How to prevent silver from turning black

Caring for silver: how to choose, store and care for items.

Silver jewelry belongs to luxury jewelry, and sometimes to jewelry. In addition, silver is used to make dishes and cutlery. This metal has numerous characteristics, is suitable for almost everyone (unlike gold, it does not cause allergies), and what is no less pleasant is that in most cases it is a budget option.

In this article we will tell you how to select, store, care for and clean your silver so that it brings joy not only for many years, but also for several generations.

Why does the silver surface darken and turn black?

To decide exactly how to clean silver at home quickly and effectively, you need to understand why it changes color.
Mystics blame otherworldly forces for the darkening of the metal, and physicists claim that other elements influence silver. Reasons for changing the color of metal:

excess humidity in the room;
regular contact with wet skin;
hormonal changes;
taking certain medications;
the owner's sweat contains excess sulfur;

Interesting!
When sweat contains a lot of nitrogen, jewelry stays light in color longer.

influence of cosmetics and care products;
food influence;
frequent contact with rubber;
improper storage conditions;
poor quality alloy.

How to clean silverware

It is not recommended to clean and wash silver cutlery (especially without rhodium plating) with conventional dishwashing detergents: they can accelerate the processes of oxidation and sulfidation, that is, the formation of a dark coating.

In modern hardware stores, looking for means for cleaning silverware is almost pointless: there is no demand - no supply. You can try your luck in jewelry stores: they often sell all kinds of sprays and pastes for cleaning silver in all forms. However, they are not cheap, and you definitely won’t find them in small towns (well, unless you are willing to wait for delivery from an online store by mail).

Don’t be sad: cleaning silver from blackness at home is not such a technologically complex process. And the necessary substances will probably be at your fingertips - in extreme cases, you will have to run to a pharmacy, a regular hardware store or a grocery store.

Cupronickel silver is often confused with silver - they are indeed very similar in appearance. Cupronickel was invented as a cheap substitute for silver. It is an alloy of copper and nickel and is widely used in the production of cutlery, jewelry, coins and medical instruments.

So, let's try to quickly and effectively clean silverware without the involvement of jewelry workshops and special tools.

How to clean silver yourself - general rules

To restore an attractive appearance to a silver item, you can use various means. The choice of a specific method depends on several factors:

metal sample or alloy composition;
the presence of coating or decorative inserts (stones, enamel, etc.);
pollution levels;
dimensions.

Subtleties of cleansing

If you have no experience in cleaning silver, it is better to use the simplest and most gentle means possible. Expensive jewelry, such as filigree or items with high carat and stones, should be entrusted to professionals and taken to the nearest jewelry workshop.

Important!
Aggressive agents are used exclusively for silverware without inserts and for cutlery.

Simple items and dishes can usually be cleaned independently. The stores offer professional series for metal care. It is also permissible to use folk recipes that have been tested for centuries.

General recommendations:

Radiant silver is treated with a soft cloth so as not to be scratched;
when using the foil method, the clean product must be thoroughly rinsed with running water;
use lemon juice or hot water to add shine;
dry cleaned items with a paper towel or hair dryer;
for polishing use flannel, wool, suede, or eraser;
After cleaning, leave the jewelry untouched for 2-3 days to form a protective layer on the surface.

Is it possible to boil silver?

Some recipes involve heating or boiling. Silver products are boiled only in a glass container in a water bath.

Important!
Heating speeds up any reaction, so you need to be very careful when boiling silver.

Recipes suitable for boiling:

citric acid solution (100 g per 700 ml of water) with the addition of copper wire: boil for 20-30 minutes;
baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per 500 ml of water) with the addition of foil: boil for 10-15 seconds;
Coca-Cola: boil for 3-5 minutes;
salt solution (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water) with the addition of chicken egg shells: boil for 15 seconds;
washing powder solution (1 tablespoon per 500 ml of water): boil for 2 minutes.

What to soak silver in to clean

Soaking silver items is an effective but time-consuming method.
Soaking Recipes:

salt solution (1 teaspoon per 200 ml of water): keep for several hours;
water with chopped raw potatoes: keep for 2-3 hours;
5% sulfuric acid solution: keep for several hours, to speed up the reaction, heating is permissible;
10% formic acid solution: hold for 10 minutes.

What to do if silver is darkened by water

With frequent contact with water (visiting the pool, washing dishes, swimming in a pond, etc.), jewelry suffers. Darkening and black areas appear on the surface, and the shine and attractiveness disappear. The easiest way to avoid this is to remove all jewelry before coming into contact with moisture. And if the products have already darkened, you can use any suitable cleaning method.

How should you properly store silver jewelry?

Store the mineral separately . This is the most important rule for storing precious metal - each piece of jewelry needs its own personal place. For example, if you purchased a special box, it is unacceptable to store more than one piece of jewelry in one compartment, bag, or section.
Do not allow decorations to touch each other . You need to carefully ensure that the products are at a safe distance from each other - even accidental contact of jewelry can provoke significant deformation of the mineral.
Monitor the humidity and temperature levels in the room. Even a small, short-term imbalance in atmospheric conditions towards excess humidity can lead to significant oxidation of silver. Excessive heat provokes the appearance of black plaque.
Keep silver as far away from heaters and radiators as possible. The factor is the same - excess heat with prolonged exposure will lead to severe blackening of the metal.
Wood is the best material for storing the mineral . When choosing a box, it is best to choose wooden analogues, since wood is the most environmentally friendly and safe material.
A box for storing silver jewelry should have a soft inner lining . The soft cover inside the box will protect the mineral from hard contact, which means it will protect it from scratches and mechanical deformation.
A specialized case is the best way to store jewelry. These cases have several compartments that are designed for a specific type of jewelry. For example, there is one compartment for rings, and another for chains, bracelets, crosses.

Silver cleaning products

The choice of methods for cleaning silver is very wide. You can use folk compositions, with the addition of improvised means and products. Good results can also be achieved by using specialized products. Range of professional products:

spray;
liquids;
napkins.

They are purchased in jewelry stores or in departments with household chemicals.

Solutions

Manufacturers of special solutions for metal care guarantee results. Liquids gently and effectively cope with any contaminants. Professional solutions can be used for products with stones.

Napkins

There are 2 types of cleansing wipes: impregnated and non-impregnated. As a rule, microfiber is used, which does not leave marks or scratches on the surface. Napkins are used without the use of additional products.

Important!
Napkins are only suitable for smooth surfaces; it is difficult to treat embossed and multi-level products with them.

Impregnated microfiber should not be used for jewelry with pearls, mother-of-pearl or coral. There are disposable and reusable wipes; one piece is enough to clean 5-10 products (depending on their size).

Rhodium silver turns black: safe cleaning methods, tips with photos

Plating silver with rhodium, or simply rhodium plating, protects silver from oxidation and blackening, deformation, and also gives the product a purer, whiter shine. Rhodium-plated jewelry has gained considerable popularity in recent years and has become a worthy competitor to gold.

An important point is that rhodium plating is thin and requires careful care, since abrasive particles can remove the rhodium-plated layer and expose the silver to oxidation. It is no longer possible to “save” such a product, only to re-plate it with rhodium at the jeweler.

Gentle cleaning of rhodium-plated silver is the best way to extend the life of your jewelry

Please note that rhodium plated silver may become stained or darkened, but not blackened. If such a product has darkened, you can clean it in two ways:

Regular light cleaning should be carried out using ordinary damp, lint-free wipes, followed by polishing with felt;
To thoroughly clean the product, you need polish or wipes for cleaning silver products.

If the silver has turned black because it has been left for a long time without being worn, you can clean it using the above methods. If such methods do not work, then the product is damaged and the rhodium layer has been removed. Take your piece to a jeweler to have it re-plated with rhodium.

In this article, we do not present traditional methods for cleaning silver, since they not only clean the jewelry poorly, but also spoil it. Take care of your silver items carefully and professionally, and they will serve you for many years!

How to clean silver at home - ways

Before using any traditional method, you need to wash the product in running water using soap. You can also soak the metal in warm soapy water. After soaking, the product is washed and dried. Then you can begin cleansing using one of the traditional methods.

How to clean silver with soda

Dilute baking soda powder with water to form a paste. Apply the product to the metal surface and remove with a soft cloth after 10 minutes.

For gentle cleansing, you can use a soda solution:

Combine 250 ml of water and 20 g of powder.
Boil, stirring.
Place foil on the bottom.
Place silver in the hot solution for 15 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with tap water.

Cleansing with toothpaste

Apply toothpaste to the surface using a soft cloth and rub particularly dirty areas. When completing the procedure, rinse the product with running water. After the metal has dried, it should be polished with a soft, dry cloth, such as microfiber.

Important!
You can only use toothpaste without additives or impurities.

How to clean metal with tooth powder

Mix the powder with water to form a paste. Apply the resulting mixture to the surface with a soft cloth. Rub the product in one direction, then rinse it under the tap.

How to clean silver with vinegar

Table vinegar is effective if the contamination is fresh. A 6% solution is used. It must be applied to the fabric and wiped over the product. At the end of the procedure, rinse the metal with water.

Cleaning silver with citric acid

To clean silver, use a 10% citric acid solution.
To do this, dissolve 10 g of powder in 100 ml of water. Wipe the product with the resulting composition, then rinse with water. Citric acid is also used when boiling. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

Add 100 g of acid to 500 ml of water.
Place a piece of copper wire into the liquid.
Boil the contents.
Place the product in the container.
After 15 minutes, rinse all items.
Dry.
Polish.

Cleaning silver with salt

Table salt cleans silver well. Procedure:

Combine 500 ml of hot water with 25 g of salt and 10 g of citric acid.
Place the product in the solution for 10-20 minutes.
Rinse the products.
Dry.
Polish.

How to clean with hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an aggressive liquid, so it is diluted with warm soapy water. You need to place the product in the resulting mixture, after 2 minutes, remove it and rinse.

Cleansing with Coca-Cola

Pour a carbonated drink into a saucepan, place silver, and boil. After a few minutes you need to evaluate the result. Boil the cola until the silver is completely clean.

How to clean silver with olive oil

Olive oil is only suitable as a silver polish. Therefore, it is impossible to get rid of dark spots with its help. But it will give you a mirror shine. To do this, apply a few drops of oil to microfiber and wipe the product.

How to clean after tarnishing?

Once your silver has already tarnished, you can use jewelry polishing pastes to remove the black coating. Another choice is to use a silver polishing cloth. Cleaning with silver polishing cloths will allow you to clean it without scratching the metal itself.

You can also take your silver jewelry to a jewelry store to have your silver jewelry professionally cleaned.

If you prefer to clean your silver jewelry at home, you can use the following silver cleaning method:

take a glass bowl;
pour some hot water;
add one or two tablespoons of salt and baking soda;
place your silver items in the container and leave them there for about five minutes;
Once the tarnish has disappeared, rinse your jewelry with water and dry it using a soft cloth.

If the silver is very dirty or tarnished, you can use aluminum foil to get rid of dark spots:

Simply line the bottom of a glass bowl with aluminum foil;
place the decorations on top of the foil and fill them with moderately hot - not boiling - water;
add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the water and stir until it dissolves;
soak the items for approximately 20 - 30 minutes;
then rinse well and dry them with a soft towel.

This method eliminates dullness and restores radiance and shine.

Some people use toothpaste or powder to clean their silver. However, there is a danger that the toothpaste may be too abrasive and scratch your jewelry. This is usually affected by the softness of the silver alloy and the type of paste or powder used. Some brands are more abrasive than others.

If your silver item has a flat surface where scratches can be easily seen, you should not risk using this method.

How to clean silverware

Regardless of frequency of use, silver cutlery needs regular cleaning.

Important!
To maintain the attractive appearance of the appliances, they are never washed in the dishwasher. Noble metal requires careful handling and manual cleaning.

The most popular method is to rub the products with tooth powder. It is quite soft, and at the same time penetrates into the recesses. Ammonia is also used:

Combine alcohol and water in a ratio of 1:10.
Place the dishes in the solution for 30-60 minutes (depending on the degree of contamination).
Rinse the devices with running water.

Proper care of silver spoons and other silverware

If your silver spoon has darkened, it means you haven’t spent enough time caring for your valuable cutlery. Above we have listed the most effective ways to keep your silver cutlery in order. It is enough to use them from time to time: once every few months or even a year, especially if you use silverware infrequently.

As part of regular care, silver just needs to be washed properly, and only then, if necessary, radically cleaned and polished.

The best way to wash silverware is as follows:

Dissolve shavings of laundry or baby soap in hot water.
Soak cutlery in the solution for about an hour.
Using a soft sponge, carefully remove any remaining food, rinse, and dry.

How to store silverware

If you are the happy owner of such valuable cutlery, you should take care of their proper storage. Main conditions: dryness, stable room temperature, protection from sunlight.

Silverware sets are usually sold in special boxes with a velvet backing, which are best used for permanent storage. Such cases provide personal compartments for each spoon and fork.

Under no circumstances should silver be lying around in a kitchen drawer mixed with less noble cutlery. If you don’t have a special case or you use a silver spoon all the time, then at least store it separately, wrapped in a cloth.

It is better to leave silver cutlery for special occasions, and for ordinary meals use something less pretentious and capricious. The exception is a children's silver spoon.

What to do to prevent silver from turning black

It is necessary to regularly pay attention to silver products - clean and polish them. It is also important to pay attention to the rules for storing and using silver:

It is better to keep all products in a dry and dark container (box, case, etc.);
prolonged contact with food, medicines and rubber should be avoided;
before visiting the shower, swimming pool, washing dishes, visiting the bathhouse or gym, jewelry must be removed;
Before applying the cream to your hands or face, it is also advisable to remove jewelry.

How to prevent silver from tarnishing?

There is no way to protect your silver jewelry from black tarnish because silver reacts with so many materials in everyday life.

For example, fading can be accelerated by contact with tap water (because it contains chlorine), many foods (such as salad dressings), your perfume, hairspray, and even woolen clothing.

While tarnishing is a natural process that cannot be prevented, it can be slowed down. To slow down tarnishing, clean your silver jewelry after wearing it.

Oils from your skin accumulate on the surface of the silver and can cause it to oxidize. Use warm water to wash your jewelry gently. They should then be dried using a soft cloth.

You can also delay tarnishing by polishing your silver jewelry regularly. Use a polishing cloth to clean your silver items when you notice the first signs of tarnishing.

Silver polishing cloths are quite inexpensive and last a long time. They are suitable for cleaning and polishing jewelry that is lightly to moderately soiled. You can also take your silver jewelry to a specialist to have it polished.

Minimize exposure of your silver jewelry to substances that may cause it to tarnish. This means you should not wear your silver when washing your hands or taking a bath.

Don't forget to take off your silver rings when cooking. Also, avoid wearing your silver necklaces with woolen clothes. And remember to only wear your jewelry when you've put on your makeup.

Unique properties of silver

Silver is found in nature 20 times more often than gold , and is also a rare noble metal. Scientists have found that it can “curb” almost 700 types of pathogenic bacteria and viruses (antibiotics can only cope with 7 varieties at a time). Its ions disinfect water, destroy microbes, helping a person regain health as quickly as possible.

However, the other side of the coin is high sensitivity to the environment. Pure silver is not used in the manufacture of items. Copper impurities must be added. It is copper that easily reacts with many elements, especially oxidizes from exposure to sulfur and gives a black color to silver.

With high humidity, climate change or air pollution, the clear moonlight begins to fade, giving way to a dark coating. Over time, it accumulates, thickens, and soon envelops the entire surface in black.

If you immerse a silver item in sea or mineral water, the same thing will happen. The salts and elements of almost the entire periodic table will do their job, absorbing the elegant shine with a gloomy blanket of blackness.

By the way, this blackened metal has always had its fans among connoisseurs with taste. Therefore, craftsmen often deliberately darkened the brightness of jewelry or household utensils, artificially aging them.

How to store silver so as not to darken?

Dirt and dullness are easier to prevent than to eliminate. Therefore, regular gentle cleaning is simply necessary for silver jewelry.

There are also some rules for storing products that will help prolong their shine:

Products are best stored in a dark and dry place. A box or jewelry box is suitable for this. By the way, silver should be stored separately from gold;
before taking water procedures or starting active training, it is better to remove silver jewelry so that it does not oxidize from moisture;
Silverware should be washed immediately after eating and stored separately from other kitchen utensils. It can be wrapped in parchment;
After wearing jewelry, it is advisable to wipe it with a lint-free cloth.

Thus, in order to avoid advanced cases that only a master can handle, it is better to follow the rules for storing silver items.

And the ways to clean silver that we described above will help maintain the shine and cleanliness of your favorite silver items for many years.

Why does silver turn black on the body?

Silver turns black on the body
They say that silver can maintain a special relationship with its owner. If the owner’s nature is rich in vivid emotions, then the metal will kindle the skills of increased sensitivity in him and at the same time protect him from negative influences from the outside. But a callous psyche, not inclined to sentimentality, will not get along with noble silver, getting continuous troubles from it.

In a way, silver jewelry acts as an indicator, sending open signals to a person about his condition. And they are expressed by the same blackening. When the owner experiences stress, a deep, long-term experience, the products he wears begin to darken. Why is this happening?

Life activity

In the process of life, people sweat. This liquid contains sulfur. The chemical reaction leads to the oxidation of the metal with the formation of a persistent coating. Surely some have encountered similar phenomena at some point of upheaval. Many sweat glands are concentrated in the neck and décolleté. Therefore, chains and pendants suffer first.

Human ailments and silver

During periods of illness, the composition of the blood and pH on the surface of the body changes. Silver actively reacts to all innovations, changing color. The likelihood of blackness is almost inevitable with ailments of the liver, kidneys, heart problems, and endocrine system. Even without being sick, pregnant women or teenagers may notice this behavior in their jewelry. It is explained by hormonal surges that affect the composition of enzymes secreted by the body.

Taking sulfur-based medications or intense physical activity lead to the same result. In both cases, the formation of chemical oxides of silver occurs.

What enhances the oxidation of silver

Oxidation can occur gradually, not even noticeably at first. But at the same time, there are factors that can speed up the process significantly. Knowing them, you can avoid problems and maintain the presentable appearance of your jewelry.

Low purity and impurities

Premature darkening can occur due to the silver not matching the stated standard. In other words, the alloy is defective. Each sample has a specific recipe according to which it is made. If there is more metal in the alloy than required, then the silver is not of high quality.

Another reason is low sample. Jewelry is almost always made from 925 sterling silver. Therefore, they are less prone to blackening. Cutlery 875, they contain more copper and, accordingly, the tendency to discoloration is increased.

To protect manufacturers, it is worth adding that silver without impurities will not have strength and easily loses its shape. Therefore, it is necessary to make an alloy from different metals.

Increased air humidity

You can see that when it rains, takes a shower, goes to the pool or sauna, silver darkens faster. This is due to the fact that the body sweats, and the sweat itself evaporates much more slowly. There is already enough humidity in the air. Therefore, the number of sera on the body is growing, to which the pectoral cross and other silver items quickly respond.

It is worth adding that in addition to black, the alloy can also acquire a light color. This occurs due to nitrates present in the skin. The decomposition process of silver sulfide predominantly takes place at low humidity.

What should you do to prevent silver from turning black?

If you want to preserve the beautiful shine of your jewelry for a long time, you should not wear them before going to the bathhouse (sauna), gym or to the beach. When you decide to do household chores, you should first remove your jewelry. And during illness, it is better to hide valuables away in a box. After all, the main thing is to get stronger as quickly as possible, and not to look smart while feeling unwell.

Such simple rules will help delay the moment of silver blackening. Although sooner or later this will definitely happen, because lunar metal is too gentle to the effects of hydrogen sulfide. And the latter is found everywhere: in the air, sea water and even on the human body. There is no need to be upset at all. Products can always be cleaned to make them shine again.

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How can you make sure that rhodium wears off more slowly and that uncoated jewelry does not darken so quickly?

Preventative measures are the most effective measures to preserve the shine of silver. The first and most obvious rule is not to get carried away with bathing your jewelry. Also, apply cream to your hands with rings with caution, gently spray perfume near your favorite pendant, and remove earrings and cuffs before going to the gym: silver and metal impurities react quickly to natural body secretions. But what if the product needs to be cleaned? “If your jewelry is a little dirty, you can gently wash it in soapy water or under warm water. Also, the microfiber that glasses manufacturers put in cases polishes silver well,” comments Ivan.

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Another tip from the pros concerns storing silver jewelry. “To preserve the shine of silver, it is necessary to wipe the jewelry with alcohol before putting it on the shelf after wearing it. It is advisable to store products in fabric bags so that the silver does not interact with air,” Olga emphasizes. Ivan Tengran also noted: “For some alloys, it is very important to wear them. Because sometimes it happens that a piece of jewelry sits, for example, for six months, without air in a confined space, and becomes dark. Or a drop of perfume remained on a ring or earrings, it lay there for two or three months, it was not touched, but an unfavorable environment remained on it, which influenced the appearance of stains and dark spots.” So don’t be alarmed if something goes wrong and the jewelry in the box changes color without your intervention.

Blackening technique

But blackened silver is considered the most aristocratic. This technique flourished in the seventeenth century. Then, with the help of blackening, they gave the products elaborate patterns. It was considered prestigious to have objects made of this type of precious metal in the house, for example, cigarette cases, cutlery and even furniture.

Due to the difference in the colors of ordinary and blackened silver, maps, engravings depicting nature, and animals were drawn. Sometimes the cost of such products reached several thousand dollars. They are still valued, especially the old handmade ones, and are sold at auctions for incredible amounts of money.

Therefore, buyers today are still interested in the question: what is blackened silver and what is the essence of the technique? The answer is very simple: blackening is a technique in which silver sulphide is deposited on the product. This, of course, can be achieved if you simply do not clean the jewelry, but such blackening will be uneven and cheap. But jewelers carry out this procedure in two ways:

Mechanical blackening of silver involves mixing graphite with iron oxide and adding turpentine to this mixture. Next, the substance is carefully applied to the silver item or its parts, wait until it dries, and then wipe with a suede rag soaked in alcohol. A variation of the mechanical method is the use of galvanization. In production, solutions with reagents are poured into special baths and two electrodes are placed there. A decoration is attached to one of them, and current is passed through the other. The process is called electrolysis and allows you to evenly apply a layer of blackening to the product. True, this layer will be more superficial and susceptible to abrasion. And also it cannot be applied to individual areas of the decoration; the product turns out to be completely blackened.
The chemical procedure involves using a powder consisting of a mixture of metals: silver, zinc, lead, sulfur. This powder is poured into parts of the product and then, together with the decoration, is heated to the desired temperature. Next, the powder melts and eats into the product, coloring it black. The procedure involves polishing and polishing the product.

The main thing is to remember when choosing jewelry that blackened silver and oxidized silver differ from each other. Oxidized jewelry is a product on which a layer of oxide film has been applied. This method is cheaper and was invented for additional protection of jewelry. The oxide film quickly wears off when worn and is cheaper than a blackened product. They can be distinguished by their appearance: the shade of oxidized silver is darker than that of blackened silver and the details of the decoration have a non-uniform color.

Gilding

A thin layer of gold plating is applied to the product. Basically, 750-carat gold is used for this technology. But there are exceptions when the manufacturer uses higher quality metal. Sputtering with precious metal does not affect the declared sample in any way.

The cost of silver items when gilded increases. With constant contact with an aggressive alkaline environment, the gold plating layer can quickly decrease. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of things that have such a coating (remove them before taking water procedures, do not swim with them in the pool). If you follow these simple recommendations, your gold-plated silver jewelry will look great and could easily become a family treasure.

Do you like stylish things inlaid with stones? If you are not indifferent to boxes, cigarette cases, brooches, then go to the online catalogs of our website - you can find a lot of interesting things for your collection in them.

Silver is a great choice for necklaces, rings, bracelets or other accessories to enhance your wardrobe. This metal is versatile and adds a fashion-forward look to casual wear or soft elegance to dressier ensembles.

However, one of the most common complaints about silver items is the metal turning black over time. How can I clean black deposits from silver items? Why does silver actually tarnish? Can you prevent this?

Every piece of silver jewelry develops a black coating after some time. This is the result of a chemical reaction that occurs when silver comes into contact with air and various substances.

Silver tarnish is a form of corrosion, but unlike rust, it does not attack the metal itself and can be removed relatively easily.

Self-blackening

Blackening silver at home is not difficult. Moreover, this can be easily done using available tools, and your decoration will take on a new look.

1) So, for the first method you will need:

a container that is hermetically sealed;
egg;
thread.

The egg should be hard boiled. Next, peel it and cut it into two parts. Place the halves in a container, and hang a silver item from the lid of the container. Blackening will be formed due to the action of hydrogen sulfide on the jewelry, but the blackening of silver may be uneven, so it is recommended to change the position of the jewelry from time to time. If there are stones on the jewelry, wipe them while blackening. The method itself is harmless, but the inlay may darken slightly if it is not wiped.

2) For the next method you need to purchase sulfur ointment. Then apply it to the product or those fragments that should later turn black. Apply a hairdryer with warm air to the jewelry and you will see how it changes color, becoming black. After the procedure, polish the product.

3) You can also apply blackness using iodine. This technique is only suitable for jewelry with relief. Iodine is applied with a cotton swab and dried in the sun. It is best to polish finished blackened silver using a brush and toothpaste.

Only gentle methods are suitable for cleaning blackened silver. Do not use acids or boil the product. If you want to clean your jewelry, simply prepare a soapy solution and add a pinch of baking soda to it. The water should be warm and the decoration should lie there for about 20 minutes. It is forbidden to rub blackened silver with soda or tooth powder; it can damage the blackening.

Products made from blackened silver are more solemn than ordinary ones. Therefore, it is appropriate to wear them at receptions or holidays. For everyday use, it is better to choose sterling silver options. And carefully monitor and care for blackened products.

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The main problem with silver is its cleaning. The reason for the darkening of silver is most often increased humidity in the room. Silver also darkens if it is stored near drugs or medications that contain sulfur. The reason that the silver has sharply darkened can also be the deterioration of the owner’s health. Darkening depends on the individual characteristics of the skin. Some people's jewelry darkens within a week, while others hardly change. Quite often, silver darkens when interacting with cosmetics. In addition, it is still better not to mechanically clean silver with toothpaste and other household cleaners. All of them cause micro-scratches on silver items. Therefore, to clean silver, you need to use special liquids and wipes, which can be bought in jewelry stores (Johnson “Silver Quick” cleaning liquid, silver cleaning liquid, Leuchtturm (Germany), etc. You immerse the contaminated items in the solution, after a few minutes (time depends on the contamination of the surface) remove clean, shiny jewelry. You can wash items without stones and with precious stones in the solution. A special composition will cover your items with a thin protective layer that will protect them from oxidation. After cleaning, you must remove the items from the solution and rinse with clean water , wipe with a soft cloth. Well, if that’s not possible, then silver and gold jewelry can be cleaned: - ammonia (diluted 1:10 with water); wipe with a cloth soaked in the solution; if it becomes very dark, you can dip it in the solution; - tooth powder or paste (preferably with soda) using a toothbrush; It would also be useful to remind you about the rules for storing jewelry. To avoid the appearance of dark spots on jewelry from touching wet skin, it is necessary to immediately wipe it with a dry flannel when removing the jewelry. When performing various household tasks, as well as when coming into contact with chemicals, it is recommended to remove rings, bracelets, and other jewelry, which protects them from damage and contamination. It is also recommended to remove jewelry when using cosmetics prepared on the basis of mercury and sulfur salts (sulfur easily forms black sulfur compounds with silver). Dark stains on silver items are caused by iodine. Jewelry should be stored in cases in a dry place. To keep your silver items shiny longer, store them so that they do not touch each other or other jewelry.

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Reasons why silver darkens

There are many versions of what can cause an alloy to darken. Popular beliefs say that blackened silver is a sign of trouble. Someone could damage or put the evil eye on a person. And as soon as the damage loses its power, the natural color will return. The story tells of the secret power of this alloy, which protects from harm and takes the full blow upon itself. Medicine, in turn, says that the reason lies in human health, and the darkening occurs through certain chemical processes interacting with bacteria. Science sees the reason in the presence of sulfur, from which silver comes into contact. Let's take a closer look at the real reasons why silver darkens.

Superstitions

If the cross on the neck has darkened, it means someone has caused damage or a curse. The stronger the darkening, the more powerful the spells. You need to monitor the color of the decoration, as soon as it becomes natural, everything falls into place and the damage is removed. According to legend, you can feel how life loses its colors, everything becomes gray and ordinary. Someone's presence is felt for no reason. Silver items take the blow and protect their owner, which is why they turn black. Under such circumstances, the question of how to bleach silver is not even close.

Before all that has been said, it should be added that a person who experiences such symptoms is most likely depressed. There is no need for silver here, it’s just a coincidence. Metal doesn't care what anyone thinks about its owner. And all the stories that for some reason our people still believe in come from paganism. People still can't refuse. And this despite the fact that everyone goes to church and considers themselves Christians. It's a pity when faith in superstitions is stronger than in God.

Health problems

This reason can be attributed to folk knowledge. The bottom line is this: darkened silver indicates poor health. This symptom was noticed a long time ago, and partly the disease may actually be related. The bottom line is that the body constantly produces sweat. In winter it is practically invisible, but in summer there is a lot of it. During illness, sweating increases significantly, especially when the temperature rises. Sweat contains particles of sulfur, which when in contact with silver causes blackening. This is not mysticism, but an ordinary chemical process.

One might think, if sweat is constantly released, why did the silver cross turn black on the body during illness? The reason is that during this period there is profuse sweating. On other days it also affects, but more slowly, so the darkening occurs gradually. Does this mean that the body is to blame? No, sulfur and oxygen are more likely to blame.

The science

In fact, the reasons for the darkening of silver are understandable and do not contain any mysticism. Under the influence of oxygen, the metal enters into a chemical reaction with sulfur-containing compounds. This process is also called oxidation. The color of the surface changes due to the dark layer of silver sulfide formed as a result of the reactions.

Products can darken not only on humans. Hydrogen sulfide is often found in the air itself. But the most common cause is interaction with sweat.

Why does metal darken?

First, it is important to understand why the silver in the house turns black. This can happen due to a number of factors:

High humidity.
In case of constant contact of the product with detergents or cosmetic products, for example, hand cream.
With constant exposure of the metal to human sweat. For this reason, crosses, pendants, chains, rings and bracelets most often turn black.

Since such factors can occur in any home, every housewife needs to know how to properly clean silver. Fortunately, today this can be done not only with the help of special formulations, but also with ordinary home remedies.

Reasons for darkening of silverware

Silver devices (as well as jewelry) are never made from pure argentum. Silver is a fairly soft metal, and spoons made from it will bend and deform easily. Therefore, alloys (other metals) are added to it, which give silver better performance characteristics. The lower the sample, the higher the content of ligatures.

Silverware turns black mainly due to the reaction of ligatures to aggressive factors: high humidity, cleaning agents, certain substances in food.

Nevertheless, silver itself is also not completely inert. Its worst enemy is sulfur, which is found in our natural excretions, as well as in some foods (for example, onions, garlic, eggs, etc.). The surface layer of silver reacts with sulfur and sulfide is formed - that unsightly dark coating that you would like to get rid of.

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If you are not choosing silverware from an antique shop, pay attention to rhodium-plated spoons, forks and knives. They are coated with a thin layer of rhodium, which makes the silverware more shiny and protects it from the appearance of a black coating.

How to prepare silver for cleaning

To make it easier for you to get rid of blackness on silverware, wash a ring or a pectoral cross from dark stains, the product must be properly prepared for cleaning. How to do this effectively? You should do the following:

First, you need to clean the item from any fat that has stuck to it. To do this, it is enough to wash it in ordinary soapy water. It is better to clean silver jewelry with a soft toothbrush - this way you can remove dirt even from exquisite jewelry with curves and stones.
After this, the item should be rinsed in cool water and be sure to wipe dry with a paper napkin.
If necessary, this cleaning can be repeated.

Advice:

If you don’t have soap on hand, you can dilute shampoo or regular dishwashing detergent in water instead. They will not spoil the material, but will help you remove fat quickly and effectively.

Immediately after this, you can begin processing the products with improvised means. Let's look at them in more detail.

Method 1 - ammonia

How to clean noble white metal with minimal effort? With vinegar! This product is best used if you want to treat a silver piece without stakes. It should be used like this:

First, you should prepare a solution of ammonia. For this, take 10 ml of ammonia and half a glass of cool water. These components need to be mixed until smooth and poured into a shallow dish, for example, a ceramic bowl.
Next, you will need to place jewelry silver in this solution. It is recommended to leave it in this solution for a period of 15 to 30 minutes.
After this, you should remove the product from the solution and clean it of any remaining blackness using a dry paper napkin.

Important:

if you need to tidy up a very dirty product, you can soak it in clean ammonia. Please note: you can leave the product in this product only for 10 minutes, no more.

There are also recipes for this remedy, in which ammonia is mixed with peroxide. They are quite effective, but are not suitable for all types of metal presented. In order to make sure that they can be used in your case, it is recommended to prepare such a solution, take a small amount of it on cotton wool and apply it to the back of the product. If the silver itself becomes lighter, you can use it for cleaning.

Method 2 - tooth powder

How to quickly clean jewelry or silverware if it is not too dark? You can do this using powder, as well as an ordinary fluffy rag. You will need to deal with these things like this:

First, you should wet a cloth and put a little powder on it.
With this cloth you need to gently wipe the product until the blackness comes off completely.
After this, the item must be rinsed in cold water and dried with a paper towel.

Video: cleaning silver with tooth powder:

Important:

During such cleaning, do not press hard on the product. The fact is that silver itself is a rather soft metal, which you can scratch if you work with it carelessly.

Method 3 - soda

How to effectively clean silver items if you don’t have any special products on hand? You can use regular baking soda for this purpose. In this case, you will need to act like this:

First you need to take a spoonful of soda and dilute it with water so that you get a thick paste.
You will need to scoop this slurry onto a cloth and wipe the product with the product until the black coating is gone.
After this, the product will need to be rinsed and wiped with a paper napkin.

Video: how to clean silver with soda?

You can also use baking soda as another method for cleaning jewelry. To do this you will need:

250 ml water;
20 grams of soda.

You will need to dissolve baking soda in water and then put the resulting solution on fire. When the liquid boils, you will need to put the item you want to clean into it along with the foil. All this should be left on the fire for 15 minutes, after which you will need to drain the solution and wipe the silver with a cloth. After this, your product will look like new.

Method 4 - citric acid

Silverware can also be cleaned using ordinary citric acid. To do this you will need:

half a liter of water;
100 grams of citric acid;
fragment of copper wire.

You will need to dilute the acid with water, place the resulting solution in a water bath, place a piece of copper in a container with the acid solution and wait until the liquid boils. After this, you will need to put the tarnished silver into the solution and leave it there for 15 minutes. After this, the silver item will need to be removed from the solution, rinsed under running water, and then polished with a cloth.

Video: cleaning silver with citric acid:

Method 5 - boiling

If your rings, earrings or cutlery cannot be cleaned with citric acid, ammonia or soda, you can use the universal bleaching method. For it you will need:

half a liter of water;
10 grams of salt;
10 grams of soda;
10 ml dishwashing detergent.

You will need to mix water with soda, salt and detergent, put in the item you want to clean, put the resulting solution in a saucepan on the fire and bring to a boil. This tool will allow you to get rid of blackness on any thing without any effort on your part. All you have to do is wipe it with a cloth to remove traces of dirt.

Method 6 - olive oil

What is the best way to clean expensive jewelry when you are afraid of damaging it? It is recommended to use regular olive oil for this purpose. It is not difficult to use it in practice: you need to take a cloth, put a small amount of oil on it and wipe the product well with it - it will remove the blackness very quickly. After this, you only need to rinse the item in cool water and be sure to wipe it dry.

Important:

Use this product on jewelry that has a slight coating on it. It may not cope with severe stains, and you will have to look for another, more effective recipe for this purpose.

Method 7 - table vinegar

How to bleach a product if there are no suitable detergents at hand? In this case, use vinegar. To remove black deposits from a product, all you need to do is take a small container, pour half a glass of vinegar into it and put the decoration or cutlery in it. They will need to be left in a container with vinegar for an hour or two so that the product completely removes the black coating. After this, you just need to rinse the item with water and wipe it.

Advice:

If your chain or ring is not very dirty, you can simply wipe it with a cloth and vinegar. But this method will not cope with old plaque.

Method 8 - lipstick

Earrings without inserts, as well as rings, can be easily and quickly cleaned using ordinary lipstick. To do this, you will need to take a piece of soft cloth, generously apply lipstick on it and wipe the product you need with it. After this, the jewelry will only need to be rinsed in running water.

Important:

You can use this method even if you are working with fairly fragile things. The fact is that lipstick contains very small abrasive components that will not leave scratches on the metal.

Method 9 - ready-made remedies

If you are afraid of damaging products with cubic zirconia or pearls when cleaning with household products, you can use special ready-made mixtures for this purpose. They can be purchased at jewelry stores along with special wipes for cleaning jewelry. It is enough to simply treat the product with these products, then gently wipe it, and it will look no worse than the day it was purchased.

Important:

If you still cannot figure out how to clean silver at home, it is recommended to take it to a workshop. This is what you should do with those things that have three-dimensional patterns or numerous stones. The specialists in the workshop will easily deal with any stains on such items and return them to you in perfect condition on the same day.

How to Polish Silverware

In addition to cleaning it from dirt, it is customary to polish silver to a mirror shine. The most well-known and accessible means for these purposes is the chalk already mentioned above.

Among the professional, but cheap and time-tested products, we can name the well-known GOI paste. After treatment with it, even shallow scratches disappear from the surface of silver.

Polishing with a soft eraser

If you have schoolchildren or art enthusiasts in your home, you will probably have erasers. Just rub the surface with an eraser and your silverware will shine.

It is best to use classic soft pencil erasers made of rubber. However, in the absence of them, any others will do, the main thing is not too tough.

Polishing silver with lipstick

To polish silver, you can theoretically use any color of lipstick. It's simple: apply lipstick to the surface and rub it vigorously with a cloth.

This method is best used in extreme cases. Firstly, the polishing effect is not so strong, and secondly, then you will be tortured to pick out the lipstick from the recesses.

How to clean items with stones

How to clean silver with stones? To work with such samples, it is recommended to use ready-made mixtures, which can be purchased in jewelry departments: they remove any dirt well and will not damage your jewelry.

If you want to use only home remedies for such a thing, you can prepare a solution with soap shavings. For it you will need:

250 ml water;
20 grams of soap shavings;
a few drops of ammonia.

You will need to dilute the soap in water, add ammonia, put the mixture on the fire, bring to a boil and turn off (it is forbidden to boil such a mixture). After this, you will need to take a toothbrush, put this product on it and thoroughly clean the darkened item with cubic zirconia. After this, you will need to take an ear stick, also moisten it in a similar solution and wipe the areas around the stones with it.

Important:

You should not try to clean items with pearls, amber or corals yourself - these stones are very easy to spoil. Almost all home remedies are not suitable for working with them. If you need to tidy up rings or earrings with such inserts, immediately take them to the workshop.

How to polish silver with special tools

You can polish silver at home, but with the help of special tools. In a jewelry store or workshop you can purchase pastes, solutions and wipes for polishing silver. They are easy to use, the main thing is to follow the instructions.

Special polishing products come in liquid, cream or spray form. Some are suitable for regular treatment, others are used only in cases of heavy contamination. Professional products will help you remove blackness and unpleasant plaque and give your jewelry a long-lasting mirror shine.

Cleaning blackened silver

Blackened jewelry silver requires a special approach to cleaning. If you are going to clean it yourself, you can use one of the following recipes:

Soap solution with added soda. You will need to add a small amount of soap or mild shampoo to the water, pour a little soda into the mixture and put the thing you want to clean into it. The item should be left in the solution for 20 minutes, after which it will need to be taken out and gently wiped with a microfiber cloth.
Potato. To use this method, you need to take a few potatoes, peel them, and then place them in a small bowl of water. In the same bowl you will need to place the decoration that you want to clean in this way. The product should be kept in this water for up to 20 minutes, after which it will be enough to wipe it with a cloth.
A regular eraser. This product is best used when you have already removed the main layer of dirt from a product that has darkened, using one of the solutions described above. This will remove any remaining dirt. It’s quite simple to use: you just need to wipe the dark stains with an eraser, and they will instantly disappear from the decoration or cutlery.

Important:

Under no circumstances should jewelry made of blackened silver be cleaned with powders, soda, or citric acid - all these products can damage the coating of the product, irreparably ruining it. This must also be taken into account if you want to clean a gold-plated silver ring, chain or earrings.

How to avoid tarnishing of silver?

Silver is a noble metal that is practically never used in its pure form.

Jewelry is an alloy that, in addition to silver, contains copper. It is this that influences the darkening of the metal.

Each silver jewelry is hallmarked, which allows us to determine the quality of the product.

High-quality jewelry, spoons, and minted coins are made from 925 sterling alloy. Also, the alloy of this sample has bactericidal properties.

There is 916 sample, it is less known, but is also considered high quality.

There is also a low-grade silver alloy, it has a standard from 720 to 830. This standard is used for industrial purposes. It is not used in high-quality jewelry.

How to handle radiated metal

Radiant silver can only be cleaned using special jewelry mixtures. Often, to give them a spectacular look, it is enough to simply rinse the earrings or ring in warm water, and then wipe dry with a special napkin.

Important:

In no case should you use toothbrushes or powders to care for such a thing. All these abrasives will simply destroy the thin sparkling coating. In the future, to restore an item damaged by such cleaning, you will have to contact jewelers.

It is also highly discouraged to try to clean such items with dishwashing detergents and similar products. When exposed to such substances, the coating on your metal may simply come off.

Silver products without sputtering

Please note that plating is not always used for silver items. At auctions you often find chains, cufflinks and brooches made from 925 sterling silver. There is no external coating on them. How to distinguish them? External feature: natural shine. It can be enhanced by polishing the bracelet or ring. Or, conversely, make the surface of the decoration look more matte.

Silver items that do not have a coating can be recommended for people who have overly sensitive skin. In addition, scientists have proven that objects made from this metal have antibacterial properties.

There are nations that endow silver with special magical powers. For it to be transmitted to humans, direct contact with the skin is required. It is for this reason that sputtering is not used in collections created by Yakut masters.

Uncoated jewelry has only one drawback: over time, it can fade and darken. But it’s easy to clean souvenirs made of this metal at home. It is better to entrust the cleaning of rare items to specialists in salons.

What to do in special cases

How to professionally clean silver to make it shine if the product has inserts? Or was it done using the blackening method? We talk about these special cases.

Stones in products

It’s worth noting right away that not all jewelry with stones can be cleaned at home. For example, pearls and amber are so sensitive that none of the self-care methods are suitable for them. It is better to immediately take such things to a jeweler. If you don’t know the name of the stone, then you shouldn’t take risks here either.

Gemstones such as sapphire and emerald are durable, hard and dense. They can be cleaned in any way. Ornamental stones such as malachite are very soft and cannot be cleaned with tooth powder, paste or even a sponge. Use ammonia solution, but add slightly less ammonia.

Some stones, such as ruby and topaz, change color when exposed to temperature. Therefore, such jewelry cannot be cleaned in hot water.

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Blackened silver

Blackened coatings cannot be cleaned using any of the above methods. They require accuracy and delicacy, and do not tolerate exposure to abrasives and chemicals. So, how to clean blackened silver at home in two ways.

Dissolve a little baking soda powder in soapy water. And leave things in it for 30-40 minutes. This way you can remove slight darkening.
The second method is more experimental. Peel a few potatoes, place them in a bowl of water and add decorations. After 3-4 hours, the accessories should become clean again.

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Gold plated details

The gold layer is very thin and soft, so it is not recommended to use harsh products such as powders and sponges for care.

One of the gentle cleaning methods is vinegar essence. To do this, just add a couple of tablespoons of acid to water and leave rings, earrings or chains in this solution. If stains remain, they can be removed with a soft cloth soaked in the same vinegar.

A more original method is to leave it in the beer. After that, do the same: rinse and wipe with a cloth. If there is contamination, use ammonia as in the first recipe.

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Enameled parts

This is a capricious material that does not tolerate physical impact and chemistry. It is best to take such items to a jeweler for cleaning. And in emergency cases, ammonia can also be used. But you can’t add any chemicals to it, only water.

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Cutlery

To clean cutlery, you can use all the methods described. With one amendment. What is good for 925 standard is not always suitable for 800, and such spoons and knives also exist. Therefore, before the procedure, be sure to check the sample and try to clean an inconspicuous area.

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What kind of silver is used in jewelry?

Look for the "925" (or "92.5") marking when purchasing silver jewelry. This means that it is pure silver, the highest grade for jewelry.

The marking indicates that the alloy consists of 92.5 percent silver. This also suggests that 7.5 percent copper (or other metals) was added to the alloy to increase its strength.

Silver itself is a soft, flexible and pliable metal. Without the addition of other metals, it is susceptible to scratches.