Sterling silver naturally changes with air, moisture, skin products and wear. A darker surface does not mean the metal has failed. It is usually tarnish, and a soft polishing cloth can bring the shine back.
A breathing pendant needs one extra kind of care: the open channel should also be rinsed and dried.
After regular use
Rinse the pendant in clean lukewarm water. Let the water run through the channel rather than only over the outside. Shake out the excess and leave it where air can circulate until it is fully dry.
Do not put a damp pendant straight into a closed pouch. Trapped moisture slows drying and can make the surface tone faster.
When the silver darkens
Use a clean silver polishing cloth on the exterior. Work gently across the flat surfaces and around the raised rims. The cloth may turn dark as it lifts tarnish; that is normal.
Avoid aggressive rubbing at the lip opening. You want to clean the surface, not change the edge or push polishing residue into the channel.
A mild wash
When rinsing alone is not enough, use a small amount of mild, unscented dish soap in lukewarm water.
- Wash your hands first.
- Dilute a drop of soap in a bowl of water.
- Move the pendant gently through the water and let the solution pass through the channel.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
- Dry the outside with a soft lint-free cloth, then air-dry the channel completely.
What to avoid
- Bleach, chlorine and harsh household cleaners
- Abrasive toothpaste or scouring powders
- Sharp wire, needles or rigid tools inside the channel
- Boiling water
- Ultrasonic cleaning unless a jeweller has confirmed it is suitable for the exact construction
- Sleeping, swimming or showering with the chain when avoidable
Storage
Keep the dry pendant in its soft pouch away from humid bathrooms. Store the chain loosely rather than tightly knotted around the pendant. If you will not wear it for a while, a small anti-tarnish tab in the storage area can reduce exposure.
Hygiene and sharing
Because the pendant touches the lips, treat it as a personal object. If another person uses it, wash, rinse and dry it first. Do not share it when either person is unwell.
The included polishing cloth is for the silver exterior; it does not replace rinsing the open channel.