How to Prevent Your Jewelry From Tarnishing

As a jewelry consumer, there is nothing worse than pulling out that perfect shiny necklace to go with your new dress to find that it’s dull and tarnished.  This is a chemical process, that occurs when silver jewelry is exposed to oxygen and sulfur particles in the air. The same happens to other metals like brass, copper, tin, and even lower karat gold and gold-filled jewelry.  But don’t worry, we have some tips to help you prevent your jewelry from tarnishing.

Why Does Your Jewelry Tarnish?

• Metals corrode (tarnish) by the reaction with common gases in the atmosphere, usually sulfur. These corrosive gases react with both ferrous (iron-based) and non-ferrous metals. However, these gases are the primary cause of tarnish and corrosion of non-ferrous metals (such as silver, gold, tin, copper, brass, etc).

Tips to Prevent Tarnish and Corrosion

• Use a special anti-tarnish bag, tab, or strip to keep jewelry clean. Intercept™ protects ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as prevents galvanic corrosion, it’s the only anti-tarnish product to win the German Environmental Award. The materials Intercept™ use in bags react with and neutralize all corrosive gases that contact the film. It provides 10 years of protection against corrosive gases per mil of Intercept material. 

• Stay away from the sunlight. When you enjoy the long-time sunlight on the beach, is better to remove your jewelry because it can react to the sulfur dioxide in your diet. If you eat acidic foods like eggs, garlic, or lemons — when you exude it out your skin, it will have a direct reaction with your ring, necklace, or bracelet.
• Keep it dry and cool. As we all know, in humid and hot places, metal is prone to rust. So when you shower or go swimming, put your jewelry into a jewelry box with anti-tarnish strips or in anti-tarnish bags. Moisture and liquids will increase the speed of tarnish and corrosion. Remember to keep it away from lotion and shampoo.

How to Clean Your Tarnished Jewelry

If your jewelry is already tarnished, it’s important to clean it before applying any anti-tarnish products, as these do not remove existing tarnish. Start by mixing a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water. Use a soft cloth or cotton ball to gently rub the jewelry, then rinse with cold water—be sure to plug the drain to avoid losing any small pieces. Dry the jewelry thoroughly with a soft, clean towel, and finish by buffing it with a polishing cloth designed specifically for silver.

Alternatively, you can use a commercial jewelry cleaner, available online or at most drugstores. These products are usually safe for all metals, but be sure to read the instructions carefully before use.

If you find it difficult to remove the tarnish yourself, consider taking your jewelry to a local jeweler for professional cleaning. Many jewelers offer complimentary cleaning services for items purchased from their store, so it's worth checking in advance.

Do you have any questions about preventing your jewelry from tarnishing? Send us an email at sales@jkfindings.com.

In the jewelry, silver & precious metal industries, protecting your products from tarnish & corrosion during storage, shipment and display has a direct impact on your bottom-line. This is why we supply our customers with effective anti tarnish items like anti tarnish strips, anti tarnish paper, anti tarnish bags, and more! We are your one-stop shop for silver tarnish prevention.