Jewelry Care
Last updated: June 2026
Your SelinJewels pieces are made from 925 sterling silver and moissanite stones — built to last, but like all fine jewelry, they shine brightest with a little care. This guide covers everything from daily habits to homemade cleaning solutions, so your jewelry stays brilliant for years.
In this guide, you'll learn:
- Why sterling silver tarnishes (and why that's normal)
- A simple homemade cleaning solution you can make at home
- Do's and don'ts at a glance
- Care tips specific to rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets
- Common mistakes that shorten your jewelry's lifespan
Jump to: Why Silver Tarnishes · Homemade Cleaner · Do's & Don'ts · Care by Jewelry Type · Common Mistakes · FAQ
Why Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with other metals (usually copper) for durability — see our complete guide to 925 sterling silver for the full breakdown. That small percentage of copper reacts with sulfur and moisture in the air over time, creating a dark tarnish on the surface. This is completely normal and doesn't mean anything is wrong with your jewelry — it's simply a natural chemical reaction. The good news: tarnish is easy to prevent and even easier to clean off.
Daily Care Tips
- Store separately: Keep each piece in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box to prevent scratching and tarnishing.
- Avoid moisture: Remove jewelry before swimming, showering, or exercising. Moisture speeds up tarnishing on sterling silver.
- Apply products first: Put on perfume, lotion, and hairspray before putting on your jewelry, not after.
- Avoid chlorine and harsh chemicals: These can damage the silver's finish and dull the moissanite's sparkle.
- Take it off before sleep: Friction against pillows and sheets can loosen stones and bend delicate settings over time.
Cleaning Your Jewelry
- Wipe gently with a soft microfiber cloth after each wear to remove oils and residue.
- For a deeper clean, use a mild soap and lukewarm water solution, then dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.
- Avoid abrasive cloths, paper towels, or harsh jewelry cleaners not designed for sterling silver.
- Polish occasionally with a silver polishing cloth to maintain shine and prevent tarnish buildup.
- For moissanite stones specifically, a soft-bristled toothbrush dipped in mild soapy water works well to clean around prongs and settings without scratching the metal.
Homemade Cleaning Solution
You don't need expensive jewelry cleaner to keep your pieces sparkling. This simple solution works well for sterling silver and moissanite:
- Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap.
- Soak your jewelry for 5–10 minutes to loosen oils and residue.
- Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush, focusing on settings and crevices.
- Rinse thoroughly under lukewarm water.
- Pat dry immediately with a soft, lint-free cloth — don't let it air dry, which can leave water spots.
Avoid: baking soda, vinegar, and toothpaste. These are common "hacks" online, but all three are abrasive enough to scratch the silver's polished finish over repeated use, even though they won't damage the moissanite itself.
Do's and Don'ts at a Glance
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Wipe with a soft cloth after each wear | Shower, swim, or exercise while wearing it |
| Store in an airtight pouch or anti-tarnish bag | Toss pieces loosely in a drawer together |
| Apply lotion and perfume before putting jewelry on | Use baking soda, vinegar, or toothpaste to clean |
| Remove rings before manual tasks or workouts | Ignore a loose stone or bent prong |
| Check clasps and prongs periodically | Use a generic ultrasonic cleaner on delicate settings |
Care by Jewelry Type
Rings
Rings take the most daily wear and tear since your hands are constantly active. Remove rings before washing dishes, gardening, working out, or applying hand cream. Check prongs periodically to make sure stones are still secure — if a stone feels loose, stop wearing the ring and reach out to us before it's lost. New to ring shopping? See our engagement ring buying guide.
Necklaces
Lay necklaces flat or hang them individually to prevent tangling and to keep chains from kinking. Clasps are often the first part to wear out, so avoid pulling on the chain itself when putting a necklace on or taking it off. Wearing more than one at once? See our necklace layering guide for how to keep multiple chains from tangling.
Earrings
Store earrings in pairs so you don't lose track of a match. For stud and dangle earrings with moissanite, avoid sleeping in them and remove before applying makeup or hair products to keep the backs and posts free of buildup.
Bracelets
Bracelets are prone to scratching since they knock against surfaces throughout the day. Remove bracelets before manual tasks, and check the clasp regularly since this is the part most likely to wear loose over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a generic ultrasonic cleaner: Many household ultrasonic cleaners are too harsh for delicate prong settings and can loosen stones over time.
- Storing everything in one box: Pieces rubbing against each other causes scratches — separate compartments or pouches prevent this.
- Wearing rings during workouts: Gripping weights or equipment puts pressure on settings and can bend prongs.
- Cleaning with paper towels: They're more abrasive than they look and can leave fine scratches on polished silver.
- Ignoring early warning signs: A slightly loose stone or a clasp that's stiffer than usual is much cheaper to fix early than after it's lost or broken.
Traveling With Your Jewelry
- Use a dedicated jewelry travel case or pouch with individual compartments to prevent pieces from tangling or scratching each other.
- Avoid leaving jewelry in checked luggage — keep it in your carry-on where you can monitor it.
- Remove jewelry before airport security screening if asked, and keep it in a small zip pouch for easy access.
- Avoid wearing jewelry to the beach or pool, where sunscreen, salt water, and sand can all accelerate wear.
When to Seek Professional Help
Most day-to-day care can be handled at home, but a few situations call for a professional jeweler:
- A stone feels loose or has visibly shifted in its setting
- The clasp on a necklace or bracelet is bent or no longer closes securely
- Tarnish has built up heavily and doesn't lift with normal cleaning
- A prong has bent or broken
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shower with my sterling silver jewelry on?
It's best to remove it first. Soap residue and moisture both contribute to faster tarnishing, and prolonged water exposure isn't ideal for the metal's finish over time.
Will moissanite lose its sparkle over time?
No — moissanite is a durable gemstone (9.25 on the Mohs hardness scale) and won't lose its brilliance with normal wear. Any dulling you notice is almost always residue buildup, not damage to the stone itself, and it cleans right off.
How often should I clean my jewelry?
A quick wipe with a soft cloth after each wear, plus a deeper soap-and-water clean every one to two weeks for pieces worn regularly, is enough to keep tarnish from building up.
Is it normal for sterling silver to tarnish quickly?
Tarnish speed varies by climate, humidity, and how often a piece is worn. Pieces worn often actually tarnish slower than pieces left untouched in storage, since the natural oils on skin help slow the reaction.
What's the best way to store sterling silver jewelry long-term?
Use an airtight pouch or bag with an anti-tarnish strip, kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This slows the silver's exposure to the air and moisture that cause tarnish.
Can I use toothpaste to clean silver jewelry?
It's better to avoid it. Toothpaste contains micro-abrasives meant for tooth enamel, and repeated use can leave fine scratches on a silver piece's polished finish. A mild soap-and-water solution is gentler and just as effective.
With a little routine care, your SelinJewels pieces will keep their brilliance for years to come. Have a specific question about caring for your jewelry? Reach out to us — we're happy to help. Curious how moissanite compares to diamond? Read our moissanite vs. diamond guide. Looking to add to your collection? Browse our moissanite jewelry.