This time, I will write about how to handle and care for silver.
- why does it turn black?
- Solution for blackheads
- daily care
why does it turn black?
Let's start with the conclusion. Darkening occurs when the surface of silver becomes silver oxide due to a phenomenon called sulfidation that occurs in response to sulfur content. The air and human sebum also contain trace amounts of sulfur, and sulfuration occurs when this reacts with silver. Also, I often hear that if you enter a hot spring with silver accessories on, it turns black, but this is also a phenomenon caused by sulfuration.
There is basically no way to prevent it. As mentioned above, it also reacts with air, so the only way to prevent sulfidation is to avoid contact with air, which is not realistic. Therefore, daily maintenance becomes important.
*If you put it in a vacuum pack, it will reduce the area that comes into contact with the air, so you can prevent it. Of course, it can be reduced by putting it in a pocket bag when storing.
Solution for blackheads
When sulfidation occurs, a sulfide film forms on the surface of the silver, causing it to turn black. Some people think that once it turns black, the inside is corroded, but it is only the surface that is blackened. The silver inside is kept in the same condition as when it was purchased. Therefore, just removing the blackheads from the surface will bring back the shine of the silver.
1. Polish with a soft cloth or abrasive cloth
Repeated wearing will generate a sulfide film on the surface, so you can prevent sulfidation by polishing with a soft cloth after wearing.
Also, if it has become dark, you can restore its shine by polishing it with a cloth. If the blackening is severe, you can remove the sulfide film more efficiently by polishing it with a cloth containing an abrasive .
*Please be aware that if you polish too much with a class that contains abrasives, the silver itself may be scraped off.
2. Wash with baking soda and hot water
This is the most efficient way. Prepare a container and cover the container with aluminum foil. Put about a tablespoon of baking soda in it and add boiling water. Bubbles will be generated, so if you put silver in it, the blackheads will fall off. i love this I want to do this, but I don't know if it will sell, so I like to buy a dirty ring and use baking soda to polish it to make it shiny.
However, it is strictly prohibited to use baking soda on accessories with stones or silver-plated rings, as it may deteriorate the stones or peel off the plating.
In this case, polish only the silver part with a cloth.
Basically, we believe that customers can do 1. polishing with a cloth or 2. baking soda. If you have any questions or concerns after purchasing, please feel free to contact us! !