A wedding ring is something that represents one of the most significant events in a person’s life.
Therefore, it is only natural that they would want it to last for a long time. Is a sterling silver ring one that will stand the test of time?
Sterling silver rings are generally meant to last for up to 20-30 years as long as they are well-maintained. Sterling silver rings are said to be some of the most durable ones on the market. As long as a sterling silver ring is cleaned and maintained regularly, it will last for years and years.
Want to know more? Read on for information on sterling silver rings and how to best take care of them.
If you do that, your ring will hopefully last you a lifetime!
About Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is not technically pure silver because pure silver is simply too soft to be used as jewelry.
Silver is most often mixed with an alloy such as nickel, copper, and sometimes even zinc to strengthen the metal.
This is how it becomes sterling silver.
Silver is 99.9% pure while sterling silver is about 92.5% pure.
If you can, it is advisable to purchase rings that are full sterling silver rather than sterling silver-plated rings.
Silver plating will often chip away and wear down quickly which will make the rings look far less desirable.
Wearing your ring constantly will definitely result in subsequent griminess and wear and tear.
Caring For Your Sterling Silver Ring
Sterling silver is fairly durable on its own, but if you want your ring to last for a long time, you will have to do your best to take care of it.
Thankfully, there are a variety of ways to do this. Here are some popular cleaning and maintenance methods!
First of all, you will need to keep your ring away from certain chemicals such as chlorinated water, sweat, rubber, sulfuric substances (even including eggs, mayonnaise, and latex), and even prolonged sun exposure.
Constant exposure to any of these things will cause your ring to tarnish and corrode much, much faster than it would otherwise.
To limit this, you should remove your ring when cooking, sitting out in the sun, swimming, or doing any kind of messy, hands-on activity.
Cleaning it regularly is the best thing you can do to keep your ring in excellent shape.
There are multiple ways to do this, one of which is simply using soap and water.
Giving your ring a gentle scrub with a warm, soapy rag every once in a while is a perfect way to keep it clean and shiny.
Once you have scrubbed it clean, dry off excess water, and polish it with a clean cloth.
Never EVER soak your ring in water because if you do that, it will develop rust and that is sometimes not fixable.
Soap and water should generally be your first choice, but there are a few alternatives as well.
Baking soda and water are also a prime combo for keeping your special ring clean.
Make a paste with the baking soda and some water and scrub your ring all over with it.
This is best done using a soft cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush.
If your ring has etched designs or engravings on it, you will want to use less baking soda in the paste or else thin it out with water.
If you use too much soda on an engraved ring, you might get bits of it stuck in the engravings and that will quickly get irritating.
Using lemon juice and oil is another way to clean your ring off.
The best combination is usually 1/2 cup of lemon juice and one teaspoon of olive oil.
Dip a soft, clean cloth into the mixture and wring it out the best you can.
Gently wipe around all edges of the ring with the mixture, then rinse thoroughly and polish it off with a polishing rag (if available).
Make sure not to use too much oil in the mixture because it will leave your ring greasy and slippery.
Be sure to rinse it well after you’re done cleaning it to get all the oil off.
You can also use baking soda and white vinegar.
This is generally a much stronger method of cleaning that can be used especially when your ring has huge amounts of rust on it.
Using two tablespoons of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar, soak the ring in it for at least two or three hours (vinegar doesn’t have the same effect on metal as water).
It will be pretty bubbly so make sure you are prepared for the process.
Another way to clean your sterling silver ring is to use water, aluminum foil, and baking soda.
After lining a glass roasting pan with aluminum foil, place your ring into the pan.
Next, pour boiling water over the ring until it is completely covered.
After doing that, add two tablespoons of both salt and baking soda and stir it up until both are dissolved.
After you have let the ring sit for five or ten minutes, pull it out with some tongs. Rinse and dry it and it should be good as new.
You can also try using a combination of any of these methods to ensure maximum cleanliness.
For example, you could try using water and baking soda, then lemon juice and olive oil, then finally soap and water.
Any of these options is a good choice as long as they are done correctly.
Also, you may want to keep in mind that if you start to notice any rancid odors, don’t be alarmed.
It’s just the rust and grime coming off of your ring.
You might want to open a window or something if you are sensitive to strong and unpleasant smells.
If none of these methods seems to work for you, you may want to consider getting it cleaned professionally at a jewelry shop.
This is recommended anyway, at least once in a while.
Most jewelry stores will only charge around 25-45 dollars to get a cleaning done.
However, if you get the cleaning done at the store where you purchased your ring, they will most likely do it free of charge.
