One of the greatest precious metals we have is silver. Silver is a great investment, whether you buy bullion, silverware, jewelry, or any product made with metal.
But if you have any silver products, you want to make sure that you maintain them well. After all, silver can and will tarnish over time if not cared for.
But why does silver tarnish?
We've prepared this guide to help you understand why silver tarnish and how you can maintain your silver.
Why Does Silver Tarnish and What to Do About It
If you have thought about stocking up on a variety of silver products, you are making a wise decision. Silver products might bring you great returns in the future.
Now, let's look at the causes of tarnishing in silver.
Silver Products Are Susceptible
Silver products have varying degrees of silver content but usually aren't pure silver. As a result, they might tarnish.
For example, sterling silver is an alloy of silver and other base metals including copper. It's the element of copper that leads to the product tarnishing.
Silver bullion coins are also prone to tarnishing, even though they have a much higher content of silver.
Many people will see their silverware tarnish over time. If they own expensive silverware, this can be incredibly disconcerting.
What Causes Tarnishing?
The main cause of tarnishing in silver products is the concentration of sulphuric gases in the air. As a result, many silver products (particularly silverware) are oxidized with sulphuric compounds to give it an antiquated look!
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the most common sulfuric gas. If your silver is exposed to this gas, it will tarnish over time. If a silver product is dipped in a high concentration of sulfur, it can tarnish right away.
If your silver products are exposed to humidity, this can also lead to tarnishing. You want to keep your silver products in an area where the relative humidity is less than 50%.
Even the packaging that silver products come in can lead to tarnishing. If you buy from a high-end retailer (regardless of the silver product), you likely don't have to worry about this. But there's always the possibility that the packaging is too airtight and can trap sulphuric gases in it.
Now, let's look at what steps you can take to protect your silver products and avoid tarnishing.
Storage
You should consider the storage options for your silver products. This ensures that they are protected from contaminants and therefore, less prone to tarnishing.
For example, if you own an abundance of silver jewelry, you must consider a great jewelry box or organizer. For silver bullion, such as bars and coins, make sure you store them in a safe.
The storage not only keeps your silver products safe but also protects them from materials that can tarnish them.
For silverware, you can usually depend on the box/cases that they came in if you purchased them from a high-end retailer. Otherwise, you want to consider a case that has a soft inside cloth to wrap your silverware in.
Use With Caution
You want to ensure that you always use your silver products with caution. For example, silver bullion coins should not be left to lie around in your pocket, wallet, or purse as you would do for spare change.
Make sure to keep bullion coins and bars should in storage most of the time. The only time you would take them out of storage would be to clean, show, or sell them. Otherwise, do not take them out unnecessarily.
For silver jewelry, you shouldn't wear them when you are bathing, swimming, or exercising. They should be kept in their cases or in your jewelry box or organizer. Make sure you spend time at least once a month to polish your silver jewelry.
For fine silverware, keep them in their cases most of the time. Only bring them out for special occasions. You want to make sure these are not used for large dinner parties where anyone can mistreat them.
You should also keep them away from young children. Fine silverware should be designated for intimate gatherings, just as you would bring out the fine china for such a purpose.
Cleaning Your Silver
To prolong the quality and value of your silver products, you have to make sure that you regularly clean them. Invest in silver polish for your products.
You should make sure you always have at least one jar of polish at all times. Make sure you replenish as soon as you run low on silver polish.
For jewelry, make sure that you invest in a great jewelry cleaner. You must spend time at least once a month to clean all of your silver products.
If you have to use your products, make sure that you clean them as soon as possible. For example, if you wore a silver necklace for a special event, clean and store it away upon returning home.
Make sure to wash your fine silverware right after use. Unlike your other dishes and cutlery, you cannot leave this for the next morning. You should also handwash your fine silverware as opposed to depending on a machine dishwasher.
You want to make sure that you wear vinyl and cotton gloves when cleaning any silver products. Your bare hands can transfer oils and other contaminants to the silver products.
Choosing Silver Products
As you can see, silver products are challenging to maintain. When possible, choose silver products that have as much pure silver as possible. This is easier with silver bullion than with other silver products.
The higher the purity of the silver, the lesser the chance of tarnishing. You also want to make sure that you chose your retailer wisely, such as the jewelry seller we referenced. High-end retailers ensure that they provide the finest products that will last you for years to come.
Look After Your Silver
Now that you know why silver tarnish and how to maintain your silver products, you can choose your products and maintain them properly. Make sure to share this guide with your fellow silver enthusiasts.
Make sure to read more about silver, precious metals, and jewelry on our website.
