Clean your silver jewelry using household products!

Silver is a beautiful precious metal that looks shiny and bright at first, but as time goes by, it may tarnish and lose its je ne sais quoi. The best way to keep your silver mostly untarnished is to wear it EVERY SINGLE DAY, but some jewelry, a chunky cocktail ring for example, can go weeks or months without being worn. When exposed to air, silver tarnishes and becomes black in some areas. Our skins oils naturally keep silver looking its best, but the jewelry you keep in a drawer likely isn't in primo condition.

I don't dare use the "C" word, but most of us have extra time on our hands these days...If there's ever been a time to get that jewelry looking as good as new, it's now!

Here's an easy, almost fun, way to clean your sterling silver jewelry using no harsh chemicals, just household products!

*CAREFUL : Do not try this with jewelry that contains pearls! Other gems and stones are fine!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Boiling water

A pinch of salt

2 tbsp Baking Soda

1 tbsp Vinegar Aluminum tray or foil-lined dish

STEP 1

• Fill a kettle or saucepan with water and make it hot! (boil it…)

• Place your silver pieces in an aluminum pan, or a glass dish lined with aluminum foil

STEP 2

• Sprinkle with 2 tbsp baking soda and a pinch of salt

• Cover with boiling water

• Slowly add 1 tbsp vinegar (at this point, the mixture will begin to bubble intensely, don't panic!)

STEP 3

• Let the pieces sit for about 5 minutes, then rotate them to ensure maximum contact with the aluminum bottom of the dish. Make sure to use wooden or plastic utensils (no ferrous metals like forks or spoons). Let them sit an additional few minutes (when the water reaches a lukewarm temperature nothing is happening anymore)

*If your silver is heavily tarnished, you may want to repeat steps 1 through 3 a second time.

STEP 4

• Remove the pieces and dry them

• If a polishing cloth is available you you, give your fresh jewelry an extra shine (alternately, rub with a microfiber cloth or a cotton t-shirt)

Tah dah!

This bracelet was blackened and grimy, and now its looking shiny and new! Let me know if you try this technique, or if you have another effective method you'd like to see me try!

Like the moon, this business is growing in phases

Well well! If you've made it to my little nook on the internet, it would appear that my website is published for all to see! This cozy little space is in its incubation phase; little more than a webpage displaying my portfolio whilst begging you to subscribe to my newsletter. With time, it will grow into a worthy and coveted business venture through which I sell my handmade art jewelry worldwide (hey listen, Minuit is all about dreaming big!)

Leaping — like the ballerina I once was — into the world of e-commerce is a scary endeavour. In fact, if creating art is a perfect environment for an introverted creative human such as myself, it turns terrifying when I take into account the mass skillset required to make it all come together : photography, public relations, ethical material sourcing, marketing, accounting, web design...don't hold your breath, the list is LONG.

Like the moon, this business is growing in phases

The thought of all things "crowdfunding" gives me the heebie jeebies. So far, my studies as a jeweller have been funded entirely through my vintage clothing brand: GunStreet Vintage. Everything, from tuition to materials and tools, has been purchased solely via the profits of my vintage fashion brand, and I've made it to phase 1, the equivalent of a New Moon if you consider the extent of the steps still required to turn Minuit into a viable career.

PHASE 1 - New Moon

In the spirit of transparency, clear as water, I'm sharing the tasks that have been checked off my list thus far.

- Purchase domain name

- Obtain business registration number

- Have a logo designed

- Create a first small series jewelry collection (by far the easiest part)

- Build/publish website

- Have photos for lookbook and products

My first small series will be available for purchase SOON! As the ebb and flow goes, all sales will fund the growth of Minuit, gently building up to phase 2! That phase will remain a secret, but if you're a curious cat know that it entails photography upgrades, legal requirements (like a makers mark stamp for international sale), and devoted marketing efforts.

Thank you for reading, following, and supporting.

Ethical makers and conscious buyers unite!