Can silver-plated jewelry tarnish?

by Oliver · Published June 29, 2024 · Updated July 3, 2024

Last Updated on July 3, 2024 by Oliver

Can silver-plated jewelry tarnish? Yes, silver-plated jewelry can tarnish over time. Tarnish is a common problem when dealing with silver items; this process occurs when silver reacts with sulfur or oxygen in the air to create an acidic environment and forms black or dark brown layers on its surface. This form of corrosion affects both pure silver and plating versions. In this article, we’ll go over why and how silver-plated jewelry tarnishes, how to prevent it, and how to clean and care for these pieces.

Why Does Silver-Plated Jewelry Tarnish?

Silver plating involves applying a thin coating of silver over another metal such as copper, brass or nickel. However, this layer may react negatively and tarnish due to environmental interaction with sulfur compounds. Several factors contribute to its eventual degradation, such as:

Exposure to Air: Silver can react with oxygen in the air to form silver oxide, creating an unsightly and dull finish. This is a certainty.

Sulfur Compounds: Sulfur compounds are one of the main contributors to silver’s tarnish. They can be found in air pollution, foods such as eggs and onions, wool textiles, and rubber goods. Where silver comes into contact with them, it forms silver sulfide, which then leads to black or brown tarnish on silver items.

Moisture: Humidity and moisture can accelerate tarnishing, as seen with silver-plated jewelry exposed to high humidity or water exposure, which often discolored more quickly than pieces stored under dry conditions.

Skin Oils and Sweat: Body oils and sweat can cause tarnish, especially if worn frequently. Over time, these substances react with the silver in your jewelry piece, causing its finish to wear.

Chemicals: Silver-plated jewelry exposed to chemicals found in household cleaners, cosmetics, perfumes, or lotions may tarnish more quickly due to exposure. These substances react with the silver layer and speed up its process of discoloration.

Preventing Tarnish on Silver-Plated Jewelry

Though tarnishing will inevitably occur, there are steps you can take to slow the process and keep your silver-plated jewelry looking sparkling for longer:

Store Correctly: For best results, silver-plated jewelry should be stored in a cool and dry environment, such as an airtight container or jewelry box with anti-tarnish strips.

This helps minimize exposure to air and moisture, reducing the risk of tarnishing.

Avoid Chemical Exposure: To reduce chemical exposure, keep jewelry out of direct contact with household cleaners, perfumes, lotions, and cosmetics. Instead, use these products before putting on jewelry to limit potential direct contact between these items and your jewelry. Can you shower with gold-plated jewelry?

Wear with Care: For best results, remove jewelry before engaging in activities that cause excess sweat production, such as swimming or showering, since moisture from these activities may accelerate the tarnishing of its surface.

Regular Cleaning: For optimal performance, regularly wipe your silver-plated jewelry down with a soft, dry cloth to remove oils and dirt to prevent the buildup of substances that cause tarnishing. This can help ensure its beauty for years.

Use Anti-Tarnish Products: Use anti-tarnish strips or pouches in your jewelry storage to absorb moisture and sulfur compounds that cause tarnish on jewelry pieces, keeping your storage organized and free from tarnish.

Clean, Tarnished Silver-Plated Jewelry

If your silver-plated jewelry has become tarnished, there are various methods you can employ to restore its shine and clean it effectively. Here are a few effective cleaning techniques:

Mild Soap and Water: Combine a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water and mix it into a solution using a soft cloth or sponge dipped in water. Rub tarnished areas before rinsing with clean water and drying with another soft cloth.

Baking Soda and Water: Mix baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste. Apply to tarnished areas using a soft cloth or sponge rubbing motions, then rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.

Vinegar and Baking Soda:

For more arduous tarnish removal, combine one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of white vinegar in a shallow dish.
Soak jewelry pieces for several minutes before gently scrubbing them with a soft cloth.
Rinse and dry before storage or reuse.

Commercial Silver Cleaners: Various commercial silver cleaners are designed to remove tarnish from silver and silver-plated items effectively. For best results, please follow the directions on each product packaging.

Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda:

Line a bowl with aluminum foil with the shiny side up.
Add hot water, one tablespoon of baking soda, and one teaspoon of salt.
Place your jewelry into the solution, ensuring it touches both pieces.
Wait several minutes.
Rinse thoroughly to use chemical reactions to dissolve tarnish.

This method relies on chemical reactions instead of physical processes of removal.

Carrying Silver-Plated Jewelry and How to Care for It

To keep your silver-plated jewelry looking its best, follow these care instructions:

Store Each Piece Individually: Store each piece of jewelry separately using soft pouches or dedicated compartments within your box for best results. This will prevent scratches from scratching against each other or becoming tangled.

Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaners that could scratch silver plating; always opt for soft materials and gentle cleaning methods.

Maintain a Regular Polish: For optimal results, regularly using a silver polishing cloth to keep jewelry shining can help remove minor tarnishes and prevent further discoloration from developing.

Handle with Care: To ensure optimal care of your silver-plated jewelry and its longevity, be gentle when handling it. Remove it first before engaging in activities that could damage it.