How to Care for 925 Sterling Silver Jewellery
A thoughtful guide to preserving colour, shine and finish
Sterling silver jewellery is refined, timeless and made to be worn. Yet silver and its plated finishes can respond more quickly than gold to moisture, perspiration, cosmetics, chemicals, environmental residue and friction. Over time, these everyday factors may affect colour, shine and surface appearance.
These changes are part of the nature of silver. The most effective care is not intensive home cleaning, but a few considered habits that help protect both the silver beneath and the finish above it.
Is 925 Sterling Silver Suitable for Everyday Wear?
KURSHUNI silver jewellery is crafted from 925 sterling silver, which contains 92.5% pure silver. Because pure silver is naturally soft, it is combined with other metals to create a structure that is stronger and better suited to jewellery.
We apply a proprietary multi-layer plating technique developed specifically for KURSHUNI. Rhodium creates a white-gold colour, 21K rose-gold plating gives our soft peach-gold tone, and 24K pure-gold plating creates our yellow-gold finish. These layers give each piece its colour, brilliance and final surface character.
Why Can Silver Jewellery Change Colour?
Silver can react with substances in the air, humidity, perspiration, cosmetics and the surrounding environment. This may gradually lead to dullness, darkening or a visible change in tone.
Skin oils, soap and shampoo residue, moisturiser, sunscreen, perfume, make-up, dust, smoke and air pollution can also collect on the surface. On stone-set pieces, residue around and beneath the stones may reduce the way light passes through and reflects back, making them appear less bright.
Small Habits That Make a Real Difference
Put jewellery on after cosmetics
Apply perfume, moisturiser, hairspray, make-up and sunscreen first, then allow them to settle before putting on your jewellery. This helps reduce direct build-up on silver, plating and stones.
Keep it away from water, salt and chlorine
Remove silver jewellery before showering, swimming or entering the sea. Soap, shampoo, minerals, salt and chlorine can affect both the silver and its plated surface. Chlorine and salt, in particular, may accelerate colour change and wear.
Remove it for cleaning, exercise and sleep
Household cleaners, bleach, degreasers, alcohol-based products and other chemicals may damage plating, solder points, settings and surface treatments. Perspiration, impact and repeated friction during exercise can also place stress on chains and delicate forms. At night, jewellery may catch on hair, clothing or bedding.
Be mindful of friction
Bag straps, sleeves, desks and other everyday surfaces can repeatedly rub against rings and bracelets. This does not mean they should remain unworn; it simply means that a little awareness can help preserve the finish for longer.
Last on. First off.
How Should Silver Jewellery Be Stored?
Store silver jewellery in a clean, dry and closed space, away from humidity. Keep each piece in its own compartment, original box or soft pouch to reduce scratching, tangling, plating-to-plating friction and the build-up of environmental residue.
Fasten necklace and bracelet clasps before storing them. This small step helps prevent knots and reduces strain on fine links. Avoid stacking pieces on top of one another, especially jewellery with different plated colours, stone-set rings, polished surfaces and delicate chains.
Bathrooms are not ideal storage spaces because of changing humidity. Choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. When jewellery is not being worn, keeping it enclosed also limits contact with air, dust and pollution.
Extra Care for Plated Sterling Silver
The life of a plated finish depends on the plating technique and materials used, how often the piece is worn, where it sits on the body, skin chemistry, moisture, perspiration, friction and chemical exposure. KURSHUNI finishes are created with a multi-layer technique designed for high durability, but every plated surface will respond to wear over time.
Avoid abrasive polishing cloths, toothpaste, bicarbonate of soda, vinegar, alcohol, cologne, hard brushes and household mixtures. Silver-cleaning liquids intended for unplated silver should not be used on plated jewellery, as they may remove or damage the finish.
If you notice visible wear or a change in colour, do not try to correct it at home. A professional assessment can determine whether the piece needs cleaning, maintenance or replating.
What About Stone-Set Silver Jewellery?
Care should be guided not only by the silver and plating, but also by the stone itself. Hardness, porosity, surface treatment and setting style can all change what is suitable.
Do not spray perfume or cosmetics directly onto stones. Avoid impact, hot water, chemical mixtures and sharp objects around the settings. If you are unsure of the stone type, do not apply any cleaning product.
If a stone moves, makes a sound, or one of the prongs looks different from the others, stop wearing the piece and seek professional support.
When Is Professional Care Needed?
Professional care is recommended when the shine has noticeably reduced; the surface has darkened; residue has collected; the plating shows visible wear; a stone, clasp or connecting ring feels loose; a chain is bent or knotted; the shape has changed; deep scratches appear; or the piece has received a hard impact.
A professional service is more than cleaning. Stones, settings, clasps, links, solder points, plating and overall form can all be checked before the most appropriate treatment is chosen. Depending on the piece, this may include cleaning, polishing, repair or replating.
Polishing and replating are not treatments for every sign of wear. They should be carried out only when needed and after expert assessment. Every KURSHUNI piece received by our repair and care team is individually examined before any work is approved.
For KURSHUNI silver jewellery, we recommend a professional care check once a year.
The Simple Rule of Silver Jewellery Care
Caring for silver jewellery does not require a complicated routine. Put it on after cosmetics. Keep it away from water, salt, chlorine, humidity and chemicals. Remove it for exercise, cleaning and sleep. Protect it from unnecessary impact and friction. Store it dry, closed and separately, and leave specialist treatments to professionals.
Silver is a living material in the sense that it responds to its surroundings, while plated finishes naturally evolve with wear. Thoughtful care helps preserve the colour, shine and considered appearance of your jewellery for longer.
Last on. First off. Store dry and separately.
Wear it often. Care for it gently. Let it remain part of your story for years.
E. Esra KURŞUNLU
