Sterling Silver Jewellery Care Guide: How to Clean & Maintain Your Bracelets

Understanding Your Bracelet: Sterling Silver vs Gold-Plated

Before diving into care tips, let's understand what makes your bracelet special. At Ella & Eve, we offer two stunning options in our bracelet collection:

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). This composition gives your bracelet strength while maintaining silver's beautiful lustre. The copper content means sterling silver can tarnish over time when exposed to air and certain substances.

Gold-Plated Sterling Silver

Our gold-plated bracelets feature a layer of gold applied over sterling silver. This gives you the warm, luxurious look of gold at a more accessible price point. The plating can wear over time with frequent use, revealing the silver underneath, so special care is needed to preserve the gold finish.

Both options are beautiful choices that deserve proper care to maintain their shine and extend their lifespan.

Daily Care: Simple Habits for Lasting Beauty

The foundation of bracelet care is establishing simple daily habits that protect your treasured piece:

• Wear it last, remove it first: Put your bracelet on after applying lotions, perfumes, and hairspray. Take it off before showering, swimming, or cleaning.
• Wipe after wearing: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe your bracelet after each wear. This removes oils, sweat, and residues that can lead to tarnish or dulling.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Remove your bracelet before using household cleaners, chlorinated pools, or hot tubs.
• Mind your activities: Consider removing your bracelet during sports, gardening, or other activities that might expose it to impact, scratches, or dirt.
• Regular gentle cleaning: Even with daily wiping, plan for a more thorough cleaning every few weeks (more details below).

These simple habits take just seconds but make a tremendous difference in maintaining your bracelet's beauty. Whether you've chosen a delicate anklet or a statement bracelet, these principles apply to all your sterling silver jewellery.

Cleaning Your Sterling Silver Bracelet

Even with daily care, your sterling silver bracelet will eventually need cleaning to remove tarnish and restore its shine. Here are three effective methods:

Mild Soap Method (Safest for All Bracelets)

1. Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild washing-up liquid.
2. Soak your bracelet for 2-3 minutes.
3. Gently scrub with a very soft toothbrush, paying special attention to crevices and details.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
5. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth, then air dry completely before storing.

Silver Polishing Cloth (Quick & Convenient)

A silver polishing cloth is specially treated to remove tarnish and leave a protective coating. Simply rub your bracelet gently with the cloth until the shine returns. This method is perfect for light tarnish and regular maintenance.

Baking Soda Paste (For Stubborn Tarnish)

Note: Only use this method on plain sterling silver without gemstones or intricate details.

1. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water to create a paste.
2. Apply the paste to your bracelet with a soft cloth or fingertips.
3. Rub gently in circular motions, focusing on tarnished areas.
4. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.

After cleaning, your bracelet should look as stunning as the day you first added it to your jewellery collection.

Special Care for Gold-Plated Bracelets

Gold-plated bracelets from our gold bracelet collection require gentler care to preserve their finish. The gold layer is delicate and can wear away with harsh cleaning methods.

Safe Cleaning Method for Gold-Plated Jewellery

1. Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add a tiny drop of mild soap.
2. Dip a soft cloth in the solution and wring out excess water.
3. Gently wipe your gold-plated bracelet with the damp cloth.
4. Rinse by wiping with a cloth dampened with clean water.
5. Dry immediately and thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth.

What to Avoid with Gold-Plated Jewellery

• Never soak gold-plated pieces for extended periods.
• Avoid abrasive materials like toothbrushes or scrubbing pads.
• Skip harsh chemicals including baking soda, toothpaste, or commercial jewellery cleaners.
• Don't use polishing cloths designed for solid gold or silver.

With proper care, your gold-plated bracelet will maintain its warm, luxurious glow. The same principles apply to other gold-plated pieces like necklaces, earrings, and anklets.

Storing Your Bracelet: Protection When Not Worn

Proper storage is just as important as cleaning when it comes to preserving your bracelet's beauty. Follow these tips to keep your piece safe when not being worn:

• Use the original packaging: Your Ella & Eve bracelet comes in a beautiful gift box that's also perfect for storage.
• Keep pieces separate: Store each bracelet individually to prevent scratches and tangling.
• Anti-tarnish solutions: Consider anti-tarnish strips, pouches, or cloth bags to slow tarnishing.
• Control humidity: Store in a cool, dry place away from bathroom moisture and direct sunlight.
• Seal in plastic: For long-term storage, place your bracelet in a zip-seal plastic bag with the air squeezed out.
• Avoid paper or cardboard: These can contain acids that accelerate tarnishing.

Proper storage ensures your bracelet is ready to wear and looking its best whenever you reach for it. The same principles apply to all your precious Ella & Eve jewellery.

What to Avoid: Protecting Your Bracelet

Knowing what can damage your bracelet is just as important as knowing how to care for it. Here are the main culprits to avoid:

Chemicals to Avoid

• Chlorine: Found in pools, hot tubs, and some cleaning products.
• Sulphur: Present in some foods, hot springs, and rubber bands.
• Perfumes, lotions, and cosmetics: Apply these before putting on your bracelet.
• Household cleaners: Remove your bracelet before cleaning tasks.

Environmental Factors

• Salt water: Ocean swimming can damage both silver and gold-plated pieces.
• Hot water: High temperatures can accelerate tarnishing and damage gold plating.
• Direct sunlight: Extended exposure can fade and damage your bracelet.
• High humidity: Accelerates tarnishing, especially in bathrooms.

Being mindful of these factors will help extend the life and beauty of your bracelet, whether it's from our silver bracelet or gold bracelet collections.

When to Wear and When to Remove Your Bracelet

Making smart choices about when to wear your bracelet can significantly extend its life and beauty:

Perfect Times to Wear Your Bracelet

• During everyday activities like work, shopping, or dining
• For special occasions, parties, and celebrations
• When you want to add a touch of elegance to your outfit
• During low-impact activities where your bracelet won't be exposed to chemicals or excessive moisture

When to Remove Your Bracelet

• Swimming: Both chlorinated pools and salt water can damage your bracelet.
• Showering: Soaps and shampoos can dull the finish over time.
• Sleeping: Reduces unnecessary wear and prevents catching on bedding.
• Exercise: Sweat can accelerate tarnishing, and impact can cause damage.
• Cleaning: Household chemicals can harm both silver and gold-plated finishes.
• Cooking: Food acids and heat can affect your bracelet's appearance.

Finding the right balance between enjoying your bracelet and protecting it ensures you'll have a beautiful piece to treasure for years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bracelet Care

How often should I clean my sterling silver bracelet?

For regularly worn pieces, a gentle cleaning every 2-4 weeks is ideal. For occasionally worn items, clean before storing and again before wearing.

Can I wear my bracelet in the shower?

It's best to remove your bracelet before showering. Soaps, shampoos, and hot water can dull the finish and accelerate tarnishing or plating wear.

Why does my silver bracelet tarnish faster than others?

Tarnish rates vary based on skin chemistry, local climate, and exposure to different substances. Some people naturally have more acidic skin oils that can accelerate tarnishing.

How long will the gold plating last on my bracelet?

With proper care, gold plating can last for years. Factors affecting longevity include frequency of wear, exposure to chemicals, and how the bracelet is cleaned and stored.

Can I use silver dip cleaners on my bracelet?

Silver dip cleaners are generally too harsh for fine jewellery. They can strip patina from detailed areas and damage gold plating. Stick to gentler cleaning methods.

Explore the Ella & Eve Bracelet Collection

Now that you know how to care for your bracelet, why not add another stunning piece to your collection? Ella & Eve offers a beautiful range of sterling silver bracelets and gold-plated bracelets designed to complement any style.

Each piece comes with our signature gift packaging, making storage easy and gift-giving effortless. And don't forget to explore our matching necklaces, earrings, and anklets to create a coordinated look.

Special offer: Buy one piece of jewellery and get 50% off your second piece! It's the perfect opportunity to build your collection or find the ideal gift.

With the right care, your Ella & Eve jewellery will remain a treasured part of your collection for years to come.