It’s hard to believe that anything can dampen the gleam of sterling silver. With its radiant luster and timeless appeal, sterling silver feels almost indestructible, as if it could preserve its brilliance forever.
That said, does sterling silver tarnish?
Over time, it’s natural for greenish corrosion to build up on silver jewelry that may have been exposed to moisture, air, or certain chemicals, causing tarnish to form and dull its shine.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent discoloration and return your silver treasures to their original sheen.
Understanding Sterling Silver
So, what is sterling silver? The term sterling silver refers to articles composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper (or a different alloy). The presence of additional metals makes it stronger and simpler to work with than pure silver, which is quite soft and easily damaged.
The addition of copper adds more shine than raw silver has on its own.
Since ancient times, these properties have made sterling silver a popular material for crafting women’s or men’s sterling silver jewelry and minting coins. Beyond its glimmer, sterling silver is desirable for its:
- Durability – It’s known for withstanding years of use without deterioration.
- Hypoallergenic nature – Is sterling silver hypoallergenic? Yes, it won’t cause allergic reactions, making it ideal for jewelry.
- Low cost – While silver is a precious metal, it’s more affordable than gold.
For these reasons, sterling silver has demonstrated an immense staying power that shows no sign of fading.
Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Architects frequently utilize copper in their building projects, and it’s well known for acquiring a greenish patina over time. That said, does sterling silver turn green due to its copper components?
It does.
Moisture from your skin and sulfur in the air reacts with the copper in sterling silver, leading to a greenish discoloration over time.
Factors That Cause Sterling Silver to Tarnish
There are a few common causes of tarnish—understanding them is the first step to preventing them from dulling your jewelry.
Environmental Factors
Sterling silver’s top adversary is sulfur, and it’s far more prevalent than you might think. If you live in an urban area, car exhaust (a heavy source of sulfur) permeates the air.
Other environmental sulfur sources include:
- Matches
- Laundry detergent
- Lotions
- Cleaning products
- Perfumes
- Water (both tap and natural)
Continued exposure to any of these substances can trigger tarnish.
Chemical Reactions
While ambient sulfur can slowly discolor your silver, acute exposure can catalyze a chemical reaction that will ruin its coloring in an instant.
Immersing sterling silver jewelry in sulfurized water (many natural water sources, such as hot springs, are high in sulfur) or attempting to polish them with harsh cleaning products can prompt a sudden reaction that can alter the appearance of your jewelry.
How to Prevent Tarnish on Sterling Silver
You don’t have to settle for tarnished jewelry—simple sterling silver care and smart handling can keep discoloration at bay.
To keep silver rings and bracelets gleaming, get in the habit of:
- Removing all silver pieces before swimming or bathing.
- Practicing gentle handling when cleaning.
- Polishing often to prevent tarnish from settling in.
- Keeping jewelry away from contaminants like perfume and paper products.
How to Clean Tarnished Sterling Silver
Will sterling silver tarnish even under ideal conditions? Since it’s impossible to completely shield your men’s or women’s sterling silver jewelry from environmental contaminants, it’s likely that your jewelry will start showing natural signs of wear even when cared for properly.
Diligent handling can keep it gleaming far longer, however.
When you notice discoloration setting in, it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning. So, how to clean silver jewelry? To recover your designer jewelry piece’s natural sheen:
- Select a silver cleaning solution, or mix one yourself using DIY methods (dish soap and warm water is a tried-and-true at-home remedy).
- Immerse your sterling silver piece in your chosen cleaning solution and let it soak. Be sure to use a glass or plastic bowl, rather than a stainless steel container as it can scratch the softer sterling silver.
- Remove your silver and gently buff away the stains with a cotton or microfiber silver polishing cloth (don’t use paper towels). You may need to repeat the process a few times until the tarnish has vanished completely.
- Rinse away any lingering soap and thoroughly dry your clean silver jewelry with a soft cloth. Go easy—too much pressure can wear away the surface.
If you wear your jewelry often, it’s wise to polish it every month or so.
Storing Sterling Silver to Minimize Tarnish
When not in use, keeping your silver pieces in a superior quality display case, such as those offered by Clocks and Colours, is the best way to preserve their luster and protect them from the environment.
Other storage methods include jewelry bags specifically designed to protect against tarnish. You may have seen other ornaments and jewelry wrapped in newspaper or tissue as protective measures, but you should avoid this practice as these materials may contain sulfur.
Clocks and Colours: Forging Silver’s Future
Sterling silver jewelry adds an indescribable spark to any look—all it asks in return is the occasional polish and a safe resting place away from sulfur.
Stay vigilant with your care, and your sterling stars will last a lifetime.
Sterling silver has a rich, storied history. From the dawn of civilization, skilled artisans have shaped this versatile and captivating precious metal into bold and intricate representations of life's beauty and complexity. At Clocks and Colours, we uphold this time-honored tradition with a stunning collection of sterling silver designs, crafted to suit both men and women.
Embrace the timeless with Clocks and Colours.
Sources:
- US Geological Survey. What is sterling silver? https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-sterling-silver
- Copper Development Associated. Copper Facts: Copper in Architecture. https://copper.org/education/c-facts/architecture/print-category.html
- Reference.com. What Household Products Contain Sulfur? https://www.reference.com/world-view/household-products-contain-sulfur-921d96a21528271c
- KDM Fabrication. Stainless Steel vs. Sterling Silver: Which Is a Better Choice? https://kdmfab.com/stainless-steel-vs-sterling-silver/
- The Spruce. How to Clean Sterling Silver and Keep it Shining.>https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-sterling-silver-5509319
