The silver care tips
Why Does Silver Turn Black?
Silver is a reactive metal that can tarnish, turning yellow or black over time due to exposure to the environment. Currently, there's no way to prevent this natural process. When exposed to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the air, the surface of silver loses its shiny white appearance, because silver reacts with H2S to form black silver sulfide (Ag2S). The chemical reaction is as follows:
4Ag + H2S + O2 = 2Ag2S + 2H2O
As this reaction continues, the silver's surface gradually shifts from white to yellow, then to gray, and finally to black as more silver sulfide forms.
How to Clean Tarnished Silver
To clean tarnished silver, squeeze a small amount of toothpaste into your hand, add a little water to create foam, and gently rub the silver piece. Use a soft cloth to polish the surface until it shines. When cleaning, make sure the toothpaste is well-mixed with water before applying. Don’t scrub too hard. Rinse the silver with clean water and dry thoroughly. For chains, you can put the silver jewelry in a small plastic bag, add some foamy toothpaste mixture, and rub the bag gently. Then, rinse with clean water.
How to Care for Silver Daily
It’s recommended to wear silver jewelry often, as the natural oils from your skin can give silver a soft, natural sheen. (Though for some people, their sweat contains elements that can cause silver to tarnish.) When wearing, keep the silver dry and avoid swimming, especially in pools, hot springs, or the ocean. When not in use, wipe the silver with a soft cloth or tissue to remove any moisture or dirt, and store it in a sealed bag or box to prevent exposure to air, which can cause tarnishing.
Silver is a reactive metal that can tarnish, turning yellow or black over time due to exposure to the environment. Currently, there's no way to prevent this natural process. When exposed to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the air, the surface of silver loses its shiny white appearance, because silver reacts with H2S to form black silver sulfide (Ag2S). The chemical reaction is as follows:
4Ag + H2S + O2 = 2Ag2S + 2H2O
As this reaction continues, the silver's surface gradually shifts from white to yellow, then to gray, and finally to black as more silver sulfide forms.
How to Clean Tarnished Silver
To clean tarnished silver, squeeze a small amount of toothpaste into your hand, add a little water to create foam, and gently rub the silver piece. Use a soft cloth to polish the surface until it shines. When cleaning, make sure the toothpaste is well-mixed with water before applying. Don’t scrub too hard. Rinse the silver with clean water and dry thoroughly. For chains, you can put the silver jewelry in a small plastic bag, add some foamy toothpaste mixture, and rub the bag gently. Then, rinse with clean water.
How to Care for Silver Daily
It’s recommended to wear silver jewelry often, as the natural oils from your skin can give silver a soft, natural sheen. (Though for some people, their sweat contains elements that can cause silver to tarnish.) When wearing, keep the silver dry and avoid swimming, especially in pools, hot springs, or the ocean. When not in use, wipe the silver with a soft cloth or tissue to remove any moisture or dirt, and store it in a sealed bag or box to prevent exposure to air, which can cause tarnishing.