How to polish and care for silver accessories to remove blackening, dirt, and discoloration

Silver has a gentle luster and a pleasant feel.

Silver is the most familiar precious metal, used in ornaments and high-end tableware. Silver accessories in particular are popular items for both men and women.

Many people have probably had the shocking experience of finding that their silver jewelry has tarnished after being stored away.

If you wear silver every day, it will naturally be polished by clothing and other items and will not tarnish, but if you leave it alone, the surface will turn black, become dull, and lose its shine. In most cases, with proper care, you can quickly restore its original shine. However, so-called "tricks" at home care can also damage your precious silver.

It is important to use specialized tools and chemicals to ensure safe and reliable care. Silver accessories come in a wide variety of types, from delicate jewelry to tough, smoked men's lines. Each has its own appropriate care method. Silver is a precious metal that retains its shine for a long time, with examples dating back to before Christ still in existence. We will introduce the correct care method to turn your silver accessories into a lifelong treasure.

Polish silver with a cloth to remove black spots, dirt, and scratches and make it shine again!

The easiest way to care for silver is to polish it with a special cloth.

First, remove any surface dirt by washing with water or wiping dry. If there is an oily film that leaves marks when touched, wash with a neutral detergent. After washing, thoroughly wipe off any water with a soft cloth. If the item has become dull due to makeup or sebum, this simple cleaning may be enough to restore its shine. Next, polish carefully with a cloth.

Specialized cloths contain fine abrasives that can remove small scratches and dark spots without damaging the surface.

Kasuu Kobo Original Silver Polishing Cloth

If the blackening does not come off with just a cloth or if there are scratches, use silver polish (abrasive).

A product called Winol is particularly well-known for its use on precious metals. A set of Winol and a cleaning cloth is also available. Applying a small amount of Winol and carefully polishing the problem area will make small scratches less noticeable. If the area is too shiny, polish the entire area again with the cleaning cloth.

Please note that if your silver accessories have natural stones, water, detergents, or abrasives can damage the stones. Be sure to polish only the silver part with a cloth. There is also the trick of using baking soda or toothpaste as an abrasive, but baking soda particles are soft and should only be used to remove very light stains, while toothpaste is too hard and can cause scratches. There is also the risk of polishing marks and chlorination, so we recommend using special care products.

If the silver is badly discolored, use silver cleaning solution to make it shine like new!

When the discoloration is severe, such as with chains or accessories with complex shapes, the sulfide film that causes the discoloration can be dissolved and removed rather than polished off. A cleaning solution (cleaner) specifically designed for silver products can easily restore the shine. This is a silver necklace that has turned completely black over the past two years. Place the accessory and cleaning solution in a container large enough to cover the entire accessory, and soak for about 15 seconds. The photo shows the accessory in the cleaning solution for about 5 seconds, but you can see that most of the color has already faded.

Rinse thoroughly with water and wipe with a soft cloth to make it shiny again.

Silver cleaning solution

The cleaner is a strong chemical, so be sure to wear vinyl gloves and use tweezers when working with it. It cannot be used on jewelry with organic or porous stones such as pearls or natural stones. To ensure the longevity of your precious silver jewelry, use care products specifically designed for silver.

Be careful when caring for oxidized silver!

Many men's silver accessories have been partially smoked black. This technique is essential for creating a hard-looking silver accessory, as it gives the accessory a three-dimensional appearance and shadows, creating a worn look.

The black color of this oxidized finish is the result of sulfurization. The silver is first blackened by sulfurization, and then the necessary parts are polished to create a three-dimensional effect. The sulfurized film of the oxidized finish is not particularly thick, and can be easily removed with home care to remove the blackening. Be careful not to soak the item in a cleaning solution, as this will remove the sulfurized film and make it shiny. To care for oxidized jewelry, simply remove all dirt and then carefully polish the shiny silver parts with a cloth.

Causes and prevention of darkening and discoloration of silver accessories

The main cause of blackening of silver accessories is sulfuration.

Silver reacts with sulfur in the air, forming a film of silver sulfide on its surface. It can also react with chlorine, causing it to turn black due to chlorination. Both of these processes are sometimes confused with the oxidation that causes iron to rust, but silver does not oxidize under normal conditions. Silver sulfidation and chlorination are likely to occur due to small things in everyday life.

For example, if you bring silver into a hot spring with a high sulfur content, it will tarnish black. The same can be said for bath salts that contain sulfur, so be careful. Other things to be careful of include perm solution, rubber adhesives, sulfur in sweat, and sulfur dioxide gas in automobile exhaust. Chloride occurs when silver reacts with chlorine. Always remove silver accessories when handling chlorine bleach or disinfectants.

Additionally, chlorine-based organic solvents used in dry cleaning can also cause chlorination, so keep silver away from clothing that has just been dry-cleaned. Silver chloride is harder than silver sulfide and is difficult to remove. Store used jewelry in a zip-lock bag to prevent it from coming into contact with air. While there are anti-tarnish agents available, they cannot completely prevent tarnish, so it is important to regularly clean your jewelry with a cloth.

Conclusion

The appeal of silver accessories is that they can be processed in a variety of ways to create a wide range of expressions. To enjoy your precious silver accessories for a long time, be sure to take care of them properly. It is also recommended to check the care instructions when purchasing.

At The Ichi, we can also re-polish or re-smoked items that are difficult to maintain at home, so please feel free to contact us.