What’s the best way to store silver and gold jewellery when it’s not in use?
Jewellery made of pure gold won’t change, but jewellery made of gilded metal or silver can tarnish. Silver reacts with sulphur in the air. For this reason, silver jewellery should be kept in some kind of container — a resealable plastic bag, for example.
Before you put away silver jewellery, it can be a good idea to clean off any finger marks or dirt, either by gently polishing the surface with a dry cotton cloth or by using a soft toothbrush in a bowl of water. Leave the item to dry completely before you pack it away. Avoid using water if the jewellery includes pearls or other delicate materials. If you need to polish silver because it’s tarnished, I recommend using the kind of polishing cloth you can buy from a jeweller.
Kind regards, Maren, object conservator.
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