What's the best way to polish silver jewellery?

So, you’ve just treated yourself to a new piece of sterling silver jewellery, or maybe you were lucky enough to receive one as a gift - and now you’re wondering what is the best way to keep it looking sparkly? 

The internet is bursting with ‘hacks’ and ‘secrets’ on virtually any subject, jewellery care is no different - however, not all that information is going to give great results. Seen the one about cleaning jewellery with scrunched up tin foil? Or perhaps using toothpaste? PLEASE DON’T DO IT. While these tips are often lauded as cheaper or more environmentally friendly alternatives to polishing compounds or toxic cleaning solutions, the truth is they could be damaging your jewellery. Scrunched up foil and toothpaste, for example, are both highly abrasive, while they will undoubtedly remove the initial tarnish from your jewellery, rubbing your jewellery with them will also be leaving behind loads of minute scratches on the surface leading to more oxidation and tarnishing in the future.

I use only a soft, lint free, polishing cloth on all my personal jewellery - no toxic chemicals or expensive solutions. I include a complimentary polishing cloth with every purchase so you can keep your jewellery looking its best too. Polishing cloths can last years and are very effective way of keeping your jewellery shining. They should be used dry and should not be washed. The cloths will turn black with use - this isn’t dirt, just a chemical reaction and they are fine to be used over and over again until the surface shows signs of bobbling - at which point you’ll need a new cloth.

For any particularly stubborn problems, or dirt in hard to reach areas, a tiny dot of dish soap, warm water and if necessary, a soft bristled baby toothbrush should do the job.

For anything more serious, like dark oxidation spots from coming into contact with bleach or chlorine from a pool - it's always best to pop to a jeweller and have it sorted properly.