Due to its brilliance and versatility, silver chains are one of the most popular pieces of jewelry. However, many do not want to buy them even in China, because they are afraid of darkening of the product. After all, when oxygen or sulfur comes into contact with silver, a chemical reaction occurs on its surface, and the metal looks dirty or discolored. Can a silver chain be wet? Let’s figure it out.

What do you need to know about the properties of silver?

How easily silver is processed and when it tarnishes depends on the purity of the metal. The 950th grade of Silver is more prone to bending, deformation, darkening than number 925.

It is important to consider whether the product has oxidation — this is a method that silversmiths deliberately use to darken the details of small jewelry in order to highlight them. This effect is lost when wetting, excessive cleaning and polishing.

Is it possible to wash with a silver chain?

No way! It is a well-known fact — if you want to wear a silver product for a long time, and it always looks aesthetically pleasing, you should avoid its influence from:

• with any cosmetic products — the chain should be worn last, after water treatments, application of care products (creams, lotions), make-up, perfumes and styling;

• household chemicals — silver chains must be removed before washing dishes, cleaning surfaces and wet cleaning. Not only because of darkening, but also for safety reasons. It can catch on something, which will lead to injury;

• human sweating — before heavy physical work, sports, dancing and before going outside in 30-degree heat, jewelry should be removed or not worn at all;

• chlorinated water — in the pool, water park, at the spa and balneological procedures;

• any substances that contain sulfur (eggs, mayonnaise, onions, latex, mustard) — this contributes to the formation of corrosion and tarnishing;

• direct sunlight — definitely causes tarnishing of silver, so the question «can you swim or sunbathe with a silver chain?» should not be

How to properly store a silver chain?

Since the influence of air greatly spoils silver, its storage in airtight bags is a good preventive option. Be sure to make sure that several pieces of jewelry are not in the same bag or compartment of the box. After all, silver is soft, even despite the alloy with copper or nickel additives for strength. If jewelry made of different materials is stored together, they can damage each other.

To avoid scratches, the chain with links should be stored unfastened. If it is not possible to use bags, make sure that the humidity in the room is low.

To minimize tarnishing of silver, you can place a piece of chalk or a tablet of activated charcoal or a container of silica gel in the storage area.

What can you do if you wet a silver chain with water and it darkened?

Simply polishing the chain works well when tarnishing is not severe. Never use paper towels or napkins to polish silver jewelry. They contain chemical fibers that can scratch the surface. Lint-free flannel, microfiber or other soft, non-abrasive fabric is suitable for this purpose.

When polishing, make only long movements. Do not rub in one place and in a circle, this contributes to the increase of microscratches. Use the tip of the knife carefully for processing small parts.

If your chain has darkened a lot and you don’t have time to finish it, take it to a professional jeweler. And if he is powerless, then in the Silvers online store you can always buy new jewelry made of 925 silver with delivery throughout Ukraine.