Why does my jewelry turn black?

Sterling silver jewelry is a beautiful accessory that is timeless and durable. However, one of the biggest disadvantages of silver jewelry is that it turns black over time. This can have several causes, such as oxidation and contact with certain chemicals.

Oxidation is the process by which silver reacts with oxygen and forms a thin layer of silver oxide on the surface of the jewelry. This layer causes the dark discoloration and can sometimes even lead to the silver flaking off. Humidity and contact with certain chemicals, such as perfume, hairspray and chlorine, can accelerate the oxidation process. A high acidity/the PH value of your body, can cause the silver to oxidize faster, causing the jewelry to turn black faster.

Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent your silver jewelry from turning black and to clean it if it does. Here are four helpful tips:

• Do not wear silver jewelry while showering, swimming or using cosmetics and hair products. Contact with water and chemicals can accelerate oxidation.
• Store silver jewelry in an airtight container, such as a plastic bag or one of our jewelry boxes , to avoid exposure to humidity.
• Clean your silver jewelry regularly with a soft cloth or silver polishing cloth to remove oxidation. Avoid using paper towels or coarse fabrics as these can cause scratches.
• Use a silver cleaner specifically designed for silver jewelry to remove stubborn oxidation. Be careful not to use harsh chemicals that could damage the surface.

Some gemstones can't stand water either, but we'll go into that in more detail another time. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.