Care of your silver jewellery

Silver jewellery, and particularly silver rings which are worn often are unfortunately are prone to tarnish.

Sterling silver is a mixed metal, combining pure silver (92.5%)  and copper (7.5%) and it is the copper in the silver that reacts with moisture, and sulphur in the air to create the tarnish. As such the tarnish is produced more quickly in areas with high humidity - like swimming pools.

The tarnish will also happen with different speeds on different people, due to the differing body chemistry and the environments they live in.

I did a blog post a while ago on the basics of how to keep your silver shiny.. and have since found lots of other useful info on the internet about it.

I thought this post was particularly informative on how to clean and care for sterling silver jewellery and covers everything you could possibly wish to know.

There are a lot of other websites which suggest using aluminium foil, and bicarbinate of soda - but I must admit I've not tried it yet. I'm also lucky as I got myself a super dooper ultrasonic cleaner for my workshop, which keeps all my silver nice and shiny, (and you're always welcome to get in touch about sending your jewellery for a go in it!) but I'd love to hear any of your other tips and tricks if you've got any.

To stop the tarnish building up in the first place there are lots of suggestions like not wearing your rings in the shower, or pool, or when you're cleaning etc..

Pah - I don't know about you, but I can't be doing with taking my jewellery on and off all the time.

Apart from anything else I'd forget to put it back on again.

I personally reckon the easiest solution is to keep the tarnish at bay by getting a silver polishing cloth, and giving them a quick rub every day just before you put them on. By keeping the tarnish down in that way, it should never build up to a problem level.

The birthstone for August - Peridot

There's something so special about wearing jewellery with a special meaning, and birthstones are a great example of this.

The birthstone for August is Peridot. I'm still never sure how to pronounce it.... do you know? I always assumed it was a french word and pronounce it with a silent 't' (a la merlot) but I have heard by people who should know these things that it's actually not french and should rhyme with "hot". Who knew!? A google search didn't help me much in deciding either way, so my internal jury is still out but I'd love to know what you think.

Peridot is unusual in that it is one of  the few gemstones that occur in only one colour - olive green. However, the intensity of that green varies depends on how much iron is contained within the stone. The colour of the individual peridot gems can therefore vary from a yellow green through olive to a deep brownish green.

I favour the lighter zingy yellow green; shown in these rose cut beauties...

Rose cut peridot stud earrings by Becky Pearce Designs

I must admit I don't really believe in the "talisman" effect of birthstones. You know, when the wearer supposedly gets special protection, or energies from wearing their birthstone. BUT I do love the extra thought that goes into a birthstone piece.

Peridot pendant by Becky Pearce Designs

Peridot, symbolizes strength. It is formed deep in the magma from the upper mantle and is brought to the surface by volcanic activity. And because it is therefore found in volcanic ashes, it was believed that peridot crystals were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele.

Gift Guide - Fab Friends

Perfect gifts for your favourite people. Those who you see once in a blue moon, but with whom you still click like you last saw each other yesterday. Or, those who you see or speak to everyday without fail. Either way, these are the people who you know will be there for you!

So, how to thank them...? Here's a few ideas.

A simple gemstone pendant...perfect for everyday wear.

These leaf pendants can be made with many different stones - birthstones are a favourite, and thoughtful gift.

These silver pearls are an ideal gift - they will go with everything!

And so do these bangles - in Russian wedding ring style. A real classic.

Here's to fab friends!

This months winner...

I just wanted to say congratulations to Kathy who won this months' newsletter subscriber giveaway.

This month the prize was....

..These dainty sterling silver earrings, with a glistening hammered circle holding a sterling wire wrapped jet black swarovski crystal (6mm).

I love these earrings, they're one of those designs that is perfect to dress up or down, and I've got a new batch of  swarovski crystals in a range of lovely colours - so look out for more in the shop soon (or let me know if there's a colour you'd particularly like to see!!).

Next month I'll be giving away a pair of teeny tiny stars, take a sneek preview here...  http://www.beckypearcedesigns.co.uk/beckypearceshop/prod_2378010-Fine-silver-teeny-tiny-stars.html

Yummy green amethyst....

I got some stunning green amethyst recently for a custom order, and was so pleased with them. I used them with a moss aquamarine stone to make one of my trademark silver leaf pendants. A gorgeous combination of green stones.

The amethyst was clear, and mouthwateringly beautiful, so I am thrilled to have a few extra stones to play with.

I've just teamed it with some gold wire to make these beauties... and I'm just making an oxidised sterling version. I'll load them up on the websites later. Would love to hear what you think of them.

Finally.....

Today I have been mainly

....finishing that druzy ring.

I'm loving the....

...BLING!!

Sneaky peak.....(new handmade jewellery)

Thought you might like a sneaky peak at what I'm hoping to list later today.... remember those icy crackle crystal beads I bought recently? Here they are with super shiney oxidised silver....

And those little ice cube swarovski crystals...

Hope I get around to listing them today, it's been a busy weekend. Chloe was 6, so we had a mad party on Saturday. Lots and lots of fun, followed by cosy evening getting over it.

Phew.