Silver tarnish looks the same on a spoon as it does on a ring, but the right product depends on what the piece is made of and whether it has stones. A polish that's fine on flatware can be wrong for a diamond ring, and some cleaners aren't meant for gold at all. The three products below each suit a different job, so the choice comes down to what you're cleaning.
Start with the metal, then check whether the piece has gemstones. Read what the maker says the product is not for, since that is where most mistakes happen. Then match the product to the piece in front of you.
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3 products
Our picks at a glance
- Weiman Gold & Diamond 3-in-1 Jewelry Cleaner WipesBest overall for silver jewelrySilver jewelry with diamonds or sapphires · Gold, platinum and silver pieces · Small jewelry you can wipe by handCheck price of Weiman Gold & Diamond 3-in-1 Jewelry Cleaner Wipes on Amazon
- Weiman Silver PolishBest for silverware and antiquesSterling silver and silver plate · Silverware and fine antique silver · Silver jewelry without gemstonesCheck price of Weiman Silver Polish on Amazon
- Wright's Silver CreamBest for jewelry with gemstonesSilver jewelry with diamonds or gemstones · Sterling silver and antique silver · Pewter, chrome and stainless steelCheck price of Wright's Silver Cream on Amazon
Best overall for silver jewelry
1. Weiman Gold & Diamond 3-in-1 Jewelry Cleaner Wipes
Weiman Gold & Diamond 3-in-1 Jewelry Cleaner Wipes
The 3-in-1 wipes clean, remove tarnish and help prevent it reforming on gold, platinum, titanium, silver, brass, copper and aluminum. The maker also lists gemstones, including diamonds and sapphires, which is why these are the top pick for silver jewelry with stones. Check the metal on your piece against that list before you start.
Best for
- Silver jewelry with diamonds or sapphires
- Gold, platinum and silver pieces
- Small jewelry you can wipe by hand
Best for silverware and antiques
2. Weiman Silver Polish
Weiman Silver Polish
Weiman Silver Polish is made for all silver, including sterling silver, silver plate, jewelry and fine antique silver. The maker describes it as non-scratch and says it removes and prevents tarnish. It is the broadest choice here for a mixed collection of silver, from everyday flatware to antiques.
Best for
- Sterling silver and silver plate
- Silverware and fine antique silver
- Silver jewelry without gemstones
Best for jewelry with gemstones
3. Wright's Silver Cream
Wright's Silver Cream
Wright's Silver Cream is ammonia-free, and the maker says it's fine for jewelry with diamonds or gemstones. It is made for sterling silver, silver plate, antique silver and flatware, and it also lists pewter, chrome, fiberglass, porcelain and stainless steel. The maker says it leaves a coating that slows re-tarnishing.
Best for
- Silver jewelry with diamonds or gemstones
- Sterling silver and antique silver
- Pewter, chrome and stainless steel
Match the product to the job
How to choose
Silver jewelry with stones
Rings, pendants and earrings with diamonds or sapphires need a product the maker says is safe for stones. The Gold & Diamond wipes list gemstones, including diamonds and sapphires, and Wright's Silver Cream is fine for jewelry with diamonds or gemstones.
Weiman Silver Polish is the one to skip on stones, because the maker advises against using it on gemstones or diamonds. For most stoned silver, the wipes are the first pick and the cream is the alternative.
Sterling silverware and antiques
Flatware, serving pieces and fine antique silver are the job Weiman Silver Polish is built for, since the maker lists all silver, sterling silver, silver plate and antiques. Shake it well, rub it on with a soft cloth or towel, and buff to a shine.
Wright's Silver Cream also covers sterling and antique silver, so it's a good second choice if you want a cream. Wash any food-contact items in hot soapy water before they're used with food.
Mixed metals and small pieces
If your jewelry is a mix of gold, platinum, silver and other metals, the Gold & Diamond wipes list all of them in one product. Wipe the piece in a circular motion, rinse with warm water, and buff dry.
Keep Wright's Silver Cream away from gold, because the maker says it is not for gold. Wear eye protection and gloves with the wipes, since the safety sheet says they cause serious eye damage.
Chrome, pewter and stainless steel
Wright's Silver Cream is the pick when the job goes beyond silver, since the maker also lists pewter, chrome, fiberglass, porcelain and stainless steel. Rub it on with the enclosed sponge or a clean cloth and rinse with ambient water.
Weiman Silver Polish and the Gold & Diamond wipes don't list chrome, pewter or stainless steel among their metals. Test a hidden spot first, since the maker's list is the only guide you have for these surfaces.
Use it safely
Test any product in a hidden spot before you treat the whole piece, since no list covers every finish. Never mix these products with each other or with other cleaners, and use one at a time.
The Gold & Diamond wipes call for eye protection and protective gloves, and Wright's Silver Cream calls for chemically resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles. Use adequate ventilation with all three.
Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or other acids, ammonia or rubbing alcohol. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
Would a home method do?
A home method can be enough for silver that is only lightly dulled, and it saves buying a product for a small job. Pieces with stones, and any rust on silver, are where the maker's directions matter most.
How we chose
Every product here earned its place on fit, not on who pays: it is made for this job by its maker's own description, its maker doesn't warn against the surfaces this list covers, and its directions agree with the methods in our stain guides. We put the clearest, best-documented products first and limit each brand to two picks. Our editorial standards.
We compared each pick on its maker's product page, label and safety data sheet. Prices and photos come directly from Amazon and can change. Sources for each pick:
Questions
Which silver tarnish remover is the best overall?
Weiman Gold & Diamond 3-in-1 Jewelry Cleaner Wipes are the top pick, because they are made for silver and gold jewelry with gemstones. Weiman Silver Polish is the better choice for silverware and fine antique silver. Pick by what you're cleaning, not by brand.
Can I use silver polish on diamonds?
Not with Weiman Silver Polish, since the maker advises against using it on gemstones or diamonds. Wright's Silver Cream and the Gold & Diamond wipes both list diamonds or gemstones among the things they are made for. Check the maker's directions before you use any product on a stoned piece.
Is tarnish remover safe for gold?
The Gold & Diamond wipes list gold among the metals they are made for. The maker says Wright's Silver Cream is not for gold, so use the wipes for gold pieces instead. Wear eye protection and protective gloves with the wipes, since the safety sheet says they cause serious eye damage.
Can I use tarnish remover on chrome or stainless steel?
Wright's Silver Cream lists chrome and stainless steel among the metals it is made for, along with pewter and porcelain. Weiman Silver Polish and the Gold & Diamond wipes don't list those metals. Test a hidden spot first, since no product covers every finish.
Is silver polish safe to use on flatware for food?
Weiman Silver Polish is made for all silver, and the maker says to wash food-contact items in hot soapy water before use with food. Keep the polish away from your skin and eyes while you work. Use adequate ventilation, since the safety sheet advises against breathing the vapor or mist.
Do I need gloves or ventilation?
Yes, and it differs by product, though all three call for adequate ventilation. The Gold & Diamond wipes call for eye protection and protective gloves, and Wright's Silver Cream calls for chemically resistant gloves and safety glasses or goggles. Weiman Silver Polish recommends safety glasses or goggles, and all three call for adequate ventilation.
Can I clean silver at home without a product?
A home method can be enough for silver that is only lightly dulled, and it avoids buying a product for a small job. Rust on silver needs a professional evaluation, as the maker of Wright's Silver Cream advises. Pieces with stones are where the maker's directions matter most.