How to Keep Silver from Tarnishing

How to Keep Silver from Tarnishing

Why does silver tarnish?

The most important thing in avoiding silver tarnish is understanding what causes it. Silver reacts to sulfur. If you know anything about this element, it's everywhere. In fact, humans have used sulfides for years! It is in the air we breathe, soil, common beauty products, smoke, fertilizers, foods, gasoline, pollution...etc. The list is so long there is no way to cover it in a blog, but trust me, it's everywhere. Some locations (ex. the beach, lakes and urban areas) have higher concentrations in the air and so silver tarnish happens even quicker in those locations. You can take many common-sense steps to store your jewelry securely and delay tarnishing.

Tarnishing Culprits To Look Out for! 

Beauty products

Hairsprays, shampoos, lotions, and perfumes are all laden with sulfates. The airborne particulates or residue on your hands will tarnish silver. Do not store your silver in your bathroom or vanity area. Do not handle jewelry with make-up or lotion on your hands. And keep jewelry out of beauty and nail salons that are pungent with product fumes.

Printed papers

Tissue paper, newspaper and many of those cute printed craft papers often use acid-based sulfur dyes. Yikes! Don't package your jewelry with these seemingly innocuous fillers.

Exhaust

Car, airplane, and machine diesel exhaust have a lot of sulfate particulates. Don't store your metals in a garage or leave them in the trunk of your car.

Rubber

This ubiquitous material is processed with sulfur and has a concentrated residue that accumulates on its surface. Rubber seals, rubber bands and some rubberized plastic solids will leach sulfur into the air.

Leather

Popular leather cords & straps used in jewelry making are tanned, just like all leathers, using sulfur-based acids. Store leather separately from your metals. Store leather necklaces with silver finding ends along with silver saver tabs to prevent blackening.

Cellophane

That crinkly clear plastic used for food packaging, gift baskets, and other applications is full of sulfur. This plastic is often used to make fold and seal baggies sold for retail packaging hang tags.

Smoke

Fireplace smoke near your jewelry can be an issue. Make sure that chimney stays clear so smoke does not fill your home.

Tips on how to keep silver chain and jewelry shiny for as long as possible.

Sterling Silver Care & Cleaning 

Here are some tips to keep your jewelry in great shape for many years:

  • Jewelry should be put on after products like lotion, perfume, & hairspray.
  • Do not wear your jewelry to swim or shower.

Tarnish is a naturally occurring reaction of the metal alloy and common elements in the air and water that surround us. All sterling silver will need to be cleaned periodically.

Use silver tarnish removal products, but take care to avoid stones and pearls.

 

 

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