Common Sense and Science for your Sterling
Published On: 11-13-2011 05:20am
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Category: How To's
Many of us love sterling silver rather than gold. Gold tends to green our skin in many cases. The dificulty with Sterling is the tarnish factor. Even more dificult for chain is the kink and knot factor! Getting those knots out is really anoying! I have a few quick words of advice for both!
Let's talk briefly about types of sterling and why or why not they might tarnish. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Just a note, if you have had a reaction to sterling in the past, it was not the traditional sterling and may have been exposed to argentium or a metal alloy blend for cost effectiveness. Argentium is a tarnish resistant silver product where the copper has been replaced by germanium. Sometimes it is a germanium-nickle alloy. Thus, the allergic reaction to cheep sterling! The higher the nickle in the geranium, the less likely it is to tarnish. So when you buy Sterling, always ask if it is argentium.Next, tarnished silver is caused by a natural gas found in the air from certain chemicals that are of sulfur or nitrogen base. I will share a little on oxidation later. To prevent this from happening, you have to keep the item in an airtight container or bag. Many manufacturers keep anti-tarnish strips in the zippy to prevent tarnishing during storage and transport. You can find them but they are not a dime a dozen. Anti-tarnish liquids you buy in the store contain thiourea. Thiourea is an organic compound of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and hydrogen. By the way, it is a carcinogen and causes cancer! Not the best solution! Always read your labels!
Dainty chains, which are good at knotting and kinking, can be stored on a small card that fits nicely into a jewelry zippy. Make sure it is not a cellophane self-sealing bag. They are not airtight. The cards you can make yourself using an acid-free card stock(ie. acid causes tarnish). Cut the card 1/4" smaller than your little zippy and cut two slits about 1/4-1/2" into opposite sides of the card. The slits are to keep the ends of your chain in place, thus preventing kinking and knotting.
There are a few things you can do to keep your sterling silver from tarnishing. For home remedies, as it were, you can saw off a very small piece of ordinary white chalk(calcite) with a kitchen knife and store it in the zippy. The chalk absorbs any chemicals that would normally cause tarnishing. Another option is to purchase what's called silvercloth. This has a natural anti-tarnish capability. You can line your jewelry box with it or wrap your silver with it.
For your sterling silver that has already tarnished, there is a simple home remedy that works like a 'charm'. Line a small bowl with aluminum foil. Place your tarnished silver in the bottom. Slow boil some water and add about a 1/4 tsp of baking soda. Use common sense for amounts and materials. Stir, let set for 2 min to reduce the temp of the water just a couple of degrees and pour over your jewelry or silver pieces. Whala! The alkaline chemical reaction reverses the tarnish. You might get some bubbles, don't be alarmed, it's the chemical reaction. Like sodium bicarbonate and vinegar.
If you are concerned with melting your beads or hurting your pearls, water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The melting point for Lucite, plastic or acrylic is around 265-285 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the density and properties of the material. Pearls melt in acids and not water. Common sense, pearls are formed in water and some in salt water. Sodium bicarbonate(baking soda) is a form of salt. Most pearls are dyed in high temperature liquid dyes. More on that later.
I will be carrying the silvercloth fabric a little later after the holidays! It can be special ordered at about $6 per yard plus shipping.
