How Long Does Sterling Silver Jewellery Last?

Sterling silver jewellery is a timeless and popular choice; however, one of the main questions around it is, “How long does sterling silver jewellery last?” The longevity of these pieces depends on factors including the quality of the metal, frequency of wear, and the care they receive. The durability of your pieces will also depend on whether the piece is plated or not.

In this blog, we’ll delve into how long sterling silver jewellery lasts, the factors that affect its longevity, and what you can do to prevent your sterling silver jewellery pieces from deteriorating.

How long does sterling silver jewellery last?

The lifespan of your silver jewellery will depend on a variety of factors, including the quality of the metal, quality of manufacturing, how often the piece is worn, the type of jewellery it is, as well as whether the piece has plating. Below is some more information on how each of these factors affects your sterling silver jewellery’s lifespan.

• Quality of manufacturing: Better quality jewellery will last longer than lower quality jewellery.
• Frequency of wear: The more frequently you wear your silver jewellery, the more likely it is to tarnish and become damaged.
• Type of jewellery: Silver bracelets and rings are more likely to tarnish, scratch, and become damaged compared to necklaces and earrings. This is due to the location of the jewellery pieces.
• Exposure to elements: Regular exposure to moisture, body oil, and heat can reduce your sterling silver jewellery’s lifespan.
• Care and maintenance: If you take better care of and maintain your silver jewellery, it is less likely to tarnish, scratch, or become damaged. Cleaning your silver jewellery piece with a soft cloth and mild dish soap will help remove moisture and body oils that cause tarnishing.
• Plating: Sterling silver that is plated will last longer than regular sterling silver. Plating on top of sterling silver jewellery acts as an additional protective layer, preventing moisture and body oils from reaching the base metal.

When you’re not wearing your sterling silver jewellery, make sure to store it in a dry, cool place away from moisture or sunlight.

925 sterling silver jewellery is durable and long-lasting, and with proper care, can last many years and be passed on from generation to generation. When your sterling silver jewellery begins to look worn down, just clean it and it will look as good as new!

How long does silver-plated jewellery last?

The lifespan of silver-plated jewellery depends on a variety of factors, including the quality of plating, how often the jewellery piece is worn, and how well it is cared for. Some factors that influence its longevity include:

• Quality of plating: Thicker and higher quality silver plating will last longer. Electroplating silver creates a more adhesive plating over the base metal compared to traditional plating.
• Frequency of wear: Silver-plated jewellery that is worn more often will wear and tarnish more quickly compared to pieces that are worn irregularly.
• Type of jewellery: Bracelets and rings that are silver-plated will wear off much quicker than necklaces or earrings. This is because bracelets and rings are generally exposed to more wear and tear.
• Exposure to elements: Exposure to sweat, heat, lotions, chemicals, perfumes, and body oil can accelerate the tarnishing of your silver-plated jewellery.
• Care and maintenance: If you take care of your silver-plated jewellery, it will last longer. This means regularly cleaning it with a soft cloth, storing the jewellery in a dry place, and avoiding contact with harsh substances.
• Base metals: The base metal used can also affect the silver plating's durability. Base metals like copper that are more prone to corrosion and tarnishing will cause the plating to wear off more quickly compared to a non-tarnishing metal like stainless steel.

With proper care, you can expect your silver-plated jewellery to last for 2-4 years. However, this also largely depends on how well you look after your pieces.

How long does gold-plated sterling silver jewellery last?

The lifespan of gold-plated sterling silver jewellery depends on the quality of the sterling silver base metal, the thickness of the plating, the plating method used, the karat of gold plating, and how often the jewellery piece is worn. Thicker layers of gold plating will last longer than thinner layers. However, over time, the gold plating can wear off and reveal the underlying sterling silver metal.

In addition, the karat of the gold used for plating also matters. Lower karats like 14k and 18k gold plating are much more durable compared to 20k or 24k gold plating. This is because the gold layer contains more non-precious metal alloys, which contribute to the plating’s durability.

You can extend the lifespan of your 18k gold-plated sterling silver jewellery with proper care and maintenance. Avoid exposing your jewellery to harsh chemicals, excess moisture, and high temperatures. You should also regularly clean off dirt and body oil using a soft cloth and mild dish soap to prevent damage to the plating.

The 18k gold layer of plating on top of sterling silver is less durable than the base metal; however, 18k gold plating can last anywhere between 2-4 years and sometimes longer with exceptional care. The base sterling silver layer is much more durable than the plating and, with proper care, can last for many years.

How long does platinum-plated silver jewellery last?

The lifespan of platinum-plated silver jewellery depends on the quality of plating, how often the jewellery piece is worn, and how well it is cared for. Some factors that influence its longevity include:

• Quality of plating: Thicker and higher quality platinum plating will last longer. Electroplating silver creates a more adhesive plating over the base metal compared to traditional plating.
• Frequency of wear: Platinum-plated silver jewellery that is worn more often will wear and tarnish more quickly compared to pieces that are worn irregularly.
• Type of jewellery: Silver bracelets and rings that are platinum-plated will wear off much quicker than necklaces or earrings. This is because bracelets and rings are generally exposed to more wear and tear.
• Exposure to elements: Exposure to sweat, heat, lotions, chemicals, perfumes, and body oil can accelerate the tarnishing of your platinum-plated jewellery.
• Care and maintenance: If you take care of your platinum-plated jewellery, it will last longer. This means regularly cleaning it with a soft cloth, storing the jewellery in a dry place, and avoiding contact with harsh substances.

With proper care, you can expect your platinum-plated jewellery to last for several months to a few years. However, this also largely depends on how well you look after your pieces.

How long does rhodium-plated sterling silver last?

Similar to the above, the longevity of your rhodium-plated sterling silver depends on the quality of plating, how often the jewellery piece is worn, and how well it is cared for. Some factors that influence its longevity include:

• Quality of plating: Thicker and higher quality rhodium plating will last longer. Electroplating rhodium creates a more adhesive plating over the base metal compared to traditional plating.
• Frequency of wear: Rhodium-plated silver jewellery that is worn more often will wear and tarnish more quickly compared to pieces that are worn irregularly.
• Type of jewellery: Silver bracelets and rings that are rhodium-plated will wear off much quicker than necklaces or earrings. This is because bracelets and rings are generally exposed to more wear and tear.
• Exposure to elements: Exposure to sweat, heat, lotions, chemicals, perfumes, and body oil can accelerate the tarnishing of your rhodium-plated silver jewellery.
• Care and maintenance: If you take care of your rhodium-plated jewellery, it will last longer. This means regularly cleaning it with a soft cloth, storing the jewellery in a dry place, and avoiding contact with harsh substances.

With proper care, you can expect your rhodium-plated silver jewellery to last for 1-2 years before it needs re-plating. However, this also largely depends on how well you look after your pieces.

Conclusion

After reading this post, you should now be aware of the factors that affect how long your sterling silver jewellery lasts. This is influenced by the quality of metals used, the type of jewellery, how well it is cared for, how frequently it is worn, and much more! With proper maintenance and storage, you can keep your sterling silver jewellery looking beautiful and brand new, and extend its lifespan.