Silver rings are popular pieces of jewelry for all occasions. However, as beautiful as they may be, silver rings can also experience tarnish and changing colors over time.
Knowing the reasons why this happens can help you better maintain your silver rings for a longer lifespan. Let’s explore some of the more common changes to look out for and how you can prevent them from occurring.
Contents
Silver Ring Turned Copper
One of the most common changes in color is when a silver ring turns copper. This is due to a chemical reaction that occurs between the sulfur in the air and the surface of the silver ring.
This reaction causes oxidation, which results in the formation of copper sulfide on top of the silver material, giving it a copper tint.
To prevent this, make sure you store your jewelry away from direct sunlight or in an environment with low levels of humidity.
You should also clean your silver rings regularly with a soft cloth or special jewelry cleaner to keep dirt and debris off its surface.
Silver Ring Turning Pink
Another change that sometimes occurs is when a silver ring turns pink.
This usually happens due to exposure to water or other liquids containing certain minerals such as iron oxide or magnesium sulfate, which can cause corrosion on the surface of the metal and give it a pink hue.
To avoid this issue, make sure you take off your jewelry before washing dishes or swimming in chlorinated pools and other places where these minerals are present in large concentrations.
Silver Ring Turning Bronze
Finally, another common change is when a silver ring turns bronze over time due to exposure to oxygen-rich environments such as coastal areas or even just ordinary city air pollution.
To prevent this from happening, consider applying protective lacquer sealant onto your silver ring every few months or so; this will help protect it against oxidation caused by oxygen molecules in the air.
Conclusion
Understanding why tarnish and changes occur with your silver rings can help you better maintain them for longevity and vibrancy.
Common issues include turning copper due to oxidation; turning pink because of minerals present in water; and turning bronze due to oxygen-rich environments like coastal areas or city air pollution .
Taking proper steps such as storing away from direct sunlight, taking off before washing dishes or swimming, cleaning regularly with soft clothes/jewelry cleaners, and applying protective sealants can all help prolong the life of your silver jewelry pieces!
READ MORE: How to care for Sterling Silver rings.