Why does silver necklace tarnished

Another thing you can do to keep your jewelry bright and shiny is to store it properly. You should store all your sterling silver jewelry in a cool, dry place away from moisture. Even though storing your jewelry in the bathroom next to where you get ready in the morning seems convenient, the excess moisture in the bathroom can cause tarnishing more quickly.

Instead, store it in a jewelry box in the closet. These soft liners and the strips help absorb any excess moisture before it tarnishes your jewelry and reduces the risk of scratches and damage. Always avoid harsh chemicals, as these can react with the metal in your sterling silver jewelry and make it tarnish. This includes chemicals often found in:. Before storing, wipe jewelry off completely. This type of cleaner is not recommended for oxidized sterling silver pieces, however, as it may remove the oxidation.

Remember to keep jewelry polishes away from gemstones that are in your jewelry. Even if you take care of your jewelry properly, some tarnish is inevitable.

With that said, there are many ways to clean your jewelry. In fact, you can even clean tarnished silver with toothpaste in a pinch. The quickest way to clean your sterling silver jewelry is to use a silver cleaning cloth , also known as a polishing cloth.

Using a polishing cloth is a great way to wipe off any dirt or chemicals that collect on your jewelry throughout the day, which in turn, limits tarnishing. You can make a gentle jewelry cleaner with some ingredients that you likely already have at home! Here are some ideas to get you started:. They work with water or a cleaning solution, and some have an automatic shutoff for a quick, easy, and safe way to clean jewelry. Sterling silver jewelry is a beautiful, brilliant, and affordable option and we love that it pairs with any outfit.

At Silpada, we specialize in building collections of fine sterling silver jewelry and offer a variety of styles from simple stud earrings to gemstone-laced bracelets. I organized my cleaning tips by metal type because of the way tarnishing varies. The lace I use is durable and hand-washable with a simple combination of soap and water. So, here's how to get tarnish off jewelry:. I hope this helps you get a better feeling for what tarnishing is and how it's not the terrible thing that it's made out to be!

It's completely natural for metals to tarnish, and it's easy to prevent and take care of. Unique and one-of-a-kind jewelry handmade in Seattle, WA. Lovingly and sustainably created in small batches with nickel-free brass, sterling silver, 14kt gold, stones, and hand-crocheted lace.

Redefining everyday jewelry so you can feel seen and empowered to live life on your own terms. Close menu. One-of-a-Kind Pieces. Twyla Dill Gift Guide. Local Seattle Business Gift Guide. Every piece of silver jewelry develops a black coating on its surface after some time. This tarnish is a result of a chemical reaction that occurs when silver comes into contact with air and various substances.

Silver tarnish is a form of corrosion, but unlike rust, it does not destroy the underlying metal and can be removed relatively easily. There is no way to protect your silver jewelry from turning black because silver reacts with so many materials found in everyday life.

For instance, tarnishing can be accelerated by contact with tap water because it contains chlorine , a number of foods e. While tarnishing is a natural process that cannot be prevented, it can be slowed down, but you will still need to clean the tarnished layer at some point.

Related: Check out this rich selection of great sterling silver jewelry. To slow down tarnishing, clean your silver jewelry after wearing it. Oils from your skin accumulate on the surface of silver and can predispose it to oxidization.

Use warm water to wash your jewelry items gently, and dry them with a soft cloth. You can also delay tarnishing by regularly polishing your silver jewelry. Use a polishing cloth to clean your silver items at the first signs of tarnishing. Click here to take a look at a polishing cloth that is popular. Minimize contact of your silver jewelry with substances that can cause tarnishing.