Jewelry Care

About Argentium Silver

Argentium® Silver is 93.5% pure silver. It contains more silver and less copper than traditional sterling silver.  It has brilliance unmatched by traditional sterling silver as the germanium that replaces some of the copper adds the following improved properties to Argentium Silver pieces.

Brighter: Argentium Silver is brighter and whiter than platinum, white gold, palladium and traditional Sterling.

Naturally beautiful: Argentium Silver does not require plating and is the natural color of pure silver.

Tarnish Resistant: Argentium Silver is low maintenance, easy to care for and simple to keep clean.

Hypoallergenic: Argentium is a better suited for those who are unable to wear traditional sterling silver.

Is Responsible: Argentium Silver is made from 100% recycled silver.

To maintain Argentium Silver, simply wipe away any dust or finger marks with a clean soft cloth, or wash in warm soapy water, rinse and dry immediately with a soft cloth.  You will need to consider the gemstone on your piece (for example pearls and turquoise should never be submerged in water). On occasion, wipe your Argentium Sterling Silver with a clean silver polishing cloth to help bring out its inherent beautiful shine and luster. Avoid using coarse, contaminated or old cloths (we recommend using 100% cotton cloth or a Sunshine Cloth that has not been used on other metals). Do not use silver polishes, electrolytic cleaning or steam cleaning processes.

Jewelry care and recommendations for cleaning and storing your jewelry

My recommendations below are not all-inclusive and only provide warnings for some of the most typical improper practices used to care for jewelry.

All of your jewelry needs to be handled with special care.  Some gemstones are softer than others.  For example, organic gems like pearls, coral, amber and turquoise should only be wiped clean with a moist cloth and completely dried before storage. Due to their organic nature, these gems are both soft and porous and can also be damaged by water, heat and the sun.

Contact with body oils, lotions and beauty products can also damage precious metal and gemstones.  Using harsh chemicals like chlorine on your gemstones and the precious metal can cause them to break down; this includes wearing your jewelry in hot tubs and swimming pools.  Whew, so many variables—so I will try to give you a few basic tips on taking good care of your fine jewelry. Again, this is by no means all-inclusive and you should consult with a trusted source should you have a particular question.

Do store your jewelry separately in a soft cloth bag with a tarnish inhibitor.  Storing jewelry together gives you the risk of scratches and nicks in the gemstones and the metal.

Do wipe your jewelry with a soft, clean cloth after wearing to prevent the build-up of compounds that can cause damage.  We recommend using a soft 100% cotton cloth as paper and manmade fibers often contain wood fibers or synthetics that can result in fine scratches. Perfumes, lotions, body oils and perspiration can damage your jewelry.

Do completely dry your jewelry before storing.

Do remove your jewelry before washing your hands and doing dishes.

Do put your jewelry on last after you have applied your beauty products such as hair spray, lotions and perfumes to prevent discoloration of your stones and to keep your jewelry looking its best.  It’s advised to wait 30 minutes after applying these products to ensure your jewelry does not come in contact with these ingredients that can be harsh on precious gems and metals.

Do not submerge your pearls or turquoise in water; should this happen, wipe dry with a clean soft cloth. Let dry thoroughly before storage.

Do not store pearls in an air-tight container.  Always store in a soft cloth container and away from jewelry that may scratch or nick your pearls.

Do not wear your jewelry while performing household chores, gardening or other heavy work and sports activities.

Do not use commercial jewelry cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, toothpaste or harsh chemicals to clean your jewelry.

Getting in the habit of practicing these simple steps will keep your jewelry safe and looking its best for years of wearing.