Why does gold oxidize and silver darken? What to do?
Does gold oxidize and what can I do about it?
If You have a 100% gold bar. then it won't oxidize, right. But most gold jewelry is made with impurities of other metals, such as silver, copper, Nickel, for practical reasons.
Does gold oxidize and what can I do about it?
- The first and main reason: because the product contains other metals that interact with the environment and are oxidized. Directly gold-no, ade impurity-Yes. Therefore, for example, we can observe oxidation on the gold at the base of the nail earrings or on the inside of the ring, if you wear the jewelry without removing it;
- When jewelry interacts with iodine, it destroys the molecular structure of the outer layer of the product.
- Cosmetics, detergents, and certain medications contain substances that favorably affect the appearance of jewelry made of gold and other precious metals.
Why Does Silver Tarnish — What Causes It and What Can You Do?
Silver turns yellow or darkens due to chemical reactions on the surface of the metal — this is a natural characteristic. Here are the main causes:
🧪 Reaction with sulfur in the air
Air — especially in cities or near industrial areas — contains traces of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).
This gas reacts with silver, forming silver sulfide (Ag₂S), which appears as yellow, brown, or black tarnish.
💅 Cosmetics and perfumes
Creams, nail polish, deodorants, and perfumes often contain sulfur, chlorine, or acidic compounds — all of which accelerate tarnishing.
💧 Contact with sweat
Sweat contains salt, amino acids, and sulfur — all of which oxidize silver.
Tarnishing occurs faster if your skin has a low pH (more acidic).
💡 How to prevent tarnishing:
• Regularly wipe your jewelry with a soft polishing cloth that’s specially treated for silver, or use a dedicated silver cleaning solution.
• If your silver tarnishes too quickly, consider applying a rhodium plating for long-term protection. Rhodium, a platinum-group metal, does not oxidize. A thin layer of rhodium prevents the silver from reacting with hydrogen sulfide in the environment.
Mass-produced jewelry is often rhodium-plated by default — usually to hide surface imperfections. However, we offer custom rhodium plating, because rhodium gives silver a cool, bluish tone that not everyone prefers.
✨ To keep your silver jewelry beautiful for years to come, it's important not only to understand why it tarnishes, but also to use the right care products.
At our store, you can find:
— A double-layered cloth for cleaning and polishing jewelry with special treatment for daily care — it gently cleans and restores shine.
— A jewelry cleaning kit — everything you need for deep, at-home cleaning of your silver pieces.
💍 You can also visit our workshop — we accept jewelry for professional cleaning.
With the right care, your silver will stay as brilliant and radiant as the day you bought it.