Top 7 Reasons Why Your Silver jewellery is Tarnishing

If you enjoy wearing jewelry, especially silver jewelry, you will understand how annoying it can be when your favorite items become dull and discolored and lose their shine.

This is a widespread issue that primarily affects jewelry made of silver, copper, brass, and gold.

But what causes silver jewelry to tarnish and how can you prevent it?

In this blog post, we will understand the major 7 reasons why your silver jewelry is tarnishing. We have included some advice on how to prolong the beauty of your silver jewelry.

But, before heading towards the reasons, let me clear that rusting is not the same as tarnishing which affects irons and steels.

Rusting, as we all know, is a more severe type of corrosion that results in the metal crumbling and flaking. However, tarnishing is typically only visible on the surface and does not harm the metal's structure.

What causes silver jewelry to tarnish?

Many reasons can cause jewelry tarnishing, but here are the most common ones that turn silver jewelry black:

1. Moisture: In humid climates or during the rainy season, moisture in the air can hasten the tarnishing process of your silver jewelry. Humidity can also result in condensation on your jewelry when you go from a freezing environment to a warm one, like going inside a heated building in the winter.
2. Sweat and medication: Sweat can create a moist environment that promotes tarnishing on your silver jewelry, and it contains salt, acids, and other chemicals that can react with the metals in your jewelry. For these reasons, it is best to take off your jewelry before committing to any laborious activity, such as exercise. If you are taking any medication that may cause this, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. Certain medications can change the pH level of your skin or make you sweat more than usual. This can affect how your silver jewelry reacts with the air and your skin.
3. Makeups: Scent, soap, shampoo, cream, hairspray, and makeup are just a few examples of products that can leave residues on your silver necklace and earrings that can interact with the metal or draw dirt and dust. These products can also contain ingredients that can cause or exacerbate the tarnishing of your silver jewelry.
4. Food: It is best to avoid wearing silver rings when cooking or eating certain foods, especially those that are caustic, spicy, or include sulfur. Some foods that can cause tarnishing on your silver jewelry include onions, garlic, eggs, vinegar, and citrus fruits.
5. Abrasion: When jewelry comes into contact with other jewelry, clothing, or surfaces, it can easily abrade or dent. So, make sure to store your jewelry in the jewelry box with sufficient space. Also, take extra care while wearing them especially when they could come into contact with one another or other surfaces.
6. Pollution:  Additionally, air pollution can cause tarnishing on your silver jewelry. Chemicals like sulfur dioxide and other compounds that oxidize metals can be found in contaminants like smoke, dust, pollution, and exhaust fumes. If you live in a polluted area or spend a lot of time outside, you may notice that your silver jewelry tarnishes more quickly than usual.
7. Storage: The way that you store your silver jewelry can also affect how long it lasts. Silver jewelry will tarnish more quickly in a cool, dark, and dry place than if it is left exposed to air, light, or heat. You should store your jewelry separately from one another to prevent scratches and rubbing.

Now, how can you prevent your jewelry from tarnishing?

Here are some tips on the best way to avoid tarnishing.

• Store your silver jewelry in a cool, dry, and dark place. Exposure to light, heat, and humidity can accelerate the tarnishing process of your silver jewelry

• Keep your silver jewelry in a jewelry box, a ziplock bag, or an anti-tarnish pouch that protects it from air and moisture. You can also add some anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets to absorb any excess moisture in the storage area

• Wear your silver jewelry regularly

• Avoid wearing your silver jewelry when you are swimming, showering, exercising, or doing any activities that involve water, sweat, or chemicals. These substances can corrode the metal and cause it to tarnish faster.

• Clean your silver jewelry gently and frequently. To remove any dirt, dust, or oils that may accumulate on your silver jewelry, you should clean it with a soft cloth or a mild soap and water solution.

• Avoid using abrasive cleansers, toothpaste, baking soda, or vinegar, as these can scrape or harm the silver.

• Polish your silver jewelry with a polishing cloth. These cloths are like soft wipes with a very fine cleaning powder that helps bring back the shine.

• Gently rub the cloth over the tarnished areas until they gleam again. Avoid using paper towels, tissues, or cotton balls, as these can leave fuzz or fibers that might scratch the metal.

• When wearing your silver jewelry while cooking or eating, remember that certain foods can tarnish it quickly. Eggs, vinegar, salt, and Brussels sprouts are some culprits. It's best to wash your silver jewelry right away if it comes into contact with any of these.

• Properly dried silver tarnishes less quickly. After removing moisture from the silver with a soft linen cloth, be sure to dry your silver jewelry completely with a dry cloth or blow dryer in a cool setting.

• Beauty products like face cleansers, moisturizers, hairspray, perfume, and more can also tarnish jewelry. To avoid this, always finish your morning routine before putting on your silver jewelry.

• A neat trick to reduce tarnish is to place a piece of plain white school chalk in the box or bag where you store your silver jewelry.

By understanding what causes tarnishing and following these simple tips, you can keep your silver jewelry looking bright and new for years to come. Remember, tarnishing is a natural process that happens to most metals, but it doesn't mean your silver jewelry is damaged or worthless.