Silver Care Guide
ShailPiya — The House of Silver
Caring for your silver
Sterling silver is a living metal. Worn close to the skin and shaped by hand, each piece carries the warmth of the karigar who made it — and, with a little care, it only grows more beautiful with the years.
A gentle tarnish over time is natural, and entirely reversible. This guide will help you keep your ShailPiya pieces bright, and pass them on for generations to come.
Everyday wear
The simplest habits protect silver best. As a rule of thumb: last thing on, first thing off.
- Apply perfume, lotion, and makeup before putting your jewellery on, and let them dry fully.
- Remove your pieces before bathing, swimming, sleeping, exercising, or cleaning the house.
- Keep silver away from sweat, sea water, and chlorine — they dull and corrode the finish.
- Put jewellery on as the final step of dressing, and take it off first when you return home.
Storing your pieces
How you store silver between wears matters more than anything else.
- Keep each piece dry and away from open air — a sealed pouch or a lined box slows tarnish dramatically.
- Store pieces separately so chains don't tangle and harder stones don't scratch softer silver.
- Tuck an anti-tarnish strip or a small silica-gel sachet into your box to absorb moisture.
- Keep your jewellery in the soft ShailPiya pouch it arrived in — it's made to protect.
Gentle cleaning at home
For most pieces, a soft touch is all that's needed.
- After wearing, wipe each piece with a soft, lint-free cloth to lift away oils and moisture.
- For light tarnish, use a dedicated silver polishing cloth, working in straight, gentle strokes.
- For plain silver only: a quick bath in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, a soft brush around detailing, then rinse and pat completely dry.
- Never leave silver to air-dry — trapped water is what leaves spots and speeds tarnish.
Oxidized & stone-set jewellery
Many ShailPiya pieces are oxidized — the soft blackened depth in the detailing is intentional, and part of their character. Stone-set, kundan, glass, and pearl pieces need a little extra gentleness too.
- Avoid silver dips and abrasive polishes on oxidized pieces — they strip away the very finish that gives them their antique soul.
- Clean oxidized jewellery by simply wiping with a dry, soft cloth. Do not scrub.
- Keep water and liquids away from set stones, glass, kundan, and pearls — moisture can loosen settings over time.
- For these pieces, skip soaking entirely; a barely-damp cloth on the metal alone is enough.
Best avoided
- Swimming pools and chlorinated or salt water
- Direct contact with perfume, deodorant, and hairspray
- Household cleaners, bleach, and other harsh chemicals
- Ultrasonic cleaners on oxidized or stone-set pieces
- Storing silver loose in humid bathrooms or open trays
A note on tarnish
Tarnish is not damage — it is simply silver responding to the world around it, and a quiet sign that your piece is real sterling. A gentle polish brings the shine back, every time.
When in doubt, ask us
For heavily tarnished, intricate, or precious pieces — or if you're ever unsure — please reach out before cleaning. We're always glad to guide you, and to help your silver last a lifetime.