| Each year we get hundreds of emails from silver | | | | same way. Anti-tarnish strips work in a slightly |
| jewelry lovers. They find that their lovely silver | | | | different way. These strips absorb tarnish |
| jewelry has tarnished. Many sellers do not clearly | | | | producing gases and are made from paper that |
| explain the process of silver tarnishing to buyers | | | | contains activated charcoal. They do not emit |
| and buyers are shocked to see their gorgeous | | | | fumes or vapours but absorb the gases that |
| silver jewelry gradually change color to a darkish | | | | cause silver to tarnish. Finally, we will talk about |
| dull shade of yellow, brown and even black. | | | | the famous Silica Gel granules that are man made |
| So what exactly is silver tarnish? Can the process | | | | and absorb moisture from the air. High humidity is |
| of silver tarnish be slowed down or eliminated? | | | | one of the causes of silver tarnish and these |
| What about anti-tarnish platings, are they really | | | | granules that contain numerous tiny crevices 'suck' |
| useful? How can silver tarnish be removed? and | | | | excess moisture from the air. Hydrosorbent Silica |
| finally Can tarnished silver jewelry look good? In | | | | Gel granules are used in medicine containers too |
| this article we provide simple and lucid | | | | and have been around for many decades. The |
| explanations for these and other questions. We | | | | important thing to note about these materials is |
| have been as non-technical as possible and hope | | | | that they have a life span during which they will |
| that this would interest as most silver jewelry | | | | prove effective. Read instructions when using |
| lovers. We have mentioned silver jewelry in this | | | | them and ensure that they are changed as and |
| article though, tarnish occurs on all silver objects | | | | when recommended. Silica Gel granules can be |
| like spoons, watches, cups etc and not just on | | | | made to change color when they are fully |
| silver jewelry. | | | | 'soaked' with moisture and become inactive. |
| 1. What is silver tarnish? Silver tarnish is a natural | | | | 6. What are anti-tarnish platings? Silver jewelry |
| process that occurs on the surface of silver | | | | manufacturers have for many years plated silver |
| jewelry. Tarnish starts as a light yellow | | | | jewelry with metals like rhodium, gold and even |
| discoloration of silver, it then starts to change to | | | | platinum with an effort to eliminate tarnishing of |
| darker shades of brown as the tarnish gets to be | | | | silver. The idea is to protect the silver from |
| more severe. In extreme cases the tarnishing of | | | | tarnish by forming a layer on the surface of silver |
| silver could look very dark and almost black. | | | | jewelry. Newly plated silver jewelry looks |
| Tarnishing occurs due to certain climatic conditions | | | | gorgeous and appears very much like gold or |
| and also due to certain ingredients that are | | | | platinum jewelry. However the truth is that, the |
| present in some materials. One such chemical that | | | | plating will wear off with time and expose the |
| causes silver to tarnish is hydrogen sulfide (H2S) | | | | silver underneath. The rate at which the plating on |
| and things that contain this chemical will cause | | | | silver will come off depends on many factors like |
| silver to tarnish quickly. Materials that stimulate | | | | the humidity in the atmosphere, the chemical |
| silver tarnish are wood, felt, rubber bands, food | | | | composition of sweat (of the person wearing |
| items like eggs, onions etc. High humidity in the | | | | them), the frequency with which such silver plated |
| climate also hastens the silver tarnish process. | | | | silver jewelry is worn and also the chlorine |
| Looking at these factors that cause silver tarnish, | | | | content in the water. Once the plating starts |
| you will realize that the process of silver tarnishing | | | | coming off, the jewelry starts to look patchy and |
| can hardly be avoided. | | | | cheap. This is because the peeling does not occur |
| 2. Does silver tarnish mean that the silver used is | | | | uniformly throughout the jewel. This is something |
| not good? Surely not, because silver tarnish is a | | | | that you need to be aware of. Such jewelry |
| natural process and occurs with silver of all | | | | cannot be polished and your best option would be |
| purities. Silver jewelry is generally made from | | | | to get it professional re-plated. This could be an |
| silver that is around 92.50% pure and this is done | | | | expensive proposition for silver jewelry. |
| to increase the hardness of silver. Sterling silver | | | | 7. Can tarnished silver jewelry look good? The |
| as it is normally referred to (925=92.50% purity), | | | | answer to this question is not a simple one. |
| is an alloy of silver and other metals. The | | | | Depending on the design of your silver jewelry, |
| tarnishing of sterling silver has nothing to do with | | | | tarnishing can add to it's good looks or make it |
| the percentage of silver in the alloy. It would be | | | | appear cheap and lousy. Antique style silver |
| safe to assume that all silver will tarnish. | | | | designs will look more classic and valuable when |
| 3. Can silver tarnish be removed? The answer to | | | | the jewelry tarnishes. An occassional mild silver |
| this question is, yes. It is possible to clean | | | | polish applied to such jewelry would leave some |
| tarnished silver jewelry and the procedure | | | | traces of tarnish on the jewel and give it an |
| followed will depend on the degree of tarnish that | | | | ancient authentic look. On the other hand sleek |
| is present on the silver jewelry. Reputed | | | | modern designs for silver jewelry will not look |
| companies sell silver polishing solutions that can be | | | | good if silver tarnish sets in. Most silver jewelry |
| used for removal of silver tarnish. Most of these | | | | lovers are aware of this and therefore spend |
| can be used at home to remove light to mild | | | | premium budgets on classic antique style designs. |
| silver jewery tarnish, however keep a few points | | | | High end craftsmanship for silver jewelry is not |
| in mind when buying or using these silver polishes. | | | | easy to find as most sellers cater to low priced |
| Check only for reputed brands and do not stress | | | | markets. Even gemstones used in silver jewelry |
| on low prices as these cheap polishes could | | | | are in most cases,low grade reject quality |
| destroy your silver jewelry. Read the complete | | | | gemstones. There are just a few high end |
| instructions on the container before purchasing it. | | | | custom jewelry manufacturers for silver jewelry |
| You can then judge the suitability for your | | | | and their merchandise is highly valued among |
| particular use and select the right silver polish. For | | | | lovers of silver jewelry. |
| example, do not get a silver tarnish removal lotion | | | | Before we wind up this informative article on |
| meant for severe tarnish, if your silver jewelry | | | | silver tarnish and the procedures for removal of |
| has only mild tarnish. Some polishes might emit | | | | silver tarnish a few random thoughts from our |
| fumes that could irritate the eyes and nose, so | | | | team of designers and craftsmen. |
| use them in well ventilated areas. The instructions | | | | 1. The moment you notice a yellowish tint on |
| could also advise the use of gloves when handling | | | | your silver jewelry, use a mild phospate free |
| the polish so ensure that you follow all | | | | detergent and water to gently wash the jewelry. |
| recommended precautions. In the case of very | | | | Then immediately dry the jewelry with a soft |
| severe tarnish on your silver jewelry, professional | | | | cloth, pat gently rather than using vigorous rubbing |
| help is recommended and home remedies might | | | | to dry the jewel. These are the first traces of |
| not be possible. | | | | silver tarnish and if handled well, will not develop |
| 4. What are the different types of silver polish | | | | into more severe silver tarnish. |
| available? We will answer this question without | | | | 2. Do not use toothpaste to clean silver jewelry. |
| referring to any commercial brand names. Silver | | | | The abrasive particles in the toothpaste could |
| tarnish polishes can be classified as two broad | | | | scratch your jewelry. Ironically, toothpaste is very |
| types, the first is the type where the silver | | | | often used to clean tarnished silver jewelry as no |
| jewelry will have to be washed clean after the | | | | one cared to clear this issue. |
| polished is applied as instructed on the container. | | | | 3. When applying silver polish, shake the container |
| The second type is the polish that is meant to be | | | | well before use. Do not use old polish that is |
| applied to the jewelry and left, this type of silver | | | | mostly dried, as such lotions could be very |
| polish is supposed to form a protective layer on | | | | concentrated and abrasive. |
| the silver jewelry. This layer will reduce the rate | | | | 4. The old saying still holds true, when wearing |
| at which the silver jewelry will subsequently | | | | jewelry for an outing or special occassion '......... let |
| tarnish. More importantly, silver polishes would also | | | | your jewelry be the last thing that you put on, |
| be classified according to the severity of the | | | | and the first thing to come off when you get |
| tarnish that they are supposed to handle. Choose | | | | back home..........'. Remember hair sprays and other |
| the right type depending on the degree to which | | | | powder packs can also tarnish silver jewelry. |
| your silver jewelry has tarnished. Anti tarnish | | | | 5. When cleaning your tarnished silver jewelry give |
| polishes meant for severe and stubborn silver | | | | due thought to the gemstones in the jewelry. |
| tarnish are obviously more abrasive too. | | | | Certain gemstones require special care when |
| 5. Can the way silver jewelry is stored influence | | | | cleaning and the silver polishes and vigorous |
| the rate of tarnish? This is an important aspect | | | | cleaning could affect the gemstones. In cases |
| that is ignored by many silver jewelry lovers. | | | | where your silver jewelry consists of expensive |
| Never wrap your silver jewelry in newspapers or | | | | gemstones, seek professional help for cleaning |
| plastic as these will cause your jewelry to tarnish | | | | tarnish on the silver. |
| severely. Add rubber bands to the list of material | | | | We do hope that this article has been useful to |
| that should not be used to pack silver jewelry. | | | | you. We will be back with more interesting |
| Wrap each jewel in anti-tarnish tissue (available at | | | | information regarding gemstones and jewelry. You |
| most jewelry stores) and then seal them in | | | | are welcome to read the complete Kaisilver |
| polyethylene bags. This is one way in which | | | | jewelry newsletter at this link: |
| tarnishing can be minimized. Tarnish absorbing | | | | Thanks and God Bless. |
| cloths are also available and can be used in the | | | | Regards. |