What are the Reasons Behind the Tarnishing of Sterling Silver Beads?

Posted by eliteinternet on September 23rd, 2019

Silver, gold and platinum are some of the most popular metals used in jewelry today. They are favored because they aren’t prone to rust and corrosion. Considering that fact, many people prefer buying jewelry made from these metals so they can rest assured the quality will not diminish over time.

Among precious metals, silver is surely one of the most popular choices as it is affordable and timeless.  This metal does not corrode, but it does tarnish, causing the silver to take on a dark coating.

As people are unaware of the reasons behind this condition, they often don’t do enough to avoid it. Instead, they simply turn the silver over to a professional for cleaning. However, there is much consumers can do to protect their silver at home.  To keep consumers better informed, here is a list of causes of tarnishing in silver jewelry.

#1 Makeup Products

Makeup is one of the causes of the tarnishing of sterling silver beads. Products like hairsprays, lotions, and perfumes can cause damage to silver, resulting in a black coating. Be careful to avoid handling jewelry with makeup residue on your hands and fingers.  Avoid wearing silver jewelry on skin where you have applied makeup, such as on the neck or ears.

#2 Pollution

Pollution can cause tarnishing as well.  Do not spend a lot of time on busy city streets wearing silver as the smog and exhaust that occur from traffic can cause tarnishing.  This is especially helpful advice for those who wear silver daily.

#3 Printed Paper

For storage, wrapping silver jewelry in paper is not recommended.  Silver reacts with chemicals and dyes in paper, turning the metal strange colors.

#4 Leather Items

People often store silver items in leather bags.  This isn’t a wise idea; the leather bag will tarnish your jewelry. As leather items are tanned with Sulphur-based acids, they can cause damage to silver. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid placing silver items in leather bags.

These four tips will help silver lovers maintain their treasured pieces. People often worry that their gold-filled chains will tarnish, but this never happens. In the case of silver, though, owners must take all the necessary measures to keep their jewelry from blackening.