Caring For Your Sterling Silver Wedding Band

Sterling silver wedding bands are a popular choice for couples looking for inexpensive but beautiful wedding jewellery. However, sterling silver is a soft metal that requires careful maintenance to keep it in good condition. Here are some tips to help you care for your sterling silver wedding band:

1. Avoid wearing your ring in water: This includes activities such as showering, swimming, or doing the dishes. The chemicals and substances in water can tarnish the ring and dull its shine.

2. Remove your ring during hand-heavy activities: Take off your ring when doing activities such as gardening, cleaning, or exercising to avoid scratches and exposure to harsh chemicals.

3. Be cautious with chemicals: Avoid exposing your ring to harsh chemicals found in soaps, detergents, creams, and cosmetics. These can cause discolouration, oxidation, scratches, and a loss of lustre.

4. Proper storage: Store your ring in an airtight bag when not in use to prevent tarnishing. You can also use a ring dish to keep your ring safe when you need to remove it temporarily.

5. Regular cleaning: Use a soft cloth to polish your ring and maintain its shine. You can also use mild soap and water or a soft toothbrush to clean it.

6. Avoid wearing during sleep: Remove your ring before sleeping to prevent oxidation caused by prolonged exposure to air.

How to Take Care of a Sterling Silver Wedding Band

Remove the ring when showering, bathing, swimming, or cleaning

Water and certain chemicals can damage your sterling silver wedding band, so it's important to remove your ring when partaking in any of the following activities:

Showering

Showering with any kind of jewellery is not recommended, as water nowadays contains chemicals and other substances that can tarnish your ring. The products you use in the shower may also be suitable for your skin but not for the metal. If you forget to take your ring off before showering, remember to wipe it dry afterwards.

Bathing

You should also remove your ring when taking a bath, as the chemicals and high salt content in bath products can react with the metal and cause tarnishing.

Swimming

Chlorine and salt are not kind to most metals, so it's best to take off your ring before going for a swim in the pool or ocean. If you forget to do so, make sure to clean and wash your ring afterwards.

Cleaning

Harsh chemicals in cleaning products can dull your ring over time, so it's best to remove it when doing any household or outdoor chores. If you're unable to form this habit, you can also wear gloves while cleaning to protect your ring. Gardening can also expose your ring to scratches and abrasive objects, so it's best to leave it out of any hands-on activities.

Avoid harsh chemicals, including hand sanitiser

Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% silver and the remaining 7.5% being copper or other metals. It is a popular choice for wedding bands due to its affordability and visual appeal. However, it is important to care for your sterling silver wedding band properly to maintain its shine and prevent tarnishing. One crucial aspect of this is avoiding harsh chemicals, including hand sanitiser.

Harsh chemicals can cause damage and discolouration to your sterling silver wedding band. This includes exposure to chemicals found in everyday products like lotions, makeup, perfume, and hand sanitisers. The substances in these products can react with the metal, causing it to lose its lustre and shine over time. Therefore, it is recommended to remove your ring before applying any of these products and to avoid excessive contact with them.

Additionally, when washing your hands, it is advisable to take off your ring. While normal rinsing and sanitising of the hands are acceptable, constant exposure to water and soap can lead to tarnishing. This is because the chemicals and substances in soap and water can react with the metal, causing it to dull over time.

It is also important to avoid wearing your sterling silver ring while engaging in activities that involve harsh chemicals, such as cleaning or gardening. The chemicals in cleaning products can be particularly damaging to the metal, and the ring may also be exposed to scratches during these activities.

In summary, to maintain the shine and longevity of your sterling silver wedding band, it is crucial to avoid harsh chemicals, including hand sanitiser. This means removing your ring before applying lotions, makeup, perfume, or hand sanitiser, and avoiding excessive exposure to water and soap. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your ring stays in good condition for years to come.

Take off the ring when applying lotions, makeup, or perfume

Sterling silver is a popular choice for wedding bands, but it does require some care to keep it in good condition. One of the most important things to remember is to take off your ring when applying lotions, makeup, or perfume.

Lotions, makeup, and perfume contain chemicals and substances that can be harmful to your ring. These products are designed to absorb into your skin, and when you wear your ring, those same chemicals can be absorbed into the metal, causing it to dull and tarnish over time. The same goes for perfumes and hairsprays, which can leave a residue on your ring that builds up over time.

Even if you are careful to avoid getting these products directly on your ring, it is still best to take it off as a precaution. The oils and lotions on your hands can transfer to the ring and, over time, affect its shine and brilliance.

To avoid this, it is recommended that you take off your ring before applying any lotions, makeup, or perfume. Allow your hands to fully absorb the product and dry before putting your ring back on. This simple step will go a long way in maintaining the luster and shine of your sterling silver wedding band.

Additionally, when storing your ring, it is best to keep it in an airtight bag. This will prevent air and moisture from coming into contact with the metal, slowing down the oxidation process and keeping your ring looking new for longer.

Store the ring in an airtight bag

Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or other metals. It is a popular choice for wedding bands, especially for those on a budget, as it is inexpensive compared to other metals. However, sterling silver requires more maintenance than other metals.

One way to care for your sterling silver wedding band is to store it in an airtight bag. This is because, when sterling silver interacts with air, it oxidises and forms a dark grey layer that can be polished off, but this process is avoided by keeping air out. You can also include a silica gel packet in the bag for further protection against tarnishing. Even when travelling, it is a good idea to carry the airtight bag so that your ring maintains its shine.

It is also important to store your ring separately from other pieces of jewellery, as they may scratch the surface of your ring, making it look older than it is.

Clean the ring regularly with a soft cloth or brush

Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or other metals. It is a popular choice for wedding bands, especially for those on a budget. However, sterling silver requires more maintenance than other metals like gold or platinum. To ensure your sterling silver wedding band stays in good condition, it is important to clean it regularly with a soft cloth or brush.

A soft cloth, such as a microfiber cloth or a specialised jewellery cloth, can be used to gently polish your ring after wearing it and before storing it. This will help to remove any dirt or residue that may have accumulated during the day and prevent tarnishing. Polishing your ring will also help to maintain its lustre and shine. If there are small spaces or crevices in your ring that are difficult to reach, you can use a Q-tip to get into these nooks and crannies.

In addition to using a soft cloth, you can also use a very soft toothbrush to clean your sterling silver ring. This method is particularly useful if your ring has stones or intricate details that need extra attention. You can use a mild liquid soap, such as Sunlight Liquid soap, and warm water to create a soapy solution. Dip the toothbrush into the solution and gently scrub the ring, paying close attention to the areas around the stones and the underside of the ring. Rinse the ring with clean water afterwards and dry it with a soft cloth. It is recommended to do this cleaning process once a month.

Another option for cleaning your sterling silver wedding band is to use a silver polishing cloth. These cloths are designed specifically for cleaning silver jewellery and can be used to remove any discoloration, oxidation, or tarnishing. Make sure that your ring is dry before using a silver polishing cloth.

By regularly cleaning your sterling silver wedding band with a soft cloth or brush, you can help to maintain its shine and lustre, prevent tarnishing, and ensure it looks its best for years to come.

Frequently asked questions