Sterling Silver Jewellery Care
A simple luxury ritual for keeping your VALHALLU jewellery bright, polished and beautiful for years to come.
Beautiful silver needs a little care.
925 sterling silver naturally reacts with oxygen, moisture and substances in the environment. Over time, this can cause the surface to tarnish or lose some of its brightness. Regular, gentle care helps restore its shine and protect its finish.
925 Sterling Silver
Our sterling silver jewellery is made with 92.5% pure silver combined with other metals for strength and durability.
Natural Tarnish
Tarnish is a natural surface reaction and does not usually mean that your jewellery is damaged. Moisture, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, chlorine, bleach, sulfur and other chemicals can accelerate the process.
Everyday Beauty
Gentle cleaning, sensible wear and proper storage help keep your favourite pieces looking beautiful and reduce unnecessary wear on the silver.
A gentle six-step ritual.
For regular care, keep the process simple. Avoid aggressive polishing, abrasive materials and strong chemicals, especially on delicate stones or special finishes.
Prepare
Use a soft, clean lint-free cloth and lukewarm water. For suitable plain-silver pieces, a small amount of mild soap may be used.
Clean
Gently wipe the silver. For suitable intricate areas, a very soft brush may be used with light pressure.
Rinse
If soap was used, rinse carefully with clean lukewarm water and make sure no residue remains.
Dry
Pat completely dry with a soft cloth. Do not put jewellery away while it is still damp.
Polish
When appropriate, use a dedicated silver-polishing cloth with gentle strokes. Avoid heavy pressure or repeated aggressive polishing.
Admire
Once completely dry, return your jewellery to a clean, protected storage place until you are ready to wear it again.
Small habits make a difference.
Most silver care starts before cleaning. Limiting unnecessary exposure to moisture, chemicals and physical abrasion can significantly reduce tarnishing and wear.
Do
- Remove jewellery before swimming, bathing or showering.
- Remove jewellery before exercise, household chores or physical activity.
- Put jewellery on after perfume, hairspray, lotions and cosmetics have dried.
- Wipe pieces gently with a soft cloth after wearing.
- Keep jewellery completely dry when it is not being worn.
- Store pieces separately to reduce scratching and tangling.
Don't
- Do not expose silver unnecessarily to bleach, chlorine or strong household cleaners.
- Do not scrub silver with abrasive materials.
- Do not use harsh chemicals on delicate gemstones.
- Do not store damp jewellery in a closed box or pouch.
- Do not keep jewellery in the bathroom where humidity is high.
- Do not aggressively polish plated, oxidised or intentionally textured finishes.
Let the stone guide the care.
Gemstones do not all respond to moisture, heat and chemicals in the same way. When a piece contains a delicate or porous stone, choose the gentlest method and avoid unnecessary soaking or strong cleaning products.
| Stone | Recommended care |
|---|---|
| Cubic Zirconia | Clean gently with lukewarm water and mild soap when suitable, then rinse and dry thoroughly. |
| Amethyst | Clean gently and avoid prolonged exposure to heat and harsh chemicals. |
| Garnet | Use gentle cleaning and avoid strong chemicals, abrasive tools and unnecessary impact. |
| Peridot | Handle carefully and avoid harsh cleaners, abrasive materials and sudden temperature changes. |
| Opal | Keep away from harsh chemicals, prolonged soaking and excessive heat. Wipe gently rather than using aggressive cleaning. |
| Turquoise | Avoid perfumes, oils, chemicals and prolonged contact with water. Wipe gently with a soft cloth. |
| Black Onyx | Use a soft damp cloth and avoid abrasive cleaners, harsh chemicals and prolonged soaking. |
Not every silver finish should be polished the same way.
Some jewellery is intentionally given a darker, oxidised, plated or textured finish. These surfaces require more delicate treatment than plain polished silver.
Oxidised Silver
An oxidised finish is intentionally darkened to create contrast and character. Avoid silver polish and aggressive rubbing, as these can remove the darker finish. When necessary, clean gently with a soft, dry cloth.
Plated Finishes
Plated surfaces can gradually wear with use. Avoid abrasive polishing and unnecessary exposure to chemicals, perfumes, chlorine and harsh cleaners.
Textured Details
Decorative textures and deliberately finished surfaces should be treated gently. Avoid vigorous rubbing that could alter the appearance of the design.
Store it like a treasure.
The way jewellery is stored between wears is just as important as how it is cleaned.
Separate
Keep pieces in individual pouches or compartments so chains do not tangle and surfaces do not rub against one another.
Dry
Choose a cool, dry place away from bathrooms, direct sunlight and excessive humidity.
Protected
Close boxes or pouches when jewellery is not being worn to reduce unnecessary exposure to air, moisture and everyday contaminants.
When in doubt, choose gentle care.
If a piece has an unusual finish, delicate gemstone, plating or intricate setting, avoid experimenting with strong cleaning products. Gentle care is the safer choice. For heavily tarnished or particularly delicate jewellery, professional jewellery cleaning may be preferable to aggressive home polishing.
Care, answered simply.
Why does sterling silver tarnish?
Sterling silver naturally reacts with substances in its environment. Moisture, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics, chlorine, sulfur, bleach and other chemicals can accelerate tarnishing.
Can I wear sterling silver in the shower?
It is better to remove it. Water, soap, shampoo and humidity can contribute to tarnishing and may also be unsuitable for some gemstones or special finishes.
Can I wear my jewellery while swimming?
We recommend removing jewellery before swimming, especially in chlorinated or salt water. Chlorine and other environmental factors can accelerate tarnishing and may affect some gemstones and finishes.
How often should I clean my jewellery?
Light cleaning can be done whenever a piece looks dull or after frequent wear. More thorough cleaning can be occasional, depending on how often the jewellery is worn and the type of finish or gemstone.
Can I use toothpaste to clean silver?
It is not recommended. Toothpaste can contain abrasive particles that may scratch silver and delicate finishes.
How often should I polish sterling silver?
Polish only when necessary. Repeated or aggressive polishing can gradually remove a small amount of the silver surface and may affect special finishes.
What about oxidised silver?
Oxidised silver is intentionally darkened. Avoid silver polish and aggressive rubbing, as these can remove the oxidised finish. When necessary, clean gently with a soft, dry cloth.
What should I do if my jewellery becomes heavily tarnished?
Start with gentle cleaning. If the piece has delicate gemstones, plating, an oxidised finish or intricate details, avoid aggressive polishing and consider professional jewellery cleaning instead.
How should I store silver jewellery?
Keep each piece clean and completely dry, preferably in a soft individual pouch or lined compartment, away from humidity, direct sunlight and excessive heat.