Care for Silver

The Vestigellery approach

Many of us were taught to clean silver “the old-fashioned way” — with tooth powder, toothpaste, or baking soda.
At Vestigellery, we deliberately avoid these methods.
Such products contain abrasive particles that scratch the polished surface. Silver may appear brighter at first, but the living brilliance of the polish is lost — the soft, noble glow that has made silver precious for centuries.
These “grandmother’s methods” are especially harmful to jewelry with natural gemstones and to antique pieces: not only the metal suffers, but also the setting and the stones themselves.

Why silver darkens

Working daily with antique and artistic silver, we often observe a paradox: the more silver is worn, the longer it retains its noble shine. Still, tarnishing is a natural process. The main reasons include:

Humidity
Silver does not like moisture. We do not recommend storing jewelry in bathrooms or near sources of steam. The ideal solution is a jewelry box lined with soft fabric.

Everyday wear and household activities
Silver jewelry should be removed during cleaning, contact with household chemicals, and while sleeping.

Individual skin chemistry
Silver may darken depending on the wearer’s skin chemistry and overall condition. This is normal and does not indicate poor quality.

Contact with sulfur
Silver reacts with sulfur compounds and darkens quickly. In daily life this may occur through contact with: egg yolk, onions, table salt.

How we recommend caring for silver

1. Professional jewelry-care products like "Hagerty Silver Clean"
   The safest and most delicate option is specialized silver-care cosmetics: creams, solutions.  Apply the product to a soft flannel or professional jewelry cloth and gently polish the surface without excessive pressure.
   If the product enters the setting (the space between the stone and the metal), remove any residue carefully with the edge of a plain sheet of paper. Never use metal objects — they leave micro-scratches.
2. Silver-polishing cloths. Ideal for regular care and light tarnish. They help maintain shine but are not intended for deep cleaning.
3. Cleaning solutions. Use with caution, especially for jewelry with natural gemstones. Stones with a soft structure may be damaged.
4.  A gentle home method, if professional products are unavailable:

• soak the jewelry in warm soapy water for 10–15 minutes
• rinse gently
• dry thoroughly and polish with a chamois or flannel cloth
• If necessary, you may add ammonia: 1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water.

The Vestigellery philosophy

We work with silver as a material of memory — antique, vintage, shaped by life before reaching us.
Silver does not respond well to aggression, haste, or radical methods. It values regularity, softness, and respect.
This kind of care preserves the very surface that matters most — not mirror-like or sterile, but living, noble, and real.

Your Dimaris Galy.