cleaning sterling sliver

Take a look at the right most earring above.  That's what sterling sliver is supposed to look like and the other 3 on the left are tarnished and dark. It's weird. Sometimes my sterling sliver earrings stay nice and shiny and other ones get tarnished super quick. I use a polishing cloth for bigger sterling silver accessories like rings but for delicate earrings it could take a long time and potentially bend the pieces. To clean your tarnished sterling silver jewelry at once use the following method. (**Disclaimer: make sure your pieces are really sterling sliver and that the other chichis on them can withstand boiling water.)

1. Gather your tarnished rings, earrings, necklaces, whatever. Line a heat proof container with foil while you boil some water (I used my electric kettle). I used a plastic bowl. Place your jewelry on top of the foil.

2. Lightly cover your jewelry with baking soda.

3. Pour the boiling water to cover the jewelry. Use plastic or wooden chopsticks to move the jewelry around so that all the silver touches the foil. (The sulfur smell of rotten eggs is normal) 

4. Rinse your jewelry and dry. All done!