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How do I get scratches out from my sterling silver bracelet?

I have a medic alert bracelet that's sterling silver. It cost quite a bit of money too! I've only had it for a month and a half and it has tons of scratches on it already. Any ideas?

Hi Jenn,,
You "can't" take scratches out.

Polishing metal is actually Removing the surrounding metal

Imagine slicing a potato in half,,,you get a nice,smooth,level surface,,right?

Then scrape a gouge across that surface.
Or even just a CUT--which doesn't remove any material,,it only parts the surface.

How can you "vanish" that surface disruption?

Only way is to shave another slice,,down to the level of the imperfection.

Thats an "exagerated illustration" to help explain how Surface Defects/Damage/etc are removed from metal.

It Does NOT "thin the metal by Half",,,but it DOES INDEED Remove Metal and will render it increasingly Thinner than Original each time it's polished.
It's also abrasive to any ornamental surface detail.

On Jewelry what happens is that polishing obviously doesn't simply "shave off a layer".

It Removes the metal AROUND the flaw,,,creating a wide,low angle DIP that blends into overall surface.


Silver is EXTREMELY soft,,,
You can actually Smudge Hi-Polished Silver with many types of common PAPER.

Scratches are almost unavoidable.

If You Get it Re-Polished,,,,
soon enough it will be scratched again.

Trying to keep it nice by Polishing will be a vicious cycle.

Best advice,,,Be VERY Careful with it,,as much as can be.
And "live with" the scratches,,as best as you can---only get it re-polished when ya just cant stand it anymore.


You can SHINE Silver Tarnish with any number of products.

But Removing scratches is a whole 'nother matter.
You Can't Remove a scratch,,only everything Around the scratch

Silver is good in "protected" applications,,Earrings,,pendants,pins,etc.

Rings,Charms,Bracelets,etc,, and anything subject to getting bumped or rubbed or coming into contact with another surface----it's almost Impossible to avoid scratches.

Something to consider:
If it's Hi Polished,,,,there's a variety of attractive finishes which tend to "hide" scratches so they dont show up so bad.
But they're all a form of "Matte" finishes,,,,
For example ,diamond cut is sparkly and will obscure pretty bad scratches.

Another thing you may consider is having it Plated in White Gold or Platinum(Rhodium).
You maintain the Silver Color,,,but the other metals are Much Harder and more scratch resistant.
It's only a FILM,,,so a hard lick would still scratch it.
But it minimizes to faint scratches quite a bit.
And it's fairly cheap.

Even if Your bracelet happens to have any enameled work on it as MedicAlert bracelets often do,,,that can be effectively "shielded",,and only the bare silver plated.

Good Luck

2007-01-03 16:17:02 by Jennifer | Posted in Cleaning & Laundry

Why does my sterling silver bracelet show black gunk after I used a cleaning solution?

I began wearing this sterling silver bracelet (markings Italy 925) that I forgot I had. I decided to get a cleaning kit (Connoisseurs Dazzling Brilliance for SS) but it looks worse than before I cleaned it. Black gunk appears to have appeared between each link and the shine is diminished. All I did was dip it and remove it. Is it fake? Am I cleaning it wrong?

i like to make jewelry as my hobby... and i use alot of sterling silver, what i found that works best is baking soda


just grab an old t shirt and pour baking soda on it then rub your jewelery clean...it works so good...that is all i use to clean sterling silver

2007-05-02 16:43:50 by mvben06 | Posted in Fashion & Accessories

How to clean sterling silver bracelet?

It's a nice sterling "return to tiffany" bracelet and it's tarnished. I didn't store in its little cloth bag and I can't find the polishing cloth, either. We don't have any sterling polish around the house, so what else can I use? Thanks in advance!

I clean all my jewelry with an old tooth brush and tooth paste.

2007-03-11 19:15:29 by WWHRD | Posted in Cleaning & Laundry

What would the price be for a Sterling silver bracelet in perfect condition be?

I only wear silver and have bought bracelets ranging from $6 (on sale at Macy's) to over $500 (slider necklace)

2008-02-12 07:26:28 by Dylan O | Posted in Fashion & Accessories

Will my sterling silver bracelet become tarnished if I go in the pool with it?

Yes it will.
Better not to try it!

2008-04-07 15:59:54 by Fredy | Posted in Fashion & Accessories

How much is an 18kt gold over sterling silver bracelet?

go 2 tj max and there like $30

2007-12-21 14:41:57 by Trisha | Posted in Fashion & Accessories

How can I clean a sterling silver charm bracelet which is turning brown and orange?

Thank you very much

Use tooth paste and a soft cloth.;)

2008-05-14 17:48:02 by cynthiaaaa :) | Posted in Cleaning & Laundry