It's Natures Way

Over time and with love and wear of copper and silver jewelry, your pieces will naturally turn (tarnish).
Some like the natural maturing and turning that
time & wear have on jewelry. Others prefer their jewels to sparkle and shine as in their original luster. Metals will naturally react to body heat, natures elements, saltwater, fresh water and chemicals we come in contact with on a daily. Although there are plenty of over the counter cleaners, consider trying some of the following natural methods to clean your jewelry.
​ I don't guarantee any of these methods will work to your expectations but thought I'd list a few popular techniques for you to try.
It's always an option to visit your local jeweler or metal smith to request a cleaning. A fee may apply.

Do's &  Don'ts

 Sterling Silver & Copper can be easily scratched with cleaning abrasives so use caution when cleaning & polishing them. Always take the time to read the label on any store bought cleaning product. With any cleaning method, always try the solution on a small area before covering the whole surface of your piece. 

• Although toothpaste has been recommended for cleaning silver in a pinch, I do not recommend using it because of the potential of scratching the surface of your jewels and stones~ Plus it's hard to get the smell out. 

Sterling Silver

I have used the following method on heritage sterling flatware and my favorite sterling silver jewelry. It works like magic without damaging the finish.

•  Water/baking soda/aluminum foil
  Place an aluminum pan in a kitchen or laundry room sink. Place silver jewelry in the pan (Dollar Store baking pans work well) or a baking dish lined with foil.
  Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the pieces you wish to have polished. 
  Pour boiling water over top and allow it to soak for about 5 minutes. The tarnish will magically disappear. 
  Use caution when pouring the boiling water over the sterling & baking soda in the pan.
                       It's HOT and will splash. 
  This method is not recommended for cleaning sterling silver jewelry with set stones. The chemical reaction could glaze the stone and the boiling water could crack the stone... Noooo!!!

Soft Cloth & Elbow Grease

• Squirt a few drops of hand sanitizer on a soft cloth and rub away the tarnish on silver.
• Jewelry polishing cloths for Silver, Gold, Brass and Copper are also an option and can be purchased at craft stores, large retailers and jewelry stores. ​Polishing with a soft cloth takes time but can be meditative. It's a natural way to clean away tarnish created from simply enjoying wearing your favorite jewelry. 
                  Enjoy your jewelry!
  Wear it wherever go doing whatever you do. 

Copper

Many of my pieces are made of up-cycled copper electrical wire. With time, simply wearing copper jewelry will cause the metal to tarnish. Some desire the natural tarnish look. If you'd like to shine it up again, trying using the following way to naturally clean and don't require using harsh chemicals.

• Vinegar and salt:
  ​Rub a mixture of 1 tablespoon of table salt and 1 cup of white vinegar onto the copper with a soft cloth and rinse. Or, immerse the tarnished copper into a pot of 3 cups of water and the salt-vinegar mixture, bring to a boil and boil until the grime and tarnish comes off. Once the copper is cool, wash it with soap and water, rinse and rub with a soft cloth.

• Ketchup:
  Believe it or not, you can use this common condiment to clean copper jewelry, pots and pans. Rub a small amount of this common kitchen condiment onto tarnished copper to restore its natural luster. Then rinse and rub dry.
• Lemon:
  Cut a lemon in half, add salt to the cut side and rub gently onto the item. You can also make a paste with lemon juice, and equal parts salt and non-oxidized cornstarch or baking soda.
• Baking soda:
  Combine lemon juice sprinkle or sprinkle on to a cloth and rub to a copper luster.

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