Jewelry that is made from silver, copper and brass can tarnish. Tarnish is the discoloration caused from the oxidation that occurs when some metals are exposed to air. Fortunately, tarnish does not harm your rings and can be cleaned in just minutes. If you own antique or fragile rings or any with loose settings, talk to a jewelry specialist before cleaning so you do not damage the ring in any way.

Silver Rings

To clean a tarnished silver ring, first add a few drops of mild dish soap to a small bowl of warm water. Then dip a soft cloth in it and rub it onto your ring. Do not use abrasive cloths or paper towels as they could scratch the silver surface of your ring. Then, rinse the ring in cold water and dry with another soft clean cloth. This process will clean any dirt and grime off your silver ring. You are now ready to remove the tarnish.

Make a paste with baking soda and water. Usually, this consists of three parts baking soda and one part water. Then apply the baking soda to a clean soft cloth and rub the ring to remove the tarnish. When the rag turns gray, use a different area of the rag. You can use a cotton swab as necessary to get into the nooks and crannies. When finished, rinse the ring thoroughly in cold water and buff it dry with a soft clean cloth.

Copper or Brass Rings

If your ring is made from copper or brass, pour enough white vinegar in a container to cover your rings. Add about a teaspoon of salt. Swirl your rings around and you will start to notice the tarnish disappear within a minute. Rinse with cold water and dry with a clean soft cloth.