The truth about tarnish
Tarnish is when silver gradually darkens as it combines with sulfur and forms silver sulfide on the surface. To return your silver to its former beauty, the sulfide on the surface must be removed.
Sulfur comes from the air and is usually denser in industrial areas or the city where there is a lot of traffic.
Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal, usually copper. Silver itself does not react with oxygen or water at ordinary temperatures but it is the other metal which may react and cause sterling silver to “oxidize.”
Tarnish Prevention
Zip loc bags, Anti tarnish cloths, avoid humidity
To slow down the tarnishing process, store your Sterling Silver Jewelry in an airtight bag or in a jewelry box lined with anti tarnish cloth. Anti tarnish cloths such as Pacific Silvercloth® are tarnish preventing fabrics that keep silver clean, bright and shining. The cloth is embedded with thousands of tiny silver particles which absorb tarnish producing gases before they reach your silver. Keep this brown cloth with your sterling silver and you will rarely need to polish again!
Avoid leaving silver in humid areas such as the bathroom. Swimming and bathing could cause permanent damage to your jewelry as well as contact with chemicals, cosmetics, and hairspray.
Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry
Caring for Pearl Jewelry |