Sterling silver is a soft and precious metal, which makes it appealing to those who appreciate its luster and shine. Unfortunately, when exposed to sulfur-containing gases in the air, sterling silver tarnishes, which results in the darkening of the metal’s surface layer. When this occurs, the overall appearance of the silver changes drastically. Furthermore, determining how long this process may take can be difficult due to varying concentrations of sulfur-containing gases in different environments.
Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?
Yes, Sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to sulfur-containing gases in the air. Additionally, it can be produced because of salty air, chlorine, humidity, sweat, cosmetics, household bleach, and other strong chemicals.
Regarding understanding why sterling silver tarnishes generally, experts attribute such behavior to a reaction between silver and sulfides containing hydrogen atoms (Ankersmit et al. 2005). This reaction causes a chemical change on the surface layer of the silver, which then causes it to darken gradually. It is important to note that these molecules are present in most environments, and therefore, over time, they will cause sterling silver pieces to tarnish if left untouched or unexposed to other factors.
The rate at which sterling silver tarnishes depends mainly on environmental conditions, specifically the concentration of sulfur-containing gases such as hydrogen sulfide (HS) in the air. In museum settings, for example, where a layer of dark tarnish may take months or years to form, HS concentrations typically range from 86 parts per trillion (ppt) up to 600 ppt (Ankersmit et al. 2005). Other factors, such as moisture levels and temperature, can also affect how quickly or slowly sterling silver tarnishes over time, yet not as much as HS concentrations.
Fortunately for owners of sterling silver items, one can take steps to slow down this process or even reverse it entirely. One approach is to clean the items regularly with polishing cloths that contain chemicals explicitly designed for use with precious metals like gold and silver (such as Goddard’s Silver Care Cloth). Additionally, one may store their valuable pieces away from sources of humidity or places where HS levels are higher than usual – such as near certain industrial buildings or near heavily trafficked streets where vehicle exhaust contains high amounts of sulfur compounds like HS gas.
In conclusion, while there is no sure way to prevent sterling silver items from eventually becoming tarnished over time due to contact with sulfur-containing gases in the environment – there are steps one can take to reduce this process significantly and prolong its effects on your beloved possessions!
Please read our article about sterling silver flatware worth.
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