How can you clean silver jewellery?

Anyone that owns silver jewellery has been through this situation. How do I clean my silver jewellery? Your beautiful piece of silver jewellery is suddenly getting black spots and it’s not as shiny as it used to be. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it? We will quickly explain why silver turns black, how you can prevent it and we will give 4 great tips on how to make your jewellery shine again.

Cleaning silver jewellery - Why does silver turn black?

Silver jewellery that has turned black is often called black silver or rusted silver. This especially occurs when the jewellery isn’t being worn often. The question that comes to mind is: Why is the silver turning black?

Silver is a precious metal. Pure silver is too soft to make into jewellery, this is why it will be mixed with other metals (usually copper). The official term for mixing metals is ‘alloy’. Mixing the silver with copper makes it hard enough to use for making jewellery, without it losing its shine. But how come it turns black? As we’ve all learned in chemistry class, the combination of different substances can cause a chemical reaction. Silver turning black, is really just the silver reacting to sulphur-containing substances in the air. This reaction is called tarnishing. The silver is combined with sulphur, forming silver sulphide. Silver sulphide is black. When a thin coating of silver sulphide forms on the surface of silver, it darkens the silver. It can be compared to a very thin layer of rust on iron.

The question still remains; what substances are we talking about exactly? For the chemists among us: It is H2S, also known as Hydrogen sulphide or sulphur compounds. I can almost hear you think: What are you talking about? Well, we are talking about the materials that contain sulphur. You can find it almost anywhere: In the air, vehicle exhaust gas, a lot of cosmetics, perfumes and even in eggs and fish.

Cleaning silver jewellery - How can I prevent my silver from turning black?

Of course, tarnishing of silver can be prevented. We have made a list of things you should avoid doing while wearing silver jewellery, to make things a little easier: Cleaning, swimming (especially salt water), wearing make-up, sweating.

• No cleaning: Take off your silver jewellery when you’re going to clean something. Cleaning agents often contain substances that will speed up the tarnishing process of your silver. And by the way: When we’re cleaning, we’re not going to a gala ;)
• Don't swim: Do not wear silver jewellery when swimming, whether it’s in a pool or in the sea. And do not wear silver jewellery when taking a shower or bath.
• Applying make-up: Take off your silver jewellery before applying make-up and doing your hair. Cosmetics and hair products will often contain substances that speed up the tarnishing process of your silver.
• Exercising: Do not wear silver jewellery while exercising. Sweat can contain sulphurous substances and combined with oxygen, it will cause your silver jewellery to tarnish.

Cleaning your silver jewellery - How can I make my jewellery shine again?

In order to make your silver jewellery shine again, it will need to be cleaned or polished. There are 2 different methods through which this can be done: Chemical and Mechanical. With the mechanical method, we use fine-grained material to polish the surface of the silver. The downside of polishing is that it will always remove a very thin layer of the silver. This doesn’t happen when using the chemical method. With the chemical method, we use substances that will remove the silver sulphide. Below, you will find 4 tips on how you can clean your silver jewellery yourself:

1. Homemade polish: You can easily make your own polish at home using chalk powder, toothpaste or cigarette ash. Whichever you choose to use, the most important thing is to thin it with a bit of water. After doing so, rub the homemade polish into your jewellery for a couple of minutes using a regular cloth. Please note: This polish is not suitable for matte jewellery, only use this on shiny silver jewellery.
2. Salt and aluminium foil: Another DIY trick you can use to clean silver is a salt bath with aluminium foil. Place a piece of aluminium foil (make sure it does not have a plastic coating) inside a bowl and pour hot, salt water over it. (20gr of salt per 100ml of water). Place your silver piece of jewellery inside the bowl. Through an electrochemical process, the silver sulphide will be converted into silver. Adding citric acid or vinegar will intensify the process.
3. Silver dip baths: You can purchase a silver dip bath online or in your local pharmacy. The silver bath makes the silver sulphide soluble in water, so it can be easily rinsed off. Please beware: Because of its chemical composition, the silver bath substance should not be poured down the drain. More information on this can be found on the product package.
4. Silver polishing cloth: You could also use a silver polishing cloth. These cloths are soaked in chemical substances that remove silver sulphide. The silver sulphide will stick to the cloth, which is why silver polishing cloths will turn black after use. The cloth removes a layer of silver sulphide without removing a layer of silver, like regular polishing does.

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So, did you make your jewellery shine again? We look forward to your before and after photos!