Silver is a noble metal that has been used since ancient times in the manufacture of jewelry, cutlery, religious items and more. In the times of Ancient Egypt, wounds were healed by soldiers, applying the thinnest plates of this metal to them, and among the peoples of India it has been considered the main decoration from time immemorial and passed from generation to generation.
Argentum is resistant to corrosion and aggressive environmental factors, but it happens that silver blackens. In our review, we will try to find out what is the reason for this phenomenon, and how to return the metal to its original shine.
Main reasons
Even in ancient times, people associated the darkening of metal with the actions of evil forces. Then it was believed that silver takes away all external negative energy, thereby protecting its owner from it. For example, a blackened cross on the body was associated with a curse or corruption, and a darkened ring on a woman’s finger meant serious problems in heart affairs, sometimes even a crown of celibacy. And if the male ring changed its color, it was directly connected with the effect of a love spell. A silver chain that had lost its luster, as well as blackened earrings, indicated contact with a strong energy vampire, and the color change of the cutlery was attributed to the effect of the pad or the appearance of evil spirits in the house.
In ancient legends, people very often used metallic silver objects to fight the dark forces, and today many sincerely believe that this metal protects against envious people and the effects of negativity.
It is no coincidence that a silver spoon is given to babies after the eruption of the first tooth.
Believe it or not in such signs is a private matter. For those who do not like these traditions, there are other versions. Some of them explain the blackening of silver as a deterioration in the health of their owner.
It should be noted that they have some scientific justifications.
So, excessive physical exercise cause increased sweating. As a result, hydrogen sulfide is released, this substance enters into a chemical reaction with silver, which eventually leads to the oxidation of the metal. In addition, clouding of silver can cause a change in the level of acidity of the skin.
Any hormonal disruptions and disorders of the endocrine system entail an increase in perspiration, also a sharp blackening of the metal often indicates pathology of the kidneys, liver and gall bladder.
The chain around the neck of a woman changes color during pregnancy - This is also due to hormonal changes in the body. It happens that taking certain medications causes a change in the composition of the blood, and this can also be one of the possible causes of a change in the color of the metal, so jewelers are advised to remove jewelry during the illness.
Of course, in official medicine, a method for diagnosing diseases using silver does not yet exist. However, if your silver jewelry began to darken rapidly, then it does not hurt to see a doctor.
Pure silver is a fairly soft metal, therefore to increase strength, some impurities are added to it, in most cases it is copper. Compounds of platinum and gold are less common - they rarely darken. If the manufacturer went too far with the proportions, then the alloy turns out to be of low quality, respectively, it quickly blackens. First of all, silver products with a small breakdown are subjected to changes. Despite the fact that copper is weakly oxidized, when interacting with sulfur from the air, a thin layer of silver sulfide — on, forms and gives the products a black tint.
Jewelry and other silver items can darken even if they are not worn - this happens if There is little air in the storage area
In addition, silver can turn black from excess moisture and any climate change.
It is known that ions in the composition of argentum have pronounced antibacterial properties - protecting the air from viruses, they are able to change the color of the substance.
The use of shampoo, soap, cosmetics, as well as household cleaning products can lead to blackening of the metal. Many of them contain sulfur and some other oxidizing agents, which have an adverse effect on the metal. That is why it is not recommended to wear silver jewelry in a bathhouse, pool, as well as in sports and fitness, when the exercise is accompanied by the release of sweat on the skin.
Besides, argentum blackens with constant contact with clothing.
Cleaning methods
It is known that silver and copper crystals do not react with acids at room temperature. That is why the beloved by many lemon and vinegar, which manifest themselves as excellent cleansers, in the case of silver will not give the desired effect without prior heating. But the alloy responds well to alkaline compounds.
There are two main ways to clean blackened silver - in a jewelry workshop or at home. It is the second method that we will consider in more detail.
It may seem strange, but one of the best cleaners of argentum is female lipstick. It contains titanium dioxide, as well as a lot of fat - they not only effectively remove plaque from silver, but at the same time give the jewelry a beautiful shine. To clean the product, you should smear it with lipstick, then take a brush and rub the metal almost to a creak. Do not hesitate - your jewelry will brighten just before your eyes. However, keep in mind that this method is only suitable for smooth objects without inlaid with precious metals.
Surely every mistress in the house will find baking soda. It can also be used to save your favorite chain, pendant or bracelet. To clean the metal, it is necessary to boil water, add soda in it in a proportion of 50 g per liter of water, after which the silver jewelry is wrapped in foil and dipped in a boiling solution for a quarter of an hour. Then it remains only to thoroughly wash the products and dry them.
It has a very good cleaning effect. Toothpaste. This substance contains abrasive microparticles that effectively remove patina from the surface of the metal. To clean the jewelry, it is necessary to apply toothpaste to the soft-brushed brush and polish the product well, after which it should be washed in cold water and wiped with a soft microfiber cloth.
Our ancestors used silverware for cleaning egg yolk. It not only returns the color of the metal surface, but also protects it for a long time from the appearance of a new plaque. To perform cleaning, moisten a cotton pad in the yolk and carefully rub the surface of the product. Decorations processed in this way must be left, and when the yolk dries, rinse.
High performance gives ammonia, today this method is one of the most reliable for use at home. To clean silver jewelry, it is necessary to pour a little ammonia into the container and put the blackened items there for 15-20 minutes.
At the end of the allotted time, the products are washed with water and dried properly.
Recommendations
In conclusion, we will give some tips that will help protect your silver products from premature blackening.
Periodic boiling in sulfuric or hydrochloric acid allows you to repeatedly reduce the presence of copper in the surface layer of the metal. As a result, products become lighter. Any decorations and cutlery can Clean periodically with a clean Argentum.
For storage of antique items and antiques it is better to turn to varnishing, which protects them from external adverse factors. However, keep in mind that if you cover cutlery or jewelry in this way, then you should not use them, since varnish can harm your body.
Protect silver from the effects of negative elements thin wax layer - This method is called passivation. As well as varnishing, it is mainly used for storage. Any silver jewelry is best Store in a closed box, preferably on a piece of linen or cotton cloth.
After removing the product, wash it with soap in warm water and wipe it dry. From time to time, it is recommended that you wipe silver items with a soft cloth.
Nowadays, most of the silver items in jewelry stores are rhodium. It effectively protects the surface of the metal and gives it maximum wear resistance. However, if such a product is soldered, then the spraying becomes blue-black. To return to its original appearance, you have to remove the coating and apply a new one.
You can get acquainted with the methods of purifying silver in the next video.
