dip cleaner. Some cleaners need to be shaken before use.

2. Place folded paper towels under the jar of cleaner to prevent damage to the work surface.

3. Remove the jewelry tray from inside the liquid dip cleaner. Place the chain onto the jewelry tray. Lower the tray into the cleaner, then gently lift it up again. Continue lowering and lifting the tray for five to 10 seconds.

4. Rinse the silver chain in warm water to remove the cleaner.

5. Dry the chain gently with paper towels. The chain should be completely dry before moving to the next step. If necessary, allow the chain to air-dry for 10 to 15 minutes.

6. Polish the chain by rubbing it with the polishing cloth. This will help the chain shine more and will serve as an anti-tarnish agent.

Tips & Warnings

• Always handle your jewelry with care during cleaning to prevent scratches.

• Clean one chain at a time to prevent the chains from becoming tangled.

• To prevent tarnish, store each chain inside a small plastic zip-top bag. Small jewelry bags can be found in jewelry stores and craft shops.

• Only use cleaners formulated for silver jewelry. Many silver cleaning products are formulated for cleaning extreme tarnish and often require ventilation and safety gloves. These products can damage your jewelry and may cause skin reactions if they come in contact with your skin.

• Before cleaning your jewelry, check each piece for hallmarks. Cleaners can remove the silver plating from plated jewelry. Real silver will have one of the following markings located on the clasp: 925, 925 silver, sterling or sterling silver.

References

• Jewelry Cleaning At Home: Jewelry Cleaner Liquid
• Jewelry Secrets: Why Does Silver Tarnish?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Read this Article in Portuguese
• Connoisseurs: Jewelry Cleaning Tips
• Connoisseurs: Cleaning Chart