Silver jewelry is a great way to complement any outfit with grace and elegance, be it an evening dress or a formal pantsuit. But, unfortunately, over time, silver jewelry can lose its shine and iridescent color and become covered with the so-called patina (dark coating).
Why does silver on the human body darken? This happens due to chemical reactions between silver and skin. However, in addition to the strictly scientific explanation of this phenomenon, there are many signs indicating the reasons for the darkening of the metal.
Why does silver on the human body darken?
If your silver has turned black, yellowed or oxidized, it means it's time to have your jewelry cleaned. Additionally, a silver product can be plated with rhodium – it prevents the metal from blackening. So, let's figure out why silver turns green on the human body, why a favorite piece of jewelry can turn black or oxidize - both from a scientific and a layman's point of view.
Why does silver on the body turn black: the main reasons
As a rule, silver turns black from sweat. But in order to understand why patina appears on silver, you will have to delve a little deeper into chemistry.
Blackened silver rings
Silver in its pure form is a soft, malleable metal and practically unsuitable for making jewelry. Therefore, in the process of creating a new product, silver is mixed with harder metals - for example, copper. And copper reacts strongly with sulfur, which is contained in human sweat, and over time becomes covered with a patina.
If you see that the silver rings on someone's fingers have turned black, or the pendant on their neck has darkened, it is most likely due to the fact that the person often sweats and wears the jewelry without taking it off.
Health
Excessive exercise leads to increased sweating, which affects the color of jewelry. The released hydrogen sulfide, entering into a chemical reaction with silver, leads to gradual oxidation. The cloudiness of the metal also causes a change in the acidity of the skin.
The nitric acid contained in sweat can lighten the product. It reacts with sulfide crystals, destroys it and changes the color of the metal to a light shade.
Disorders in the endocrine system and hormonal disruptions lead to increased sweat. A sharp darkening of the metal may indicate diseases of the liver, kidneys and gall bladder. The chain on a woman's neck may change color during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
As a result of the disease, sweat becomes acidic and caustic. The fact that the disease affects the color of the jewelry has not yet been confirmed by science, but it is better to turn to medicine if the silver rapidly darkens after cleaning.
Signs about darkened silver
In folk legends, silver has a special place - it protects against evil spirits, protects against the evil eye and plays a large role in magical rituals. Blackening of silver signs are explained in different ways. Everything is important here - the part of the body on which the jewelry was worn, the gender and age of the owner, and even the type of item.
So, if a silver chain with a pectoral cross turns black on your neck, signs will say that you have been damaged, or have been very strongly jinxed. If the silver chain on a child’s neck becomes dark, you should go to the priest as soon as possible and once again consecrate both the cross and the chain in order to protect the child from evil spirits.
A chain with a pectoral cross turned black on the neck
If silver turns black on a man’s body, it means that someone’s evil intent condemns him to the life of a bachelor. It’s the same with a young girl - if her silver jewelry suddenly turns black, it means she’s wearing the crown of celibacy.
Not only jewelry, but also household products can turn black. So, if the silverware turns black, then according to signs, evil spirits have appeared in the house. To get rid of uninvited neighbors, sprinkle the house with holy water and read a prayer.
How to prevent darkening
- Boiling in hydrochloric or sulfuric acid will reduce the copper content in the surface layer. As a result, the product receives a matte finish.
- Cutlery, like jewelry, can be coated with pure argentum (electroplating). A product made of 100% silver, although it does not turn yellow, is very fragile and breaks quickly.
- For antiques, varnishing is suitable, which protects it from external factors. If you cover jewelry or cutlery in this way, you should not use them.
- A thin layer of wax will help protect against exposure to air. This method is called passivation and is used primarily for storage.
- It is better to keep jewelry in a closed box, on a piece of cotton or linen. After removing the product, it must be washed with soap and warm water and rubbed dry. It is recommended to periodically wipe the silver with a soft cloth.
- Today, most jewelry items in jewelry stores are plated with rhodium. It protects the surface and makes the products wear-resistant. However, during soldering, the sputtering takes on a bluish-black tint. To return to its original appearance, you will need to remove the layer and, if desired, cover it with a new one.
What to do if the silver has turned black
Do not despair if the silver has become tarnished or darkened. Unfortunately, a similar fate awaits many jewelry made from this metal - especially those that we wear without taking them off. Even if your favorite piece of jewelry has become covered with patina, it will not be difficult to clean silver from blackness at home. Choose any convenient method:
Using lipstick
Oddly enough, ordinary lipstick is one of the best silver cleaners. It contains a lot of fat and titanium dioxide, which not only help clean silver from plaque, but also give the jewelry a beautiful shine.
Cleaning silver with lipstick
Apply lipstick to the jewelry, take a brush and rub the product until it squeaks. The decoration will brighten before your eyes! However, it is worth keeping in mind that this method is only good for smooth jewelry without precious stones.
Using soda
Every housewife has baking soda in her kitchen. So why not use it to save your favorite pendant or ring?
How to clean silver with baking soda
Boil water and add soda to it at the rate of 50 grams per liter. Wrap the decoration in foil and lower it into the boiling solution for 10-15 seconds. Then rinse and dry the product.
Using toothpaste
Toothpaste contains polishing (abrasive) microparticles that will help you remove the patina from your silver.
Clean silver jewelry with paste
Apply the paste to a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging your jewelry when brushing. Polish the item, rinse it in cold water, and then dry it with a microfiber cloth.
Using egg yolk
Our ancestors used egg yolk long before there were lipsticks or toothpastes. The yolk will not only help clean the silver, but will also protect it from new plaque for a long time.
To clean your jewelry, soak a cotton pad in yolk and rub the surface of the piece. Let the yolk dry and then rinse it off with cold water.
With the help of ammonia
The most reliable way to clean jewelry is to treat silver with ammonia solution or ammonia.
How to use ammonia to clean silver
Pour a little ammonia into a jar and place the blackened product there. Leave for 10-15 minutes. After the procedure, rinse the jewelry with water and dry thoroughly.
Other reasons
Cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, and household chemicals accelerate the process of darkening of argentum. Some of them contain sulfur and other oxidizing agents that affect the color of the metal. You should not wear jewelry in the bathhouse, during physical activity or water procedures.
Stressful situations increase sweating, which is considered the main cause of discoloration. It happens that the chain darkens, but the bracelet remains light. This is due to different amounts of sweat produced.
Taking medications causes changes in blood composition, which is one possibility of darkening. Therefore, during illness, it is recommended to remove jewelry. With constant contact with clothing, argentum also turns black.
How to care for silver
To prevent silver from turning black, jewelers coat the product with rhodium. This material protects silver, which is susceptible to sulfur compounds, and helps it remain shiny.
Caring for silver jewelry
In addition, in order to protect the precious metal from patina, you should properly care for your silver jewelry - clean and polish it regularly, remove it when taking a shower or washing dishes, and do not play sports while wearing your jewelry.
Silver should be stored in a special box or case with soft upholstery. It is best to fold jewelry so that they do not touch each other - this way you will avoid scratches and chips.
Text author: Alexandra Tsiklauri
Changes in the appearance of the product due to the health status of the owner
The fact is that jewelry made from silver also contains copper. It is this that oxidizes, coloring the chain dark. And scientists consider human sweat to be the main cause of oxidation. In addition to salts, it contains quite aggressive compounds. In particular, amino acids contain sulfur. It is sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for the jewelry turning black. They form a silver sulfide film that covers the jewelry. That is, it is not the silver itself that darkens. It's just that dirt appears on its surface.
For some people, all silver jewelry tarnishes, regardless of what part of the body it is located on. Increased sweating can be caused by physical activity, changes in body temperature, and even changes in air temperature.
If only a chain with a cross or a ring has darkened, then this is a reason to visit an endocrinologist.
Because increased sebum secretion can occur under the influence of hormonal changes. Why does the pectoral cross most often turn black in pregnant women? The largest number of sebaceous glands are located in the armpits and on the chest. And the expectant mother experiences a real hormonal storm in her body. Naturally, sweat is released more strongly, and there are more aggressive substances in it.
But the reason for the darkening of a silver item may also lie in a serious illness. Some experts believe that such a change in the appearance of jewelry may indicate kidney and liver diseases. But there is no scientific evidence for this theory yet. Therefore, an unscheduled visit to the doctor will not be an unnecessary precaution.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CORRECT SELECTION OF SILVER CHAIN
Crosses and chains, both silver and gold, are an integral part of every Christian believer, and many others who do not associate themselves with religion in any way often use crosses as decoration.
Silver chains and crosses can be either modest and small or luxurious, encrusted with precious stones.
Silver chains differ in overall length, methods of weaving and connecting links, weight, and shape.
The most common chain length for men is 45-50 cm, while for women they are usually slightly longer than 50-55 cm. When choosing a silver chain for yourself or as a gift to a loved one, you need to take into account such a factor as the structure of the neck. So, for women with a short neck, longer chains are best suited, while for the owner of a “swan” neck, it is better to choose a short collar chain.
When choosing a chain, it is worth considering the weight of the decoration, since the higher it is, the more voluminous the product will look.
When choosing a silver chain for a man, you should proceed from other criteria. For a young man, a chain of medium thickness and length, with anchor, bismarck or armored weaving, is best suited. You can also consider the option of combined weaving.
We suggest you read: I made a love spell on 2 candles, what next.
Middle-aged men prefer wider, more massive chains, which in the best way emphasize their status as an accomplished, self-confident person.
Regardless of whether the chain is for men or women, you should pay attention to some decoration parameters. You should not choose a chain that has a fastener that is too small.
It is better if it is slightly larger than the chain itself. You should not experience any difficulty opening and closing the lock.
You should not choose a chain that has a fastener that is too small. It is better if it is slightly larger than the chain itself. You should not experience any difficulty opening and closing the lock.
Silver items, such as jewelry chains, are considered a classic and very popular option. Traditional or the latest technologies in the manufacture of silver jewelry make it possible to create unimaginable models and implement intricate and unusual design solutions. Haven't you decided yet how to successfully combine your cross with a chain? Then the following tips will be useful to you.
Color Compatibility
Make sure that the two products match each other in color, this is the key to good taste. Length. Ideally, it should be 2 sizes larger than the neck size.
The approximate length of the men's chain is 50 cm. Weight. Keep in mind that the cross should not weigh more than the chain. It’s good if its weight is half the weight of the chain, so it won’t pull it too much. Lock. Check its reliability and strength carefully. Weaving. Flexibility, elasticity and strength are the main criteria for weaving. The simpler it is, the faster and better the chains are repaired.
If the crosses are quite heavy, it is better to choose hand-woven rather than machine-woven chains. Machine weaving cannot always boast of reliability. Hand-woven chains are highly durable and almost impossible to break. At the same time, the chain does not lose its elegance and does not look too heavy.
What Science Says
Despite popular superstitions, modern science provides a completely logical explanation of the reasons why silver turns black. Since it is a metal, it can oxidize. This is a common chemical reaction that occurs when it interacts with the environment. For example, when the climate changes to a more humid one, with frequent contact of the product with water.
There are other known reasons for the appearance of blackness on silver jewelry. This is an interaction with sulfur-containing substances. For example, when using an ointment that contains sulfur. In addition, the metal can also interact with sulfur vapor contained in the air. This is especially true for residents of industrial areas where the environmental situation is not at its best.
