Why does costume jewellery tarnish

Thanks for such an interesting and wonderful blog. This is also a great method for intentionally oxidized pieces as you have more control, as you can stay away from these darkened areas. You can buy a commercial silver cloth to polish, but a soft piece of flannel sheet, microfiber, or any other nonabrasive cloth will do.

Make sure you do not use paper towels or tissues as they contain fibers that can scratch the silver. I find it interesting how you highlighted to store your jewels in a Ziploc bag but make sure you get rid of as much air as possible before sealing it.

My father who is celebrating his 25th anniversary with my mother wishes to get her a genuine golden diamond ring as he told me last Monday night over dinner. Thank you for this! Thanks for reminding me that moisture can wear down my jewelry. Close menu. Holiday What's New. What's New. All Bracelets Chain Bracelets. Wedding Shop. Shop Instagram. As Seen On. Log in. My wishlist. Close cart. Sending a gift? Include a message:. Shipping, taxes, and discount codes calculated at checkout.

Start Checkout. Oops, your cart is currently empty. So why does fashion jewelry tarnish? And why does some jewelry turn my skin green? Ways to Keep Your Jewelry From Tarnishing You might not be able to control the air around you or the skin you live in, but you can control the way you take care of your jewelry!

Keep It Dry The fastest way to tarnish your jewelry is by contact with moisture and liquids. Store It Properly Listen up, 'cause this one's important! Where you store jewelry is a personal preference in some situations. Do you prefer to see or keep it out of sight with your jewels on display?

In the shower or in the den, can you take off your jewelry? Regardless of your tastes, to secure your jewels, there are certain suggestions you can remember. By interaction with moisture and liquids, the easiest way to tarnish your jewels is This entails lotions, rubbing your hands, a spritz of perfume, and sweating with your jewels on.

The plating and metals will break off even the oils on your skin over time — and this can again differ from person to person. Will an accident leave your jewels wet? Right now, make sure to wash and dry them clean! Do an inventory of your jewels first. Create a few piles of fine jewelry, costume jewelry, and silver jewelry that are separate.

Costume jewelry should be kept away from silver and fine jewelry, and silver jewelry should be kept away from fine jewelry. When they communicate with each other, this distinction helps keep the metals from tarnishing. It's simple: Real gold never tarnishes , while faux gold—or gold-plated metal—does. If your jewelry needs to be cleaned, it's not real gold.

If you're still not sure, take it to your local jewelry store for a little assistance in identifying what it's actually made of. To clean your jewelry at home, Lowe recommends keeping it straightforward by soaking it in warm water mixed with just a few drops of mild soap. You could also try a bit of lemon juice, which can work wonders on oxidized jewelry. One more solution to try is a bit of white vinegar.

If your jewelry has gemstones in it, you're going to need to be a bit more careful. Ensure the water isn't too warm as that could loosen the stones. Don't soak it for too long either, since this could loosen the glue used to keep them in place. No matter which solution you use, don't forget to rinse your jewelry thoroughly in clean water afterwards to ensure there's no residue or lingering scent of vinegar left behind.

To clean her jewelry—costume or otherwise—Lowe uses a soft-bristle baby toothbrush to remove any dirt. After cleaning, she suggests thoroughly drying each piece by patting with paper towels.