The majority of the jewellery available at JewelleryStore.com.au is Rhodium plated. Rhodium is a semi-precious metal that lends a White Gold or Platinum look to Sterling Silver Jewellery, while ensuring that it is not subject to the usual fading or tarnishing affect of naked Sterling Silver.

What Causes Sterling Silver to Tarnish?

Sterling silver is a precious metal that is prone to tarnishing. Several ways in which silver may eventually lose its highly polished sheen are:

- being in contact with perfume, soap or hairspray
- being exposed to salt water or chlorine in swimming pools
- being in contact with perspiration
- leaving silver unprotected in air may also cause the silver to lose its high shine more quickly.

How to Care for Your Sterling Silver Jewellery

If you look after your jewellery it will continue to look beautiful for years to come. At JewelleryStore.com.au, we suggest cleaning sterling silver jewellery with an anti-tarnish silver cloth. These cloths are readily available from supermarkets and department stores and are quite inexpensive. Silver does tarnish with exposure to the air, but a quick rub with an anti-tarnish silver cloth will prevent this.

	When not wearing your jewellery, store in a jewellery box, suede / velvet pouch, plastic bag or acid-free tissue paper. Storing each piece of jewellery separately will also prevent small surface scratches from occurring where pieces rub together.
	As with most precious metals, in time silver will oxidize. Properly maintained Sterling silver will actually improves with age. It develops a lush patina when treated properly.
	Simply clean your piece with a mild soap and water solution and pat it dry with a soft cloth. If dirt is more stubborn a silver cleaner is appropriate.
	Don't rub silver with anything other than a polishing cloth or fine piece of felt. Tissue paper or paper towels could cause scratching.
	Like other jewellery, avoid wearing silver in chlorinated water as this will discolor it.
	Store your silver jewellery in a cool, dry, dark place. A tarnish preventative bag is a good idea, or wrapped individually in plastic pouches, a soft piece of felt or cloth.
	As air and light cause silver to tarnish, the less of them the better when stored.

If you have any questions regarding the appropriate care of your jewellery, the friendly staff at JewelleryStore.com.au is only an email away, and will be only too happy to offer advice. Email us at enquiries@jewellerystore.com.au.