The first thing to know is that the fact that silver darkens does not imply that it is of bad quality, nor that it has been damaged; it is simply something completely normal when talking about this metal.

Many of us make the mistake of thinking that silver oxidizes. Silver cannot be oxidized because it does not react with the oxygen in the air, but with the sulfur in the air in the form of hydrogen sulfide. Without going into more detail about the chemical reaction, this sulfur “tarnishes” the silver, giving it a yellowish appearance first and then, over time, black.

Other factors that can darken silver are the products we put on our skin: perfumes, make-up, creams, etc, or our own sweat. When in contact with the metal in a continuous way, it can be corrosive for it and end up darkening it.

Exposure to long periods of sun, artificial light, seawater or abrasive cleaning products can cause silver to turn black.

In addition, the pH (acidity index) of the skin may have certain characteristics that cause silver to darken rapidly. That is why some pieces may turn black for you and not for a friend of yours.

Keep your silver jewelry away from aggressive chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluids. This will reduce daily abrasions and prolong the shine of the metal

To clean silver jewelry, use a solution of hot water and a tablespoon of baking soda and wash the gold gently with a soft bristle brush (an old toothbrush works well).

Keep your silver pieces separately in soft cloth bags or original jewelry boxes to protect them from exposure to the harsh everyday elements.

For jewelry with many stones or pieces with a fancy design, which are difficult to clean with a brush, we recommend bringing your pieces to joyeria to be cleaned with ultrasound. With this a total cleaning is achieved, which will leave your jewel as new, without having to run the risk of damaging it.