How to Prevent Silver Pendant from Tarnishing?


The glittering shine of silver metal is temporary. When silver comes in contact of moisture and chemicals; it will definitely tarnish. The good news is you can slow down the speed of corrosion of silver by taking some protective measures.

Here are six steps to prevent silver pendants from losing its shine  -

Wear is last - The chemicals present in your moisturizer, perfume, hairspray and makeup can oxidize the surface of silver. Save your silver pendant for the last moment. It should be the last piece of accessory you wear and the first one you remove after returning home.

Keep it away from water -
Pure water doesn’t damage silver. The water we are supplied at home is treated with chlorine which is responsible for the tarnish. To make it last longer, it’s advised to not wear silver in the bath, swimming pool, hot tub, etc. Also, the low-quality silver corrodes easily. When buying silver pendant online, look for a store that offers 925 silver jewellery.

Store it safe - The sterling silver contains alloys made of copper which reacts with the air to form a precipitate. It’s essential to store silver in a place where the exposure is minimal. The Ziploc bags are the best option for storage of silver. Fold the bags into half to reduce the accumulation of air while placing the jewellery into the bag. Most of the jewellers provide specialized bags to store silver. You can also buy these bags online.

Silica Packs - Remember the silica packs that come inside the containers you purchased for your kitchen? Don’t throw them. They are excellent adsorbent of moisture. Store the silver jewellery along with silica packs to reduce the formation of a precipitate. Other good alternatives are chalk and anti-tarnish strips.

Store separately - Keeping two or more silver items together can lead to tangling and scratches. To reduce the number of bags you might think of keeping all the silver in one place. It is a big no! Your jewellery will be damaged when colliding with one another.
Polishing - Adding a layer of a less reactive metal over jewellery is a robust protective strategy. If you dearly value the jewellery because of the ancestral significance or any personal reason, a rhodium polish will work for you.

Is your silver pendant showing signs of tarnishing? Don’t worry, follow these steps for a newly-purchased look -

1. Anti-tarnish cloth - The cloth is specifically made to absorb oxygen and sulphur. Gently rub the cloth on your jewellery in up and down motion. Avoid using circular motions.

2. Aluminum Foil -  One of the most effective DIY silver cleaning remedies is the use of aluminium foil. You’ll need boiled water, baking soda, salt and a bowl. In the bowl spread the aluminium foil. Add the boiled water, mix a spoon of the baking soda and two spoons of salt. Place the silver jewellery in the foil. After five minutes remove it and wash it with soapy water.

To will be surprised by the result, your jewellery will become brand new.

3. Toothpaste - The effect of this cleaning method depends on the ingredients of the toothpaste. Take a pinch of toothpaste in your finger or cloth. Rub it gently on the surface of the jewellery. Leave the toothpaste for a few minutes. Rinse the silver jewellery with lukewarm water.
Is tarnish still sticking to the surface? In this case, your jewellery required specialized treatment using tools. You will have to visit a jeweller. Some silver pendant online providers offer free cleaning services. 

Conclusion - To safe your silver pendant from tarnishing you should limit its exposure to air, chemicals and water. However, if the silver gets tarnished you can use the DIY silver cleaning remedies listed above. It saves the extra cost you have to pay for a professional. 

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