There are few things in this world more visually pleasing than natural silver, kept shiny and new as a result of proper care. The truth of the matter is that silver is one of the most versatile materials known to man. Produced over 5,000 years ago, it’s used for jewelry, home decor, religious uses and even as an ornamental plant. Silver has been used by humans throughout history; here we use it to accent our homes, jewelry boxes, hearts and minds. Unfortunately, silver tarnishes over time when left in natural environments. Silver exposure to air results in tarnish formation on its surface – a chemical change also known as oxidation.
Real silver will tarnish with exposure to air. This is the natural process of silver reacting with sulphur- containing gases. In some cases, pure silver may not tarnish as easily, but it still reacts to form silver sulphide. Luckily, there are many different methods to prevent silver from tarnishing. Listed below are a few. Follow these steps to keep your silver pieces looking their best for years to come.
925 silver
You might be asking: Does 925 silver tarnish? If your answer is yes, then you’re in luck. Despite popular belief, silver doesn’t tarnish as easily as other types of metal. There are a few things you can do to keep your silver from tarnishing. The first step is to prevent it from coming in contact with anything that contains sulfur, such as latex gloves, wool, rubber bands, and elastic. Secondly, avoid wearing your silver jewelry while doing household chores, applying lotions, playing sports, or in environments where the air is polluted. And of course, you should always clean it after touching these substances.
Another way to prevent tarnishing is to avoid buying 925 silver. 925 silver is composed of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, a mix that makes it harder and more durable. It also contains copper, zinc, and other elements to make it less brittle. Unlike 999.9 silver, sterling silver does not tarnish. Instead, it keeps its shine for years.
900 silver
Unlike other metals that tarnish, a coin that is made of.900 silver will not turn black or yellow. A 900 silver coin will also bear the maker’s logo. Generally, coin silver jewelry has been around for a long time, and many pieces are antiques. The hallmark of the maker is also an important piece of information. If you are not sure how to identify a piece of 900 silver, you can also look for a stamp on it.
Using a strong magnet to test a piece of silver is one way to verify its purity. If the magnet slides down a bar of silver, it is silver. However, there are other tests you can perform to be sure. You should try to make sure that the magnet is not made of an alloy of silver and that it is made of silver. For instance, if the magnet slides down the silver bar, the silver is not tarnished.
800 silver
Among the benefits of using 800 silver for your precious jewelry is that it will not tarnish. This silver is at least eighty percent pure, whereas 925 silver is ninety percent pure. You can easily tell whether a piece of silver is real by looking at its markings. Generally, the markings should be easily visible. Some pieces may have smaller markings, which are easy to miss.
Some products that contain sulfur, which causes tarnishing, are not good for your precious jewelry. Avoid wearing your jewelry if you are working with chemicals. The
same is true if you are living in a highly polluted area. You should also wash your hands after handling these products. Other common sources of sulfur include fruit juices and certain types of food. Avoid wearing your sterling silver jewelry if you are exposed to these substances.
How to Prevent Silver From Tarnishing Result
In the end, it is up to you what method you choose to prevent your silver from tarnishing. The most important thing is that you take the time to make sure it’s taken care of. Following these steps will keep your silver looking as good as new for decades to come.
