Why Does Some Jewelry Tarnish?

Have you ever excitedly taken out your favorite piece of jewelry to wear but found out it has gotten discolored or become black? Or when you got home wearing a piece of jewelry for a long time, it has left gray residue and green marks on your skin? Well, that is a sign of your jewelry tarnishing.

 There is nothing more painful than watching expensive jewelry pieces becoming discolored and not fit for use. Jewelry is an accessory that we love to invest in, hoping that it will be long-lasting and prove its worth. But more often than not it tarnishes, even before we get to wear it a second time.

 Not sure why this keeps happening to favorite accessories? Let us tell you why your jewelry tarnishes and how you can prevent it.

 Why Does my jewelry Tarnish

 Tarnishing is a natural process, and almost all jewelry tarnishes, some quicker than others. Tarnishing of jewelry results from oxidation, which occurs due to the chemical makeup of the jewelry and the elements it comes in contact with.

 When we wear jewelry, it comes in contact with various materials. The most common substances that cause the oxidation of jewelry are perfumes, sweat, body oils, deodorants, makeup, and body lotions. They all contain elements like sulfur and oxygen that react with the chemicals present in the jewelry, changing its color. Moreover, these same elements are also present in the air that reacts with your jewelry, causing it to oxidize and lose its color.

 Factors that Cause Jewelry to Tarnish Faster

 Almost all jewelry tarnishes, but some factors quicken the tarnishing process. Here are those factors:

Why jewelry tarnishes

 1. The Material of Jewelry

Some pure metals do not tarnish, even after years of storing them in a cupboard or wearing them on almost all occasions. But some metals such as brass or Silver are more prone to tarnishing due to their chemical makeup.

 But the good thing is you can easily save your Sterling Silver jewelry. Rub it gently with a little piece of cloth, and your Sterling silver jewelry will be as good as new again. However, on the other hand, brass jewelry cannot be saved. It loses its shine in no time and turns black – leaving you no other choice but throwing it away.

 Hence, we advise our audience to invest in good-quality accessories. Cheap jewelry might be light on the pocket but doesn't last long; hence, when picking a material for jewelry, you must go for Sterling Silver rather than brass or alloyed jewelry.

Why jewelry tarnishes

 2. Storage Technique

 The elements present in alloyed jewelry react with elements present in the air. Oxygen present in the air is the biggest contributor here, which oxidizes jewelry leaving it discolored. Properly storing jewelry is important. To avoid jewelry getting tarnished, store jewelry in air-tight containers or zip locks.

Why jewelry tarnishes

 

 3. Environment

 Environmental conditions like increased humidity are also factors that lead to jewelry tarnishing. Increased humidity means increased moisture in the air. This air with water particles reacts with the metallic elements present in your jewelry, causing it to oxidize and lose its original color. Again, we'd suggest you keep your jewelry in air-tight spaces where no air particles or moisture can reach them.

 

 Wrapping it Up

 Tarnished jewelry is a painful sight, and we all try to avoid it all costs. Even though it’s a natural process, managing your jewelry better and buying good quality jewelry can help Prevent Tarnishing. If you are looking for good-quality and pure jewelry that offers longer life, check out our website today! Our pieces are elegantly designed and of good quality, saving you the hassle of tarnishing. We offer meticulously curated, unique jewelry designs that perfect for any occasion!

 

See you in our next Blog!

February 01, 2022 — Gloria Kucich Dearmas