How to Care for Your Silver Body Jewellery

Silver Is Made to Be Worn

Sterling silver is a precious metal with a wonderful bright finish, but like all silver it can gradually tarnish. That is completely normal. Tarnish does not mean your jewellery is ruined or worn out — in most cases it simply needs a quick clean or polish to bring the shine back.

Hidden Delites body jewellery is made to be worn and enjoyed. You do not need to be constantly worrying about it. A few sensible habits and occasional cleaning are usually all that is needed.

Keep a Silver Polishing Cloth Handy

One of the easiest ways to care for silver is with a soft silver polishing cloth. If your jewellery starts looking a little dull, gently buff the surface until the brightness returns.

Polishing cloths are inexpensive, easy to store and useful for giving your jewellery a quick refresh whenever you think it needs one.

Cleaning Silver Body Jewellery

For everyday cleaning, use a soft cloth to remove oils and marks from the surface. If the jewellery needs a more thorough clean, warm water with a small amount of mild dish soap can be used on suitable plain silver pieces.

Gently clean the jewellery with a soft cloth or very soft brush, rinse it well and dry it thoroughly afterwards. Avoid rough scouring pads or abrasive cleaners that could scratch the polished surface.

Take Extra Care with Crystals, Pearls and Decorative Details

Not every piece should be cleaned in exactly the same way. If your body jewellery includes crystals, pearls, stones, glued components or other decorative materials, be gentler and avoid soaking the whole piece unless you know those materials are suitable for it.

A soft cloth is often the safest first choice. When using a commercial silver polish, follow the product instructions and keep it away from decorative materials if the manufacturer advises against contact.

Perfume, Lotions and Household Products

Perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, lotions and household cleaning products can leave residues on jewellery or dull its surface. When practical, apply beauty products first and put your jewellery on afterwards.

If a piece has been exposed to a product, simply give it a clean when needed. Silver is very forgiving and can usually be polished back to its lovely bright finish.

Swimming and Salt Water

If you are going swimming, especially in chlorinated pools or the sea, it is sensible to remove valuable silver jewellery. Chlorine, salt, sunscreen and other products can all leave silver looking dull and may affect some decorative finishes or components.

If your jewellery does get wet, rinse it when appropriate and dry it thoroughly. There is no need to panic over the occasional splash — the aim is simply to look after a piece you value.

What About Everyday Wear?

Many Hidden Delites customers enjoy wearing their body jewellery for long periods, and some wear favourite pieces day and night. Plain solid silver designs are particularly easy to care for because they can simply be cleaned and polished whenever needed.

Cock rings, nipple jewellery and other intimate pieces are often protected beneath clothing during normal daily wear. How often you remove or clean a piece is a personal choice based on the design, how you wear it and what feels right for you.

After Exercise or Hot Weather

Body oils and perspiration can gradually dull silver, particularly in warm weather or after exercise. If your jewellery has had a particularly active day with you, wiping or washing it afterwards can help keep it looking fresh.

This is ordinary maintenance rather than a sign that anything is wrong with the silver.

How to Store Silver Jewellery

When you are not wearing a piece, keep it somewhere clean and dry. A jewellery pouch, small box or sealed bag can help reduce its exposure to air and humidity and slow down tarnishing.

It is also a good idea to keep pieces separate where possible so heavier jewellery does not rub against more delicate designs. Anti-tarnish strips can be useful if you store a collection of silver jewellery together.

What If My Silver Has Already Tarnished?

Don't worry. Tarnish is one of the most normal characteristics of silver. Start with a silver polishing cloth and gently work over the surface. For plain silver pieces that need more attention, use a jewellery-grade silver cleaner or polish according to its instructions.

Watching a dull piece of silver become bright again can actually be very satisfying. One of the advantages of real silver is that it can be cared for and refreshed rather than simply discarded.

Gold-Plated Silver Needs Gentler Care

Gold-plated and rose-gold-plated jewellery should be treated more gently than plain sterling silver because vigorous polishing can gradually wear the plated surface.

Use a soft cloth and mild cleaning methods rather than abrasive silver polish on the plated areas. Keeping perfume, lotions and harsh chemicals away from the finish will also help it stay looking beautiful for longer.

Jewellery Worth Looking After

One of the pleasures of owning handcrafted precious-metal jewellery is that it is not disposable. A favourite silver piece can be cleaned, polished and enjoyed again and again.

Hidden Delites has been creating handcrafted silver and gold body jewellery since 2001, including silver cock rings, nipple jewellery and non-piercing body jewellery for women.

A little care is all part of owning real silver — and it helps keep the jewellery you love looking its best.

Wear it, enjoy it, give it an occasional polish and let your silver jewellery shine.