Why Does Silver Jewelry Tarnish?

In your jewelry box, there's no chance of finding costume trinkets. Your jewelry is a true extension of yourself, and you probably don't want it to tarnish and deteriorate due to poor quality. You are an absolute devotee of fine jewelry, whether in gold, silver, or diamonds, and you truly hope to see your precious collection stand the test of time.

Yet, despite all your efforts, some of your chains, rings, and even delicate bracelets have lost their sparkle and are turning black. Tarnished, you keep them out of love but hesitate to wear them. So, where does this problem come from, and how can you restore the original shine to tarnished silver jewelry? 💍

Table of contents:

• Why silver tarnishes: the cause
• How to prevent silver jewelry from tarnishing 
• A few tips to care for your silver jewelry

Why silver tarnishes: the cause 

The first thing to know is that you're definitely not to blame. This tarnishing and loss of shine in silver over time is a completely natural phenomenon. The culprit behind your troubles is a chemical reaction. Silver is a metal—no matter how precious and high-quality it is—and when exposed to certain particles in our environment, it reacts and forms a thin, dark layer of silver sulfide. As time goes by, this surface layer thickens, making the piece look visibly tarnished. 

Especially since some accessories are made from various metal alloys. Among them, copper—which is frequently found—tends to gradually oxidize when exposed to moisture and air. 

Don't panic! This in no way calls into question the quality of your precious pieces. The chemical reaction is inevitable.🧪

Nonetheless, to keep them from tarnishing or dulling, some necklaces or earrings will simply require a little more care than others. 

Now let's see what care routine to give your silver jewelry to keep it from tarnishing.

How do you prevent silver jewelry from tarnishing?

First of all, let's list the culprits behind this issue:

• Pollution, air
• Water and moisture
• Chemicals
• Hygiene and beauty products
• Sweat
• Skin contact

These factors are all responsible for dulling the sparkle of your favorite jewelry pieces. While some of these elements can be easily avoided, others, such as skin contact, are undeniably inevitable—unless you never wear your accessories. Would you really keep your gorgeous pair of diamond studs locked away just out of fear of skin contact? That would be quite a shame, don't you think?

Instead, let's see how just a few simple tips can help limit the effects of these factors or restore your jewelry's original sparkle.

1. Remove your silver jewelry before any contact with water. Washing your hands with gemstone rings on, showering with your long pendant necklace, or jumping into the pool with your cuff bracelet is strictly off-limits!
2. Take off your jewelry during physical activities. Working out means sweat, and sweat means oxidation—simple math, so take off your jewelry before breaking a sweat! 💦
3. Carefully store your collection in pretty jewelry boxes and cases tailored for it. Shielded from air—and therefore oxygen—as well as moisture and dust, you will preserve the magnificence of your pieces for longer.
4. The rhodium plating on your jewelry needs to be refreshed. Rhodium-plated silver has a thin protective layer called rhodium, which gives your jewelry its shine. It also protects it from tarnishing, but this wears off over time with frequent wear. A quick trip to your jeweler every 2 to 3 years and you're good to go.
5. Clean your silver jewelry. You love your pieces, don't you? So, like everything you love, take good care of them. 

A few tips to care for your silver jewelry

Silver sulfide (the villain behind the blackening of your piece🤬 ) is water-resistant. Water alone won't make it disappear, but you'll see that with a little elbow grease and a few ingredients we all have at home, it's super easy.

You will need at least one of the following items:

• Toothpaste
• Lemon juice
• Baking soda
• Cola soda
• White vinegar
• Marseille soap
• A toothbrush and a chamois leather or very soft cloth

The good news is you don't need to make any special purchases, since we all have at least some toothpaste at home. The bad news is that you now have zero excuses left to let your silver jewelry tarnish.

Instructions:

1. Take one of the listed ingredients and mix a few drops into water. 
2. Let your jewelry soak in this mixture for about fifteen minutes.
3. If the layer persists, take an old, soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush the surface of your item.
4. With a very soft cloth or chamois leather, dry thoroughly.
5. Rinse thoroughly and carefully with clean water. 

Pro tip: 

If your jewelry isn’t set with gemstones, place it in aluminum foil and pour salt and hot water over it. Fold it up into a small pouch and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse, dry, and admire all the beauty and sparkle of your silver jewelry. 🌟