As with any item of jewellery, you will want to avoid the following products being in contact with your jeweller. Sterling silver is by far the most sensitive of metals.
Avoid contact with:
- Heavily scented creams.
- High alcohol wipes and perfumes / colognes.
- Chlorine water. while you can swim with jewellery on, long exposure to chlorine will break down the metal structure. This makes the metals brittle which can cause cracking and crumbling.
- Bleach of any form.
- Salt water long exposure may tarnish your jewellery.
After coming in to contact with any of the above, wipe your jewellery down with warm water and a gentle soap such as dishwashing soap and dry thoroughly once you have washed your item.
Always store your jewellery dry and open.
If your silver jewellery has tarnished and turned black, your best course of action is to take it in to your nearest jeweller that offers polishing and cleaning.