Caring for Handmade Silver Jewelry

Silver is one of the most beautiful of all precious metals. Depending on its form, it can appear warm or cool. It’s the perfect setting for nearly any gemstone and looks great on people with all skin tones and coloring. Silver jewelry may be handed down from one generation to the next, becoming family heirlooms – but silver is inexpensive enough that jewelry made of silver is a popular gift for men, women and children alike. From sterling silver bracelets to silver chains, silver earrings to silver pendants, handmade silver jewelry makes an ideal gift for many occasions.

Among the things that make silver jewelry such a great gift is the fact that it requires so very little special care. There are some steps you should take to keep your silver bracelets and other jewelry looking their best.

Wear Your Silver Jewelry Often

Wearing silver helps prevent tarnish and can deepen and enrich the glow of the metal. Don’t hide your silver away. The more you wear it, the more beautiful if will become.

Clean Silver Before Storing It

Body oils and other contaminants that remain on the metal can cause chemical reactions that accelerate tarnishing. Before you put your silver jewelry away, clean it with warm water and a little dishwashing liquid. Avoid wetting gemstones, especially opals or pearls, but plain silver jewelry can simply be immersed in soapy water, rinsed and carefully dried with a soft cloth. Lay each piece out on a soft cloth and allow it to dry completely before putting it away.

Wrap Each Piece of Jewelry Separately

Silver metal is soft and scratches easily. To keep your silver jewelry safe, wrap each piece carefully in tarnish-free cloth or tissue before putting it into a jewelry box.

Prevent Silver Chains from Tangling

Delicate silver chains can tangle and knot in storage. The best way to prevent tangling is with careful storage. Stretch out each chain on a piece of tarnish free cloth. Roll the cloth around the length of the chain, then coil the wrapped chain before placing it into a bag for safekeeping.

Keep Silver Jewelry Away from Chemicals

Chlorine and other common chemicals can damage and corrode silver. Remove your silver jewelry before washing dishes, showering or going swimming.

Properly caring for your silver jewelry will help keep it looking beautiful and wearing it often will enhance its beauty. Take good care of your silver, and it will give you pleasure for years to come.

NEW Silver Earrings for Spring!

Spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere and along with it new styles ... for everything from apparel to hairstyles. We're shedding all those layers of clothing to enjoy warmer weather - the bulky knit scarves, cowls and hats with the ear flaps are going into storage revealing ... new earrings!

Of course there are many types, styles and designs to choose from, including studs, hoop earrings and dangles. These can be made with many materials, creating many thousands of design possibilities.

Silver Hoop Earrings

If you're like most earring fans, silver earrings are among your favorites. Silver is a bright, sparkling white precious metal that pairs up very well with gemstones, glass beads, and crystals of every color you can imagine. From simple gemstone studs and cool silver hoop earrings to intricate wire wrapped designs featuring pearls and brightly colored gemstone beads, there are silver earrings available to suit every taste and to match virtually any type of dress from casual jeans and a tee to fabulous, elegant evening wear!

Beaded Silver Heart Earrings

And of course there are also many styles that feature nothing BUT silver. Sterling silver is a very versatile material, which allows it to be fashioned into virtually any shape or form. This opens up a world of possibilities for the jewelry artisan to consider and use as inspiration for a treasure trove of fantastic new earring designs. By using classic shapes and materials in a different, new way, the jewelry designer can create something fresh inspired by - but not copied from - older designs. The fabulous new handmade silver heart earrings on the left are a great example of this design technique. Designed and created by artisan jewelry maker Terry Salimbene, these lightweight but substantial looking earrings feature a bold heart motif that is accented with bright, shiny sterling silver beads. This style is truly classic looking, but is a thoroughly new earring design perfect for spring wear.


While we do love silver jewelry in general, silver earrings are one of the most noticed types of jewelry we can put on every day. Think about how many times during the day other people look at your face - in school, at work or just waiting for a bus on the street. Your earrings are very visible, and can help you to achieve the look you want. For instance, long dangle style earrings will help to make your face appear longer ... and slimmer. Owning a good variety of earrings can make your new Spring wardrobe more versatile, more noticeable and more fun!