Silver Care Guide

Sterling silver is a living metal. Looked after properly, a Sharada piece will stay bright for decades and can be passed down. Here is how to care for it, and how to get the size right.

Why silver tarnishes

925 sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with other metals for strength. Those metals react with moisture and sulphur in the air, which is what creates the dull grey film people call tarnish. It is normal, it is not a defect, and it comes off easily.

Tarnish happens faster in humid weather, near perfume and hairspray, in chlorinated water, and when silver is left sitting in the open air.

Everyday habits

Put your jewellery on last, after perfume, deodorant, sunscreen and makeup have dried. Take it off first, before you sleep, shower, swim or exercise.

Wipe each piece with a soft dry cloth after wearing. That single habit does more than any cleaning product, because it removes the sweat and oils before they have time to react.

Keep silver away from bleach, chlorine, and household cleaning liquids. Remove rings and bangles before washing dishes or applying mehendi.

Cleaning at home

For light tarnish, rub gently with a dry silver polishing cloth, working in straight lines rather than circles.

For heavier tarnish, mix a few drops of mild dish soap into warm water, soak the piece for a few minutes, clean gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse in clean water and dry completely with a soft cloth. Moisture left behind is what causes the tarnish to return.

Do not use toothpaste, baking soda, or abrasive scrubs. They will scratch the surface and strip oxidised and rhodium finishes.

Be extra gentle with pieces set with pearls, stones or CZ. Do not soak them. Wipe around the setting instead.

Storing your jewellery

Store each piece separately in an airtight pouch or a lined box, so pieces do not rub and scratch each other. Chains keep best laid flat or lightly fastened.

Keep storage dry. A silica gel sachet in the box helps a great deal during the monsoon.

Silver tarnishes fastest when it is never worn. Wearing your pieces regularly genuinely keeps them brighter.

Getting the size right

Every product page on this site lists its measurements under Specifications, so check there before ordering.

Bangles and kada are listed by inner diameter in centimetres. To find your size, press your thumb towards your little finger as though slipping a bangle on, measure around the widest part of your hand with a measuring tape, and divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter you need. Pieces marked Adjustable open out and fit most wrists.

Chains are listed by length in inches. As a rough guide, 16 inches sits at the base of the neck, 18 inches sits just below the collarbone, 20 to 24 inches sits on the chest and works well over clothing.

Bracelets are listed by length in centimetres. Measure your wrist with a tape and add about 1.5 cm to 2 cm for comfortable movement.

Toe rings are adjustable and fit most sizes.

Oxidised and rhodium finishes

Oxidised silver is deliberately darkened to bring out the detail in a design. Do not polish it hard, or you will remove the finish that makes the piece look the way it does. Wipe it clean and leave the dark recesses alone.

Rhodium plated pieces have a bright white protective layer. Clean them with a soft dry cloth only, and avoid polishing cloths treated with cleaning agents, which wear the plating down over time.

Need help

If a piece needs professional cleaning or repair, talk to us before trying anything drastic at home. Call or WhatsApp +91 80732 81274, or write to us from our Contact page.