QuestionQUESTION: I have two questions regarding the care of silver jewelry.
First, I purchased a necklace in Ireland that I was told was sterling silver. I've had it for a few years and decided to clean it. According to their own website, they suggested a standard sterling silver jewelry cleaner which I purchased from a local retainer (nothing fancy). After cleaning my necklace, although shiny, it has taken on a yellow goldish appearance. I'm guessing that there is no way to reclaim my necklace's silver color...? Also, why would it do that? Was it not truly silver? Was it plated? I believe that the chain at least is marked with .925 but it too is yellowish.
Secondly, I have other sterling silver jewelry that is "antiqued". (it has a black color to accent the indentions). I was told not to use a cleaner on those b/c it would remove that black "highlight". How can I clean that "antiqued" silver jewelry? Would a silver polishing cloth take away that black as well?
ANSWER: Hi, Rebecca.
Over time and exposure to particular elements, sterling silver will develop a tarnish. The very beginning color of tarnish is light yellowish and severe tarnish is quite dark to the point of being black. The antique coloration on new silver is a duplication of natural tarnish generally applied by chemical means or with a paint material.
The yellowish tint is possibly from exposure or from too strong a cleaner. I do not recommend the "silver dip" used to remove tarnish for this very reason and because if the silver is in the solution too long, the surface may become a dull grayish white which looks bad and is difficult to remove without professional buffing. If the tarnish has developed over time since cleaning, your silver has been exposed to something in air or from touch to bring on the tarnish. Was it tarnished when first cleaned? Is that shy you cleaned it? Has anything changed in how or where you keep the jewelry when not being worn?
If stamped "sterling" or 925 I suspect the necklace is indeed sterling. Try cleaning again using a special jewelry cloth and see if the silver color returns. If not, then a local jeweler may test the chain to see for certain if it is silver. To remove the yellow tint, you need a chemically treated jewelry cloth such as the "Sunshine" cloth sold by Rio Grande and shown on their website catalog. www.riogrande.com This sort of cloth is used "as is" to gently rub the metal. Very little effort is needed to remove tarnish and a thin tarnish preventive is applied in the process. Some jeweler will have this sort of cloth as will some better crafts stores. If not in stock, they can order for you. Other brands of similar cleaning cloths do the same thing as the "Sunshine" cloth.
You may also try gently rubbing the necklace with moist baking soda. Use your fingers to gently rub necklace with soda moistened just enough to make a thick paste. A last resort is to have a jeweler professionally clean the necklace.
Sterling will tarnish when exposed to fire smoke, items containing sulfur such as rubber bands or brown paper and environmental contaminants. After cleaning, storage is best in a simple plastic zip type baggie. Take out and wear, wipe off and put away for tarnish protection.
Tarnish will affect any sterling surface which is not rhodium plated. The natural color of silver is more attractive than a rhodium surface but does require polishing once in a while.
The item with the antiqued surface must be cleaned only on areas where there is no antique finish. Generally the dark color is in recesses for accent. To clean, use a cloth designed to remove tarnish(a cloth as mentioned previously with no additives needed and no red rouge in the cloth). The trick is to rub only the highlights and not allow the cloth to touch the darkened areas. Since the cloths do have some nap, too much pressure may force the cloth into the darkened area and you need to avoid that happening. If need be, wrap a section of the cloth on a flat stick, like a "popsicle" stick to provide a flatter polishing surface. Rub gently and rinse. Pat dry without rubbing. If the antique color is removed or lost over time, a jeweler can re-do the antiquing. Some form of antique color are quite durable and others are not. The paint sort are prone to damage more than a natural or chemically induced "natural" antique tarnish.
Rebecca, best Wishes with your Irish sterling. God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
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QUESTION: Thank you for your information. The first necklace mentioned from Ireland was getting dull which is why I decided to clean it. It wasn't really "tarnish" just dull. I did use a dip to clean it but I did it quickly so as not to leave it in too long. It was yellow-ish when it came out of the dip. It didn't re-tarnish or anything. Would the jewelry cloth mentioned work to restore any of the silver color? (as I said, I do not believe that the yellow color is tarnish but a result of the cleaning)
ANSWER: Hello again, Rebecca.
The cloth should restore the silver color and remove the yellow easily, with some exception. The cloth only cleans where it is applied and if the yellow is between links and hidden from this sort of cleaning, removal of the yellow will be difficult. In that case, try the baking soda and there is some chance of the paste being rubbed gently between links. If this does not work, the best solution is to have a jeweler clean the necklace.
The yellow is likely a result of chemical action in the cleaner but the yellow really should not have appeared. I have seen it happen before to sterling items. Actually, if the yellow will wipe off it is a first stage of tarnish, the very form the dips are supposed to remove.
The cloth mentioned will remove discoloration and restore a nice shine to the metal surface on all areas it can reach. You might want to visit some stores and ask about cleaning cloths and see if they have one you can try while there. You will then see the effectiveness of the cloth and may purchase one if it works well enough.
Again, best wishes. God Bless. Thomas.
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QUESTION: Amazing!! I thought my necklace was a goner. The baking soda did the trick! Thanks! Can I clean it that way all the time? Also can "antiqued" silver be cleaned that with baking soda or will that removed the antiqued tarnish accents? (I'm guessing I should just stick to the cloth like you previously suggested but wanted to check). Thanks again.
AnswerRebecca, I am happy you found success! I suggest the cloth for regular cleaning and the soda once in a while if it seems needed. You may clean the antiqued item this way but the secret is to avoid the darkened areas, regardless of the method of cleaning. You need to avoid rubbing the darkened areas and stick only to the highlights. Baking soda itself will not remove the antique finish by contact but if rubbed it may remove it. While moist, the soda is an extremely mild abrasive and rubbing the soda paste against the metal is when the cleaning happens.
Used too often, soda could take away some of the shine, not drastically but enough to mute a really bright shine. In normal wear, sterling looses a bright shine anyway. Still, that is why the cloth is recommended for polishing and the soda only when the cloth does not seem to do the trick. On a necklace, soda is often the best approach, followed with the cloth to restore shine.
Good! Success makes for a good day here and there. : ) God Bless and Peace to All. Thomas.
