How to Clean Silver Jewelry, According to a Jewelry Expert

Apr 18, 2023

Five minutes is all you need to bring the sparkle back to your favorite piece.

In fashion, what's old will slowly but surely become new again, as is the case with silver jewelry. Blame it on the overabundance of gold styles in the last several years, but silver jewelry has taken over the collections of our favorite jewelry brands, editors, and influencers. If you’ve recently picked up a new silver necklace or bracelet (or two), we wouldn't blame you. But over time, you’ll likely notice that sparkly new piece start to look well, less new. With time, wear, and exposure to the air, silver jewelry can become tarnished and grimy. Gross. Luckily, cleaning your silver pieces is simple and will only take you a matter of minutes. In fact, you’ll only need a handful of products that are most likely under your sink cabinet for jewelry that shines like new, according to Awe Inspired jewelry designer Kim Kyne.

With Kyne's insight, we’ve got the lowdown on everything you need to know to clean your silver jewelry, right from the comfort of your home. No fancy chemicals or cleaners required! From how often to clean your jewelry, to tips on keeping your favorite pieces sparkling once you’ve done the dirty work, here's how to clean silver jewelry.

If you wondering on whether you need to bust out your jewelry box and go to town on all of your silver jewelry, think again. Take comfort in knowing that you really only need to clean your pieces as needed, a.k.a. when they are looking lackluster, dirty, or tarnished. However, Kyne recommends cleaning your jewelry in between wears or every three months if you prefer your pieces to look extra brilliant. With proper care and by following the tips outlined below, you can go much further in between cleans. All in all, how often you have to clean your silver jewelry depends on how you care for and store your pieces.

If you have less than five minutes and some common household items, you’re ready to make your silver jewelry dazzle again. You’ll need a soft cloth, mild dish soap (such as Dawn), warm water, and an extra soft bristle toothbrush, says Kyne. And while this may seem obvious, you’ll also want to clean your jewelry in a large bowl, rather than over the sink to prevent any disastrous slip-ups. Below, Kyne has outlined easy-to-follow steps for cleaning your silver jewelry in minutes.

There are several ways to keep your jewelry clean and to prolong the longevity of your last cleaning.

Kim is Awe Inspired's Jewelry Designer and visual artist. Previously, she's held designer positions at Anna Beck, Forever 21, Teddy Fresh, and Tory Burch. She's passionate about fashion design, contemporary art, and spirituality. Awe recently opened its flagship store in Los Angeles and Kim is thrilled to be able to meet with customers face to face.

Brooke Knappenberger is the Editorial Fellow at Marie Claire, where she writes across the board from fashion and beauty to books and celebrities. As a pop culture junkie, Brooke obsessively consumes and writes about the latest movie releases, streaming TV shows, and celebrity scandals. She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri's School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.