Mark Sandler

Graduate Gemologist, Jeweler, & Appraiser

Mark Sandler is a Graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, and a Jeweler with over 30 years of experience. His family business, Designer Jewels, has been designing handmade jewelry for five generations. Mark is a member of the American Society of Appraisers and the American Gem Society.

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Hacks for how to clean silver at home?
It’s probably just tarnish. Sterling silver and silver jewelry tends to tarnish over time if they aren’t regularly cleaned and stored correctly. I’d recommend not making this complicated. Just buy an anti-tarnish spray or cleaning product online and follow the directions. There are probably all kinds of hacks and tricks out there, but there are so many reputable products for this that I don’t think it’s necessary to mess around with any novel solutions.

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Co-authored Articles (8)

How to

Clean Pearls

Since ancient times, pearls have been considered a symbol of unblemished perfection. Pearls are extremely soft, though, so cleaning them when they get dirty can be tricky. The key is to know the right products to use and...

How to

Clean a Rusty Necklace

Rusty or tarnished jewelry can look dull and not quite as pretty as new jewelry. Rust looks reddish and flaky, and usually shows up on costume jewelry, while tarnish appears dull and usually affects silver jewelry. You c...

How to

Get Scratches Out of Marble

''Restore your polished marble with these wet and dry sanding tips'' Marble is a beautiful and elegant addition to a home, whether it's used as flooring, on counters or tabletops, or in decorative pieces. Unfortunately, ...

How to

Clean Copper Jewelry

Copper jewelry, even pieces that have been lacquered, can tarnish over time because of exposure to sulfides in the air, as well as humidity. Luckily, copper jewelry is easy to clean with household products. First, select...

How to

Keep Necklaces and Chains from Rusting

Rusted or tarnished metals can make chains and necklaces appear dull. To prevent your items from rusting, keep your jewelry away from humidity and water. Store the jewelry safely in an enclosed container. Regular cleanin...

How to

Clean Amethyst

Amethyst is a purple form of quartz with geodes of densely packed crystals that point toward the center. Amethyst should be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt and debris from building up on the surface. You can clean your...

How to

Clean a Necklace

When necklaces are dirty and tarnished, they lose their sparkle and shine. Luckily, it's easy to clean a necklace, no matter what it's made from. Gold, silver, pearls, and costume jewelry all require different approaches...

How to

Become a Gemologist

If you’re interested in gems, there are plenty of career opportunities in gemology, including appraisers, retail associates, lab gemologists, or jewelry designers. It can be tough, however, to figure out how to get st...