Spoiler alert: Yes, sterling silver does, in fact, tarnish. But why does this happen? And do you have to protect against it? Let’s dive into the world of sterling silver and uncover the facts about tarnish.
Why Sterling Silver Tarnishes
This beautiful metal alloy, typically made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper or nickel, boasts many positive qualities, from its lustrous, silvery-white sheen to its durability, which makes it an excellent choice for everyday wear. Despite these positive qualities of sterling silver jewelry, one factor that may be seen as a downfall is its susceptibility to tarnishing. From fancy dinner utensils to beautiful necklaces, the luster of sterling silver will tarnish over time.
Sterling silver tarnish is a dark, often black, discoloration that forms on the surface of silver jewelry over time. While most people associate silver tarnish with a dark patina, it can also appear green. This occurs when the copper alloy in sterling silver reacts with chemicals, causing a green discoloration on the jewelry and your finger if you wear a sterling silver ring. So, what exactly causes that unsightly tarnish to creep onto your beloved silver pieces? In short, it’s a chemical reaction between silver and sulfur. Many culprits contribute to this reaction.
- Hydrogen sulfide: This gas is present in the air, especially in urban areas with pollution. When sulfur-containing gases come in contact with silver, the silver discolors, forming a dark surface layer of tarnish.
- Sweat and body oils: Our bodies produce natural oils and acids that can react with silver, leading to tarnish. This is especially true for sterling silver jewelry that’s worn frequently.
- Household chemicals: Common household products like cleaning agents, hairspray and perfume contain chemicals that can speed up the tarnishing process.
- Storage conditions: Improper storage can accelerate tarnish. Exposure to light, humidity and air can all contribute to the problem.
How to Prevent Sterling Silver from Tarnishing
Preserving the luster of your sterling silver pieces requires some care and attention. Following a few simple steps can significantly reduce the rate at which tarnish develops, allowing your silver to shine for years. Here are some things to know about protecting your precious sterling silver against tarnish.
Store it properly.
The enemy of silver is air and moisture. Store your silver jewelry in airtight containers or bags. Using anti-tarnish strips or silica gel packets can help absorb moisture. Individually wrapping pieces in acid-free tissue paper can also help prevent scratches.
Keep it dry
Water is a major culprit in tarnishing. Remove your silver jewelry before showering, swimming or doing dishes. Wipe it gently with a soft cloth after wearing it.
Avoid exposing it to chemicals
Household cleaning chemicals like chlorine (bleach) and ammonia can accelerate tarnish. Remove your silver jewelry before working with these chemicals and also before applying lotions, perfumes or hairspray.
Limit exposure to air
While complete isolation is impossible, reducing your silver's exposure to air can slow down tarnish. Consider storing your pieces in a dark, cool place.
Take extra care of larger and more intricate pieces
Jewelry with more intricate designs and crevices can trap moisture, dirt and oils, accelerating the tarnishing process. Additionally, pieces with a larger surface area are more exposed to the elements, increasing their likelihood of tarnishing. Sterling silver that comes into frequent contact with skin, such as rings and bracelets, may tarnish faster due to exposure to body oils and sweat.
Limit handling of tarnish-causing foods
Sterling silver jewelry's tarnishing process can increase when exposed to foods that have a higher concentration of sulfur, such as members of the cabbage and onion families. Remove your jewelry when handling such foods or clean it immediately.
Clean regularly
Regular cleaning, especially before storing, can help stave off tarnish and keep your sterling silver shining longer.
Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry
Whether or not your sterling silver has started to tarnish, you should still clean it from time to time. For lightly tarnished pieces, the following cleaning method should do the trick.
- Fill a bowl with water and mix in a few drops of dish soap.
- Place silver jewelry in the suds mixture and let soak for up to five minutes.
- Use a toothbrush to clean any nooks and crannies.
- Rinse under cold water, then dry it with a soft, clean cloth.
For heavily tarnished silver jewelry, especially silver chains, the aluminum foil cleaning method creates a chemical reaction by having the silver sulfide (tarnish) interact with aluminum. In effect, the sulfur atoms from the tarnish are transferred to the aluminum. Note: Do not use this method if your jewelry contains gemstones or is finished with a coating or sealant.
- Boil 1-4 cups water.
- Line a bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up and pour in the boiling water.
- Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water in the bowl; let it bubble.
- Place silver jewelry on top of the aluminum liner in the bowl of bubbling water.
- Soak for two to five minutes (or up to 10 minutes if needed).
- Remove the jewelry with a spoon or pair of tongs; rinse under cold water.
- Dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Beauty in the Breakdown: A Different Perspective on Sterling Silver Tarnish
Sure, tarnish sometimes gets a bad reputation. However, this unique look is considered beautiful and appealing to some audiences.
- Vintage and Bohemian aesthetics: Many appreciate the vintage look that tarnished silver can give. It's often associated with a romantic, nostalgic feel. Pieces like bold, chunky statement necklaces, bangle bracelets, bold hoop earrings, finger rings and brooches may be worn with visible tarnish to achieve this vintage style. Similarly, the Bohemian style is often characterized by its free-spirited, eclectic, and unconventional nature, embracing imperfections and natural elements, including tarnished silver.
- DIY tarnish: While some owners of sterling silver jewelry are taking steps to prevent or slow down the tarnishing process, others may be taking steps to accelerate it. Placing sterling silver in an airtight container with a recently cooked, peeled, and cut hardboiled egg exposes the jewelry to the sulfur naturally present in eggs, causing the silver to begin tarnishing within hours.
Debunking Sterling Silver Tarnish Myths
You can’t trust everything you read online. It's essential to separate fact from fiction to care for your sterling silver pieces effectively. Many people believe that storing silver wrapped in newspaper prevents tarnish. However, it's recommended that you wrap sterling silver jewelry in acid-free tissue paper, silver cloth, or unbleached cotton muslin instead before storing it in a plastic bag.
Another common misconception is that frequent polishing will prevent tarnish. However, excessive polishing can actually damage the metal's surface. A good general rule is to polish sterling silver only a few times a year when tarnish appears. However, you may need to do it more often if your silver tarnishes quickly due to frequent wearing or environmental factors.
Protect Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
Proper storage and cleaning are great ways to protect your beautiful sterling silver jewelry. Another way is by insuring it against loss, damage or theft with a personal jewelry insurance policy from Jewelers Mutual. While many choose to use homeowners insurance to insure their jewelry, there are drawbacks when compared to dedicated jewelry insurance. Click below to check your rate.
