Lovers of silver jewelry quite often encounter the problem of darkening of products made from this metal. Moreover, some products can turn black in two to three months, while others do not lose their original shine for several years.
So why does the silver chain around your neck turn black? What are the reasons? The answer is quite simple: to make jewelry from this metal, it is not silver in its pure form that is taken, but an alloy that includes silver and copper.
Sulfur, in fairly significant quantities, which is part of human sweat, leads to the oxidation of copper. This is what is associated with the process of tarnishing and blackening of silver.
What health problems does a darkened silver chain indicate?
Silver can turn black not only due to external factors, but also due to internal ones. There is an opinion that health problems can affect the color of silver, making it darker. A darkened chain may indicate such internal diseases:
- hormonal imbalance leads to excessive sweating, including blackening of the chain. In this case, you need to contact an endocrinologist;
- problems in the functioning of internal organs. In this case, you need to go to the hospital for a detailed examination.
General information
People explain the blackened chain, starting from diseases in the body, ending with the curse that fate has placed on them. But is it really that scary, let’s find out.
Silver is a metal that is susceptible to chemical reactions. Since silver products are worn every day, sometimes not even taken off, in this case the silver reacts with sweat, which contains sulfur elements. When sulfur reacts with silver, silver sulfide is formed, which is black in color and remains a coating on the silver item.
Silver as a metal is very fragile, so alloys are used in the manufacture of silver products. They may also include those that oxidize upon contact with air, for example, copper.
Most often, chains and crosses darken on the human body. This happens because the largest number of sebaceous glands are secreted in the chest and neck area.
Please note that the formation of a dark coating on a chain does not always have a magical meaning, for example, during pregnancy, hormonal levels change and the product darkens.
If you have not worn the product for a long time and it has darkened, then do not think that evil forces have settled in the house. This is explained by the fact that in the place where it was located there may be high humidity and dampness in the room itself.
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.
Source
Prevention of darkening
In order to avoid having to persistently search for an answer to the question: “Why does silver darken?”, it is important to follow some recommendations:
- Wear the chain on a clean body without applying cosmetics to it . They can provoke and activate the occurrence of oxidation processes. We are talking not only about foundation correctors, but also regular moisturizing creams or products intended for everyday skin care.
- The same applies to various , etc.
- Remove jewelry during sports training, heavy loads, or in extreme heat, as sweating increases in such conditions.
- Avoid contact with water (remove when swimming in the shower, pool, sea or river).
- It is advisable not to wear a silver chain in places located near heavy industrial facilities.
- Protect the metal from contact with fuel oil, gasoline, and diesel fuel.
You may be interested in: What types of silver are there? Review of the most popular
Darkening of a silver chain should not be a reason to get rid of the jewelry. There are many ways to return a product to its original shine.
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.
Watch yourself
If suddenly your damaged silver jewelry bothers you with the following symptoms:
- Frequent colds
- Fatigue
- Headache
- General ailments in the body, then you should give this importance and consult a doctor, and not specialists in getting rid of damage. Since this may indicate the presence of a disease in the body, either being in a state of constant stress, or the presence of a disease of excessive sweating, hyperhidrosis.
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.
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.
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.
Storage rules
Pectoral crosses are intended for constant wear. But if you don’t always wear them, the jewelry should be stored in a closed box, otherwise it will quickly turn black. Storage in a common box is allowed if it has compartments for different accessories. You need to remove the box with jewelry away from sunlight and heating radiators. Protect your jewelry from dampness and mechanical damage. There is no need to place the cross next to medicines, plastic, or food.
If the cross will not be worn for a long time, it should be washed in a soapy solution, dried and wrapped in a flannel cloth or parchment. Do not store the product in a box with a rubber surface.
There are many home methods for cleaning silver jewelry. Their choice depends on what ingredients you have available at home. If the cross has stones, you must carefully choose the cleaning method so as not to spoil the decorative elements. Making a cleaning mixture is simple: you need to know the amount of ingredients and the correct algorithm of actions.
Weakening the biofield
Each person is surrounded by a biofield that protects from external negative influences. People believe that a darkening of the cross can signal a weakened aura.
In this case, the owner of the pendant often experiences melancholy, stops enjoying life, and begins to get sick.
The first sign of a weakened biofield is considered to be intolerance to communication with people who have strong negative energy. After such contact, a person with a depleted aura is able to lie down for a long time.
Positive emotions restore a weakened biofield well. Try changing your surroundings, for example, going on vacation. Try to solve problems as soon as possible. Avoid stressful situations.
Alternatively, you can turn to witches and traditional healers for help.
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.
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).
Preparing for cleaning
If you see a black coating on your cross, do not be upset; you can remove it at home. In addition, this does not require special means; most often, you can eliminate the blackness yourself using improvised methods. To do this, the product is wiped with different compounds.
Before cleaning the silver cross from plaque, follow the preparatory steps:
- Remove the blackened cross from the chain. The chain also needs to be processed if it is made of silver, but this must be done separately. Never clean items made of different metals, such as gold and silver, at the same time.
- Immerse the jewelry in the soapy solution. It is prepared from shower gel, laundry soap, and dishwashing liquid. Such products are harmless to silver items, so you can determine the volume of water and soap components yourself. The main thing is that the product foams well.
- Wash off any visible dirt. After 30-40 minutes, use a brush or sponge to remove dirt from the cross.
- Rinse the product under running water. You can wash the jewelry under the tap. But to prevent it from falling down the drain, you can fill a basin with water and lower the product into a small container for rinsing.
- Dry the decoration. There is no need to rub the cross too much with towels and sponges; you need to blot it with a flannel napkin.
Environment
For people living in areas with a humid climate, especially on the sea coast, blackening of the pectoral cross is common. Hydrogen sulfide quickly oxidizes silver.
In addition, water and air pollution has reached unprecedented levels. Drinking water is disinfected with chlorine, industrial enterprises produce huge amounts of sulfur compounds.
Advice: If, after swimming in a local pond, the pectoral cross turns black or there is a chemical production facility near your house and there is a smell of hydrogen sulfide, then it is better to change your place of residence.
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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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.
What should I do if the product has darkened and is it possible to get rid of the dark coating?
Varnish will help you with this. Cover the product with varnish and wait until it dries, and you should not wear the product for at least a couple of days so that the film on the product strengthens and an oxidation reaction does not occur.
Cleaning products
…from the shop
In specialized jewelry stores you will always find cleaning products for silver items. It is not recommended to use improvised means, since silver is a very capricious metal and when exposed to powders and other means, it may lose its original appearance. Therefore, contact a jeweler or specialized stores for help.
… improvised means
If it is not possible to visit a specialist, then at your own peril and risk you can use available means.
Since the time of our grandmothers, tooth powder . Gently clean the product using a toothbrush or a damp cloth, having previously sprinkled powder on it. You can also use regular toothpaste.
Ammonia or citric acid will be a good helper Maintain your concentration carefully. You only need a little product to clean the surface of the product using a sponge.
To enhance the effect, these solutions can be heated . Remember, if the product contains stones, this method is not recommended, as they are sensitive to such drugs. For a stronger effect, you can mix all the components, but the composition will be very aggressive and the product may completely lose its “marketable” appearance.
Using a heated solution of finely chopped laundry soap and a few drops of ammonia, you can clean blackened silver. Gently wipe the product with a cloth. To remove dark deposits in the area of stones, use a cotton swab.
If you have a stove in your house, then ash will be an excellent assistant in cleaning silver jewelry. Mix it with a solution of soapy water and ammonia and wipe the product.
Regular potatoes , previously peeled and mashed, should be left for 15-20 minutes, after which the blackened silver jewelry should be wiped. To prevent streaks from forming on the surface of the silver, rinse the item thoroughly in water.
If you find a black coating on your favorite jewelry, don’t be upset, don’t come up with terrible reasons for its formation, try using folk remedies, or better yet, take the product to a specialist.
Evil eye, damage, unrepentant sins
Some people associate the darkening of the cross with inducing the evil eye or damage. Others believe that the owner of the blackened silver item has committed a grave sin.
When putting on a cross, remember that it is not a magical talisman or amulet that will automatically protect the owner from evil forces without the participation of the person himself. You should not believe in church superstitions and old woman’s gossip; they distract from prayer and interfere with the fight against sins.
Private opinion: Father Vladimir Golovin believes that any issue must be approached with understanding. And the blackening of the cross is associated with spiritual reasons, but not for everyone.
If your pectoral cross is broken, blackened or lost, and your conscience convicts you of some sin, then go to confession.
“Simply wearing a pectoral cross is not everything. We must visit the temple of God, confess, take communion, live the life of an Orthodox Christian, then God will protect us from all evil,” says priest Dionisy Svechnikov.
