Nothing can dim the light that shines from within - Maya Angelou
UNDERSTANDING WHY YOUR SILVER TARNISHES
Silver is an alloyed metal, normally made of 92.5% pure silver and other metals. Silver is a popular metal because of its affordability and malleability, but it also tarnishes quickly because of its composition.
If you’re looking at a piece of jewelry that is darkened or appears dirty, then your silver has tarnished; but, there’s no need to neglect this piece or get rid of it!
Tarnish is simply the result of a chemical reaction with oxygen or sulfur particles in the air. With a few easy-to-follow tips, you can take care of your silver jewelry and make it last for years to come
Wear it often
Believe it or not, your skin’s natural oils will help keep silver jewelry shiny. One of the easiest ways to prevent tarnish is to simply wear your silver often as opposed to letting it sit in a jewelry box unworn.
Remove during household chores:
Substances with additional sulfur like household cleaners, chlorinated water, perspiration, and rubber will accelerate corrosion and tarnish. It’s a good idea to remove silver completely before cleaning.
Keep out of direct sunlight:
Before you hit the beach or pool, be sure to remove your silver jewelry. Sunlight can cause silver to tarnish as well.
Put your jewelry on last:
For generations, women have been putting their jewelry on last and that’s for good reason! Lotions, makeups, hair spray and perfumes will accelerate tarnishing.
HOW TO PROPERLY STORE YOUR SILVER JEWELRY
Use an air-tight container:
Any container can be used to store your silver, as long as its air-tight. Zip-lock bag are great, but you can also find specialty jewelry bags for a more attractive option.
Keep in a cool, dark place:
As mentioned earlier, sunlight, heat and moisture accelerate tarnishing. Be sure to keep your silver in a cool, dark place
Store pieces individually
Storing your pieces separately prevents any chance of jewelry scratching or tangling with each other.
Consider anti-tarnish strips:
You can throw in some anti-tarnish strips with your jewelry to help prevent tarnishing.
Do not store in paper, cardboard, or cotton-filled boxes:
These boxes may contain traces of sulfur which will contribute to tarnishing.
PRODUCTS THAT HELP PREVENT TARNISH
There are a few other things you may try when looking for ways to prevent your silver jewelry from tarnishing.
- Store jewelry with chalk: If you throw a few pieces of chalk in with your silver, the chalk will absorb the moisture and help prevent tarnishing.
- Use silica packs: When you buy new clothes or shoes, sometimes you’ll find silica packs in with them. Hold onto these and toss them in your jewelry box. They’re great for absorbing moisture!
Anti-tarnish cloths: Lining your jewelry box with anti-tarnish cloths is a great idea. These cloths absorb sulfur and moisture from the air and are usually chemically treated to prevent tarnish.