Does 925 Sterling Silver Tarnish In Water

This marking refers to the 92 5 percent pure silver composition.

Does 925 sterling silver tarnish in water.

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. Sterling silver will last for a long time if cared for properly whereas silver plating generally does not last longer than 20 years. While pure silver is not very reactive and does not tarnish easily the addition of copper makes sterling silver prone to tarnish. Here are the dos and don ts of exposing your silver jewelry to water.

But pure silver is also incredibly soft so it cannot be used to make jewelry utensils or serving pieces. Sterling silver jewelry can be identified by a 925 marking. Pure silver like pure gold does not rust or tarnish. To clean sterling silver that is lightly tarnished rinse the piece with warm water using your hands to wipe away dirt and debris.

Sterling silver tarnishes turns black as a result of a reaction with sulfur or sulfur compounds in the air producing silver sulfide black. 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 99 9 silver does not tarnish any sterling silver will tarnish over time as a result of the metal mixed in. 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.

But water does cause silver to oxidize darken more quickly and what type of water and the chemicals in it has an impact on how much it will cause your silver change color. Water generally does not damage sterling silver. Oxygen and moisture alone will not result in silver tarnish without the presence of sulfur compounds. Sterling silver even real 925 sterling silver will always tarnish.