Why do my jewellery findings tarnish?
Tarnishing is completely natural. As your jewellery findings getting exposed to moisture, body oils, lotions, makeup, perfumes, the metals darken or become dull over time.
Tarnishing is a non-permanent change and can be removed.
What can I use to clean the tarnished jewellery findings?
Here is the list of home-made solutions for gentle cleaning of tarnished jewellery findings made of gold, silver, faux gold, brass. Try one of them on a test piece to ensure that it works.
- Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid (like Dawn) to warm water.
- Mix three parts of baking soda with one part of water.
- Mix white vinegar, water and baking soda.
- Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate with 1.5 cups of water.
- Mix a teaspoon of salt with few drops of lemon juice and warm water.
- A drop of ketchup (no, we are not kidding).
Dip a soft cloth or a cotton bud in the solution and gently rub the findings to remove the tarnish. Rinse with water and dry with another soft cloth.
How to prevent jewelry findings from tarnishing?
- Oxygen and sulphur in the air cause tarnishing, therefore, limit the exposure of the findings to the air, by storing them in a Ziplock bag. Be sure to remove all the air before sealing the bag.
- There have been reports that a light coat of clear nail polish may stop the jewellery from tarnishing. Try it on a test piece first.
What metals don’t tarnish easily?
- Platinum
- Palladium
- Gold
- Rose Gold
- Sterling Silver
- Titanium
Will 18K gold plated jewelry findings tarnish?
Gold-plated jewellery is not solid gold but rather a silver or brass item coated with a thin layer of pure gold.
18K gold contains a higher percentage of pure gold than 10K, 12K, 14K and it will take significantly longer to discolour. The longevity of the 18K gold plated jewellery findings will depend on how thick the plating is and the habits of the person wearing it. The coating will wear faster if it is exposed to sweat or oily skin, chemicals or physical damages.
Give these care instructions for jewellery findings to your customers:
- Limit your jewellery's exposure to cosmetics, perfume, cologne, sunscreen, soap, detergent.
- Don’t wear it while working out, as sweat will cause tarnishing.
- Remove your jewellery before getting in the shower.
- Avoid storing your jewellery near UV rays, moisture, humidity, or chemicals.
- Gently wipe your jewellery with soft cloth to remove oils and sweat after every wear.
- Wash in warm water with a table spoon of dishwashing liquid once a week to keep it sparkling.