How to Clean a Silver Necklace That Turned Black: Simple Tip

Imagine this: You’re preparing for a special night out. You’ve carefully chosen your outfit, applied your makeup, and picked out your shoes. You’re ready to add that perfect finishing touch—a beautiful piece of silver jewelry. But when you open your jewelry box, you’re met with a disappointing sight: Your favorite silver necklace is covered in unsightly brown and black tarnish, making it look unwearable. What do you do now?

While tarnish on silver jewelry can seem like a nightmare, the good news is that it’s easy to clean off—if you do it the right way. Using the wrong products or techniques could not only fail to remove tarnish but might cause more damage. Fortunately, once you know how to clean silver jewelry properly, keeping your pieces looking fresh will become second nature.

Continue reading to discover how to restore your silver jewelry, extend its life, and ensure it’s always ready for wear when you need it.

What Is Silver Tarnish?

Silver tarnish is the result of a chemical reaction between the metal and non-metal compounds in the air, typically oxygen and sulfur dioxide. This reaction forms a layer of metal oxide (sometimes metal sulfide or chloride) on the surface of the silver.

While tarnish on silver is not corrosive and doesn’t damage the metal beneath the oxide layer, it can be unsightly. In some cases, silver exposed to chlorine or acids can develop pitting, which can be more damaging. Tarnish can appear as a yellow, brown, black, or gray coating, and it may be patchy. Sterling silver, which contains copper, tarnishes more easily than pure silver, often resulting in darker tarnish. Even pure (fine) silver can develop a matte gray oxide over time.

Most jewelry is made from sterling silver or similar alloys because pure silver is too soft for crafting durable pieces. However, some silver jewelry may be plated with a thin layer of pure silver, which can help slow down tarnishing.

Why Does Sterling Silver Turn Black?

Sterling silver turns black primarily due to tarnish, which forms when silver reacts with sulfur-containing substances, particularly hydrogen sulfide, in the air. Several factors can accelerate tarnishing, including:

• Pollutants: Living in areas with high pollution or near the coast can speed up tarnishing.
• Skin’s pH: Some people’s skin oils or natural pH can cause silver to tarnish more quickly.
• Household Chemicals: Certain substances, such as cosmetics, perfumes, and food items, can trigger tarnishing.

What’s the Best Way to Clean a Silver Necklace?

If you’re trying to remove tarnish from a silver necklace, avoid the time-consuming task of polishing each link individually. Instead, try a dip or soak method. Here’s an eco-friendly DIY solution for cleaning your silver necklace:

1. Prepare a Cleaning Solution:
   • Line a bowl with aluminum foil (shiny side up).
   • Fill the bowl with enough boiling water to fully submerge your necklace.
   • Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda for every 500ml of water. Stir gently to dissolve.
2. Soak the Necklace:
   • Add your tarnished necklace to the solution and let it soak for up to 30 minutes.
   • Once done, carefully remove the necklace (allow it to cool if necessary).
3. Rinse and Buff:
   • Rinse your necklace with clean water to remove any remaining residues.
   • Buff it gently with a soft, lint-free cloth to restore its shine.

Important Tip: This method is not suitable for silver jewelry with embellishments held by adhesives. The hot water could melt the adhesive and damage the piece.

Alternatively, you can soak your necklace in a bath of cola. The acid in the cola can help remove tarnish, but be sure to only leave the necklace in for a short period. As soon as the tarnish disappears, rinse the necklace thoroughly and buff it with a soft cloth.

How Should You Store Silver Jewelry?

While you can’t completely prevent silver from tarnishing, proper storage can slow down the process. Silver tarnishes more quickly in humid environments, so minimizing exposure to moisture and air is key. Here’s how to store your silver jewelry to help protect it:

• Use Airtight Storage: Store your jewelry in a cloth pouch, felt bag, or zip-lock bag to keep it sealed from the air.
• Silica Sachets: Consider placing silica gel packets in your jewelry box to absorb moisture and further reduce tarnishing.

How To Prevent Silver Jewelry From Tarnishing?

In addition to proper storage, there are some lifestyle changes and habits that can help minimize tarnishing:

• Avoid Moisture: Never wear your silver jewelry in the shower, swimming pool, or while doing activities that could expose it to moisture.
• Remove Jewelry Before Sleeping or Exercising: Sweat and natural oils from your skin can cause tarnishing over time, so it’s best to remove your jewelry during these activities.
• Keep Chemicals Away: Avoid spraying perfume or applying makeup or sunscreen directly onto your silver jewelry. Wait until these products dry before putting your jewelry on.
• Dry Jewelry Immediately: If your silver jewelry gets wet, dry it immediately with a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth to prevent moisture buildup.

FAQ’s

How to Remove Black Coating from Silver?

To remove black tarnish from silver, use a silver cleaner or make a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply the paste gently to the tarnished areas using a soft cloth, then rinse and dry thoroughly. This should restore the silver’s shine.

Is Silver Fake If It Turns Black?

Silver turning black due to tarnish doesn’t mean it’s fake. Tarnishing occurs when silver reacts with sulfur in the air. However, if a piece of jewelry marked as silver tarnishes unusually quickly, it could contain a lower percentage of silver or be silver-plated rather than solid sterling silver.

How Do You Fix Silver That Turned Black?

To fix silver that has turned black, use a silver polish or a paste made from baking soda and water. Gently scrub the tarnished areas with a soft cloth, rinse the item thoroughly, and dry it to restore its original shine.