Silver is one of the world’s most treasured commodities. Sterling silver inspires a level of trust and stands the test of time with regard to quality, appeal, and beauty.
Ornata specializes in silver jewelry and offers both sterling silver and silver plated lines. The silver plated line features either fine silver or sterling silver plated over pewter, brass, or steel. We love silver because it reacts with its surroundings to bring out a warm luster over time. While this property of silver gives it life and character, it can also lead to tarnishing, which may be less desirable.
Here is a bit of background to better understand the scientific process: [from Wikipedia]
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by mass of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925.
Fine silver, for example 99.9% pure silver, is generally too soft for producing functional objects; therefore, the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give it strength while preserving the ductility and appearance of the precious metal.
Chemically, silver is not very reactive—it does not react with oxygen or water at ordinary temperatures, so does not easily form a silver oxide. However, it is attacked by common components of atmospheric pollution: silver sulfide slowly appears as a black tarnish during exposure to airborne compounds of sulfur (byproducts of the burning of fossil fuels and some industrial processes), and low level ozone reacts to form silver oxide. As the purity of the silver decreases, the problem of corrosion or tarnishing increases because other metals in the alloy, usually copper, may react with oxygen in the air.
So, whether or not your silver tarnishes is based on both the environment and the type of silver you have. We’ve lived in places where our silver would turn dark almost immediately if it came into contact with well water (which had a high sulfur content). We’ve also lived in places where we’ve never had to clean our sterling silver jewelry— even after years of wearing and storing it.
Here’s what we’ve found to be the best practices:
1) Store silver in small plastic bags with as little air as possible.
2) Avoid having silver come into contact with reactive agents, such as sulfur. Surprisingly, many decorative storage boxes, especially inexpensive and imported ones, contain chemicals that will turn silver black in a very short period of time— we learned this the hard way! Similarly, various creams, lotions, and fragrances may adversely affect the appearance of silver.
3) Use a soft polishing cloth to bring up the shine. Be careful not to over polish silver plated jewelry as doing so will wear down the layer of silver and expose the underlying metal.
There are a lot of homemade solutions to clean silver as well. One of the most universally accepted methods uses one tablespoon each of dishwashing detergent, baking soda, and salt in a cup of hot water with aluminum foil lining the container.
Here’s a cleaning solution “recipe" to whip up from Food.com. This DIY comes complete with an ingredients list, easy to follow directions, and pictures.
We thought we’d give it a try since it looked too good to be true.
But...
DON’T skip the aluminum foil, though! The aluminum moves the silver oxidation from the silver to the foil. You need to lay the sterling on aluminum foil or it will turn black.
Also exercise caution with silver plated objects— especially if you don’t know what other metals are in the piece. Similarly,a gentle polishing cloth may be your safest bet with some silver pieces.
Lastly, sterling silver or plated silver with an ANTIQUED FINISH or LACQUER may behave differently than expected depending upon the technique used to achieve the vintage look.
We hope you found this post useful. You can see several variations of this technique and other tips on our Pinterest Board.
Enjoy life with your silver!
FAQs
Over time, silver will tarnish and requires regular cleaning to prevent this from happening. For regular cleaning of untarnished items, cleaning items with a mild solution of dish detergent and warm water is recommended. Afterward, items should be dried with a soft cloth. Never use paper towels to dry silverware.
How do you clean and store sterling silver? ›
How to Store Sterling Silver Jewelry. Once clean and polished, store your jewelry in a felt lined dry box with a few silica gel packs. The packs will help keep the air dry and reduce tarnishing. "You can also wrap the items in silver polishing cloths or store them with anti-tarnish strips," Lieblich says.
How should sterling silver be stored? ›
Yes, silver should be stored in an airtight or a low-oxygen environment. Exposure to air, especially humid air, can lead to tarnishing. Airtight storage containers or bags can help minimize oxygen contact and slow the tarnishing process.
How do you keep sterling silver from tarnishing? ›
The best way to keep sterling silver from tarnishing is to take proper care of it. This includes restricting contact with water, chemicals, and other elements. It is also important to store the jewelry separately in airtight packaging and avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.
How do you store silver after cleaning? ›
Get storage right
Silver should be stored wrapped in dry, acid-free tissue paper and placed inside cotton or Tarnprufe bags.
What is the best cleaner for sterling silver? ›
White Vinegar & Baking Soda
Soak your tarnished jewelry in a ½ cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Warning: this mixture fizzes. Keep your sterling silver in this solution for two to three hours, rinse and dry.
What should you not clean silver with? ›
However, never rub or wipe silver items with aluminum foil, which can scratch the surface.
Can I store silver in Ziploc bags? ›
Okay, we want to give you the scoop on storing your silver and other metal jewelry in plastic bags. Not just any plastic ziplock bag will do. Anti-tarnish ziplock bags protect your silver jewelry and other small metal valuables from tarnish while proividing visibility of your inventory.
What not to do with sterling silver? ›
Sterling silver is okay to be in contact with plain water, however, there are some materials that you should avoid contact with such as sunscreen, shampoo, cleaning agents, soap, chlorine, bleach and salt water. The ingredients of these products will cause your silver to tarnish.
Can you store silver in saran wrap? ›
Making your own silver cloth bags is the most economical and effective storage method lasting at least 20 years or longer. NEVER store sterling silver or silver plate in Saran Wrap, plastic bags, bubble wrap or use rubber bands. These materials "outgas" leaving permanent marks and permanently ruin silver plating.
Once the silver is polished and looks the way you want, you can seal out the tarnish and protect the beauty with ProtectaClear®. Apply ProtectaClear® for long-lasting results. Simply wipe the ProtectaClear® on with the applicator that comes with every order of liquid coating.
Does aluminum foil keep sterling silver from tarnishing? ›
DON'T skip the aluminum foil, though! The aluminum moves the silver oxidation from the silver to the foil. You need to lay the sterling on aluminum foil or it will turn black. Also exercise caution with silver plated objects— especially if you don't know what other metals are in the piece.
What is the best way to store sterling silver serving pieces? ›
Silver should always be stored in a drawer or chest lined with tarnish-resistant flannel or individually wrapped in acid-free tissue paper, silver cloth, or unbleached cotton muslin and placed in a zip-top plastic bag.
Can you store silver in plastic bins? ›
Avoid storing silver in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers, as the chemical reaction between silver and PVC can cause damage and discoloration. Opt for quality storage containers made from durable materials to create a tarnish-resistant environment.
What happens if you leave silver in cleaner too long? ›
If you leave it in over the recommended amount of time, it won't harm your jewelry, however if a chemical reaction does occur that discolors your jewelry, use a polishing cloth to remove the color and restore the original color.
How long does sterling silver last without tarnishing? ›
Several factors play a part in answering this question, including the quality of jewelry, how it's cared for, and the type of jewelry. It can take anywhere between 2 months and 3 years for sterling silver rings, necklaces, and bracelets to tarnish depending on various factors.
Can you store sterling silver in plastic? ›
Never, ever use plastic to store your sterling silver. The plastic bag contains sulfur and will trap moisture, both of which cause tarnishing.
Can you keep sterling silver on all the time? ›
High-quality sterling silver contains 92.5% silver content. The remaining 7.5% is alloyed with a variety of metals such as nickel and copper. This type of silver is durable, stunning and will not perish, fade or tarnish easily, meaning that you can wear it and forget about it!
How to prevent silver from turning black? ›
Here are some tips that help prevent silver from tarnishing.
- Avoid contact with moisture: ...
- Adding chalk to the container: ...
- Using anti-tarnishing strips: ...
- Use them often: ...
- Clean them before it is too late: ...
- Avoid contact with rubber: ...
- Avoid keeping them together with other jewellery: ...
- Keep them away from sunlight:
