Does 925 Sterling Silver Tarnish In Water

However fortunately there are many ways to keep sterling silver from tarnishing.

Does 925 sterling silver tarnish in water.

Sterling silver tarnishes turns black as a result of a reaction with sulfur or sulfur compounds in the air producing silver sulfide black. But pure silver is also incredibly soft so it cannot be used to make jewelry utensils or serving pieces. Sterling silver even real 925 sterling silver will always tarnish. Usually the other 7 5 percent is added copper to give strength to the metal.

To clean sterling silver that is lightly tarnished rinse the piece with warm water using your hands to wipe away dirt and debris. While pure 99 9 silver does not tarnish any sterling silver will tarnish over time as a result of the metal mixed in. Instead metalworkers create an alloy combining pure silver and a small amount of copper to produce a metal that is stronger and more durable than silver on its own. Water generally does not damage sterling silver.

Oxygen and moisture alone will not result in silver tarnish without the presence of sulfur compounds. Since about the 1300s sterling silver jewelry as well as household items have been made using silver and other metals like copper for added strength in a ratio of 92 5 percent silver and 7 5 percent other metals known as 925 sterling silver. Silver plated items are made of a lesser quality metal and then covered with a thin layer of silver making them less valuable than objects made of sterling silver. While pure silver is not very reactive and does not tarnish easily the addition of copper makes sterling silver prone to tarnish.

Pure silver like pure gold does not rust or tarnish. Sterling silver will last for a long time if cared for properly whereas silver plating generally does not last longer than 20 years. Sterling silver jewelry can be identified by a 925 marking. This marking refers to the 92 5 percent pure silver composition.