Silver Tarnish

by RB Diamond Jewellers Jun 09, 2021 0 Comment

Are you noticing that your silver jewellery turns black over time? 

If yes, it means you are experiencing silver tarnish. Not to worry, all silver jewellery tarnishes over time. While tarnishing can be annoying, it is relatively easy to remove once you know what exactly it is. 

Why, silver tarnish?

Sterling silver jewellery is timeless jewellery that can last a lifetime. Over time, any sterling silver jewellery piece exposed to air will tarnish. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy, typically copper. It’s the other metals, primarily copper, that cause sterling silver to tarnish. 

The copper reacts to moisture and sulphur in the air, causing the tarnishing reaction. Silver tarnishes faster in areas with high humidity and air pollution. Chemicals like hairspray, perfume, deodorant, body lotion, bleach, etc., can speed up the tarnishing process.

How fast does silver tarnish?

The rate at which silver tarnishes depends upon the product under which the metal is placed. Wearing the jewellery and exposing it to sweat, lotions, perfumes, colognes, soaps, and other chemical exposures can speed up or slow down the tarnishing process. It can begin to turn black in just a few days or can even take many months or years.

How to clean tarnished silver at home?

One of the popular ways to clean tarnished silver is using a jewellery polishing cloth or jewellery cleaning liquids. Polishing cloths are pieces of fabric that have polishing paint embedded into the fabric to make it slightly abrasive. It allows the silver sulphide to be buffed off the piece of jewellery, leaving it with a subtle shine!

Why should you clean your silver jewellery?

It is very much necessary to clean your silver jewellery to prevent it from tarnishing.Polished Silver is usually suitable for everyday wear unless it is a fragile design. It can be cleaned with a silver cleaning cloth. More difficult or stubborn tarnishing may require use of a commercial cleaning metal polish or silver foam. Here are some tips on how to help prevent and cleaning tarnishing on your silver jewellery.

• Store your sterling silver jewellery in a cool, dark place away from sources of sunlight, heat and moisture. There are certain special fabrics, bags, and boxes that are made for storing jewellery that will inhibit the formation of tarnish
• Using a polishing cloth will not only help your jewellery tarnish more slowly, but it will also help keep the shine on the piece much longer. Use it once or twice a week.
• If the polishing cloth doesn’t remove all the tarnish, use Silver Cleaning Liquid solution/Spray, Dip/Spray and use soft bristle brush to clean then rinse with water and let the jewellery completely dry with the help of hair dryer for quick result. Do not use silver dip for oxidised silver as this can remove the oxidation.It is best to clean oxidised silver with a soft cleaning cloth or wash with warm soapy water. 

Please click the link below for Silver Anklet Cleaning Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qfAdA04WcE

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WfcBncVY8Q