How to Care for Your Sterling Silver, Gold-Plated, and Rhodium-Plated Jewelry
Feb 17, 2025
All Sterling Silver 925 jewelry from Dinot Jewelry is plated with 18k/14k gold or rhodium to provide an extra layer of protection. Each sterling silver order comes with
- A soft pouch for storing each piece individually
- A silver polishing cloth, and
- Anti-tarnish strips to keep in the pouch when storing.
These essentials help protect your jewelry, keeping it shiny, tarnish-free, and looking brand new for years to come. In this guide, we’ll share essential tips on how to clean, store, and protect your jewelry to maintain its shine and prevent wear.
Remember this acronym: R.W.S.C. – Refresh, Wipe, Store, Clean – and your jewelry will stay shining for years to come.
Daily Care & Wear: Keeping Your Jewelry Looking New
To extend the life of your sterling silver pieces and gemstone rings, follow these simple do’s and don’ts:
✅ Do: Remove your exposed jewelry before:
- Washing hands, showering, or swimming (moisture can speed up tarnishing).
- Applying lotions, perfumes, or hair products (chemicals can dull metals and gemstones).
- Exercising, cleaning, or doing housework (friction and sweat can damage plating).
❌ Don’t:
- Wear your jewelry to bed—tossing and turning can cause scratches.
- Stack rings together unless they’re designed for stacking (friction can wear down plating).
How to Store Your Jewelry to Prevent Tarnishing
Proper storage is key to maintaining the beauty of your jewelry.
- Store Each Piece Separately: Never store sterling silver pieces together, as they can scratch and accelerate tarnishing.
- Use the Pouch Provided: Each piece from Dinot comes with a soft pouch and anti-tarnish strips—keep your jewelry inside when not in use.
- Keep in a Cool, Dry Place: Avoid storing your jewelry in humid areas like bathrooms.
How to Clean Your Jewelry Properly
Every order from Dinot comes with a silver cleaning cloth to help maintain your jewelry’s brilliance. Here’s how to use it:
Cleaning Sterling Silver (925 Silver) Rings
Over time, sterling silver can oxidize and tarnish, but that’s completely normal! Good thing is: the plating provides some extra protection. However, to maintain and restore its shine:
- Use the included silver cloth to wipe away dirt and smudges.
- If deeper cleaning is needed, use a very soft brush with warm water and mild soap, then dry immediately.
- Do not use silver polish or harsh abrasives, as they can wear down the plating over time.
Q: I noticed mild oxidation on my sterling silver jewelry, what do I do?
A: Mild oxidation on sterling silver can often be removed with warm water and mild soap before it develops into heavier tarnish. For light oxidation, follow these steps:
- Dampen a soft cloth with warm water and gently wipe the jewelry.
- Dry it immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent water spots.
- Use the included silver polishing cloth to restore shine.
Q: I waited too long and now oxidation has worsen, is my jewelry ruined?
A: If oxidation has worsened on your sterling silver jewelry, don’t worry—there are still ways to restore its shine. Follow these steps carefully to remove tarnish while protecting the gold or rhodium plating:
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water.
- Soak the ring for a few minutes.
- Gently scrub with a soft brush or cloth to remove oxidation.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Dry completely with a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent water spots.
For severe oxidation or faded plating, professional jewelry cleaning or replating may be necessary to restore its original shine. A jeweler can safely clean the silver and reapply gold or rhodium plating if needed.
Final Thoughts: Jewelry That Lasts a Lifetime
With proper care, your sterling silver jewelry and gemstone rings will remain stunning and elegant for years to come. Cleaning, storing, and handling them properly will ensure they keep their shine, resist tarnishing, and stay as beautiful as the day you got them.
Got more jewelry care questions? Drop them in the comments—we’d love to help! 💎✨
