Protect your Silver from Tarnishing
How can you prevent / slow down the tarnish, and how to clean the black tarnish from your silver pieces?
Silver jewelry develops a black coating on its surface after some time due to a chemical reaction that occurs when silver comes into contact with air and other substances.
Silver tarnish, unlike rust, it does not destroy the underlying metal and can be removed relatively easily.
How to prevent Tarnishing
Silver jewelry turns black due to reaction with so many materials found in everyday life.
For example, with tap water, a number of foods (e.g., salad dressings), your perfume and even some clothing.
However, it can be slowed down.
- clean your silver jewelry after wearing it. Oils from your skin accumulate on the surface of silver and can expose it to oxidization.
- Use warm water to wash your jewelry items, and dry them with a soft cloth.
- Regularly polishing your silver jewelry. Use a polishing cloth to clean your silver items at the first signs of tarnishing.
- you can have your silver jewelry buffed by a professional.
- Don’t forget to remove your silver rings when cooking. Also, avoid wearing your silver necklaces with wool clothing.
Clean Silver Tarnish
After your silver is already tarnished, you can use a silver polish to remove the black coating. Another option is to use a silver polishing cloth.
Or you can take your silver items to a jewelry shop to have your pieces professionally cleaned.
If you prefer to clean your silver jewelry at home, you can use a silver cleaning dip:
- Line a glass container with tin foil; pour some hot water, and add one or two tablespoons of salt and baking soda.
- Put your silver pieces in the dip, and leave them there for about five minutes.
- After the tarnish disappears, rinse your jewelry with water and dry it using a soft cloth.
Storing Silver to Delay Tarnishing
You should store you silver jewelry in a way that limits its exposure to air and humidity.
Put your silver items in sealed bags that close tightly. You can also put a silica gel bag inside, along with your jewelry. These small silica packets absorb humidity and thus help to delay tarnishing