They both tarnish eventually, so why bother? Also, can the tarnish be removed? After just a couple months, my bracelets look so dingy . So dissapointed.....):
2007-03-23 11:21:36 · 7 answers · asked by sassy 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Base metal (the cheaper stuff) often flakes off and your jewelry is ruined.
You can buy a silver polishing cloth at most stores (like Target, etc) and cleaning up your jewelry is easy.
Store your jewelry in zip lock bags after you polish them and they will stay shiney a long time.
I offer Sterling because people like having a REAL metal that will last. I can't offer 14K , it's just too expensive for my customer base.
2007-03-23 15:13:00 · answer #1 · answered by Sharon P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use a silver polish cleaner and it will clean your jewelry right up. The advantage of using precious instead of base metals: If you want to sell it, it has a much wider appeal and value. And for making earrings and working with wire, the precious metals bend a lot easier are much nicer to work with. Also back to the tarnishing, Base metals turn (which I'm pretty sure you can't clean them) While sterling just tarnishes (which cleans up right away).
2007-03-23 11:27:34 · answer #2 · answered by indiegirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the larger discount stores, like KMart, WalMart, and Target, carry a great silver jewelry cleaner. It's under $5.- a jar, and lasts over a year. It's in a grey plastic jar and is sold in the jewelry department. It's specifically made to dip-clean sterling silver jewelry. I've used it regularly and haven't found anythng better.
Better metals last better, even though they need cleaning. Check out www.sfjssantafe.com for good prices on real silver and othermetals for making jewelry. They're my favorite supplier.
2007-03-23 12:23:46 · answer #3 · answered by thejanith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can clean your silver with silver polish, the easiest is to use a silver polish cloth, it already has the cleaner in the cloth. Air oxidizes the silver and that's why it turns. You can buy the clothes at some grocery stores but if you don't have them in your store, you can get them from Bed Bath & Beyond. If your jewelry is all silver, without any stones, you can use Tarnex. I love the color of silver, so I use gold or silver in my jewelry. Don't worry, your silver will look good as new.
2007-03-23 11:33:28 · answer #4 · answered by leslie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be advantageous to use real silver/gold because if you or the person who will be using it is allergic to nickel they could have a reaction to the fake stuff. Silver polish (or even toothpaste) can be helpful in cleaning away the tarnish. If all else fails, you might take your jewelry to a jeweler for a professional cleaning.
2007-03-23 11:25:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are sadly mistaken, sterling silver will tarnish, but 14k and above gold will never tarnish. just wiping it down with a cloth will restore its luster. I have been wearing two 14k white gold toe rings, one one each foot, for about a year new, and they were subjected to body acid from sweat, worn with closed shoes, and in the summer when I wear sandals, the elements. The are still as shiny and brilliant as the day I put them on.
2007-03-23 11:29:35 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I'm not an expert but with earrings, sterling silver or gold don't irritate my ears as much, and i believe you can get special jewelry polish
2007-03-23 11:25:50 · answer #7 · answered by Abbey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋