Tarnish is caused by the reaction of the copper, in the sterling silver, to humidity and elements. Even perfumes, lotions, hair care products and sweat will accelerate tarnish on jewelry…. Leave jewelry sitting out, exposed to the air most of the time, tarnish becomes inevitable.
Does salt corrode silver?
Tarnish develops on silver when it is exposed to air. Certain environments, such as areas with high humidity, will cause silver pieces to tarnish more quickly than those pieces stored in a dry environment. Some foods and chemicals, particularly salty or acidic foods, can rapidly pit and corrode silver.
Does water make sterling silver tarnish?
Water generally does not damage sterling silver. *But* water does cause silver to oxidize (darken) more quickly, and what type of water and the chemicals in it has an impact on how much it will cause your silver change color. Here are the dos and don’ts of exposing your silver jewelry to water.
Does cleaning silver with baking soda damage?
Although using baking soda and aluminum foil can quickly remove tarnish from silverware, some dealers caution against using it on antique silver, as it can be too abrasive and ruin the finish (especially if you’re unsure of the provenance and it’s possible that the pieces are not actually sterling silver ). Dec 8, 2017