A brilliance and presence that only deepens with time. What to know to enjoy your silver accessories for years to come

Silver accessories catch the light softly, giving off a gentle, understated charm.

They can be worked in many different ways, resulting in beautiful textures,

they are a material that lets you enjoy how it changes over time,

and they tend to be relatively affordable…

Silver accessories have all these appealing qualities, but

if you leave them alone for a while, they can tarnish and lose their shine.

Here is what's worth knowing in order to enjoy your silver accessories for a long time—

the characteristics of the material, along with some checkpoints to keep in mind when wearing it.

What is sterling silver?

Generally speaking, the material used for silver accessories

is often described as "Silver 925" or "sterling silver."

This is because the silver content is 92.5%.

As for the remaining 7.5%, it's made up of other metals, such as copper.

Silver is a very soft material that scratches easily,

so pure 100% silver isn't well suited to accessories or tableware meant for everyday use.

For this reason, Silver 925, which is stronger, has a fine luster, and is well suited to casting, has become the standard material for accessories.

The word "sterling," as in sterling silver,

originated in England sometime around the 12th to 13th century.

This name is said to derive from the person who introduced the method of minting silver coins to England.

Since the silver content of the coins at that time (known as its "fineness") was 92.5%,

silver of that same content is still called sterling silver today.

England only minted coins of this high 92.5% fineness for a short period,

and afterward the coins were reportedly replaced for a while by ones of lower fineness.

Even so, the official name of the British currency (the pound) remains "Pound Sterling" to this day.

From this historical background, the word "sterling"

has come to be used to mean "genuine" or "trustworthy."

Of course, 100% pure silver does exist as a material,

but it is sterling silver—born of that exquisite 92.5% balance—

that has come to be regarded as the one worthy of trust. There's something quite profound about that.

Understanding what causes tarnish
 

Have you ever left a silver accessory alone for a while, only to find it had turned black?

Has that ever happened to you?

It's easy to assume it has rusted, but

strictly speaking, this is a metallic reaction called "sulfidation."

Rust is a reaction (oxidation) that occurs when metal is exposed to oxygen,

but gold and silver are naturally quite resistant to oxidation. This is why many products that use metals prone to rusting

are only plated with gold or silver on the surface.

The main reason silver tarnishes is that when sulfur vapor or similar substances are present in the air,

silver reacts with those components to form a compound. (This is called sulfidation.)

When it comes to sulfur, the first thing that comes to mind is hot springs.

This varies depending on the type of hot spring, but

if you accidentally soak in a hot spring while wearing silver earrings,

you might find them turned completely black a few days later—so be careful.

Contact with chlorine causing a chemical reaction is another cause of the silver's surface turning black.

To keep silver accessories from being exposed to air,

some people store them in resealable plastic bags with good intentions,

but in rare cases this actually causes the silver to tarnish even more.

This is because the plastic bag contained chlorine-based components.

In our everyday lives, chlorine components are actually found in many places—

pool water, clothes that have undergone chlorine-based cleaning, and so on.

You don't need to be overly nervous about either sulfur or chlorine, but

as a routine maintenance method to prevent tarnishing,

the best approach is simply "wipe and polish it often."

After wearing your piece, give it a quick polish with a soft cloth.

If you wear it regularly, you'll notice changes in color more easily,

so rather than tucking away your favorite silver accessories for long stretches of time,

why not make a habit of wearing them regularly and enjoying the styling they bring?

When you notice tarnish or surface grime,

take care of it using a silver-specific polish or cleaning cloth.

Silver care kit (tin type) — the image shows the previous packaging.

For example, the silver care kit from TOWNTALK

comes with 8 dedicated wet wipes and 1 silver polish cloth, all packed in a tin case—

a complete care set dedicated to silver. With this one set, you can remove grime and polish the surface in a single step.

As you can see from the photos, the tarnish on the surface comes off beautifully,

restoring the piece's shine.

TOWNTALK was founded in Victorian-era England in the early 1890s,

and is a long-established maker of cleaners for precious metals and household items. 

Beyond silver, they offer cleaning products suited to a variety of materials, including gold and pearl,

making them perfect for whenever you want to care for your accessories yourself.

Whether using TOWNTALK or another brand, when cleaning accessories

with polish or a cleaning cloth, it's a good idea to first test it on an inconspicuous spot

Check for changes in color and surface quality before caring for and polishing the entire piece.

How to Wear a Bangle

A bangle makes a strong statement all on its own, simply worn around the wrist.

Earrings and necklaces are wonderful too, of course,

but a bangle with its slightly hard-edged impression brings just the right amount of tension to a feminine outfit,

and a bangle with a large decorated surface is the perfect item for

fully appreciating the texture, luster, and beauty of pattern unique to silver.

Worn alone, it gives a delicate impression; stacked two at a time, it gains presence.

To wear a bangle, stretch your arm out vertically and slide the opening over your wrist,

then, once it's past your wrist, wear it by giving it a slight turn.

Wearing it loosely near the palm,

or fitting it snugly higher up, closer to the elbow—

the impression changes depending on where you wear it.

Wearing It Like a Charm

Among silver accessories, there are many pieces you'll want to cherish for years, like a charm.

The silver bangle introduced here today is one such piece.

The Native Americans, the indigenous peoples of America,

have created jewelry, pottery, and crafts, passing their techniques down to new generations.

FIRST AMERICAN TRADERS,

founded in 1974 in Gallup, New Mexico,

has continued selling jewelry handmade by Native American artists ever since.

Silver ornamentation was originally introduced to the regions where Native Americans lived in the 19th century,

and silver jewelry, with its intricate cutting and patterning techniques, became popular the world over.

FIRST AMERICAN TRADERS

creates its work with the belief that

the long-held tradition of Native American design in silver jewelry should be passed on to future generations.

An Accessory That Craves Company

What did you think of our story about silver accessories?

Silver is a material that, once you truly understand the cause of its tarnish and give it the proper care,

can be enjoyed for years while you watch it change with age.

What's truly a shame is when a silver accessory is left tucked away for years

and loses its shine as a result.

Silver, it seems, must be the type that craves company.

Being a relatively soft metal, it may bend slightly or pick up small scratches.

Even those scratches are worth treasuring, as marks of the affection you've shown it.

We hope you'll wear it as an accessory to enjoy every day.