Over time, silver jewelry tarnishes from the sulfur present in the air. Silver jewelry contains some copper, and the reaction between the copper and sulfur causes the jewelry to turn yellow, brown or even black. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be a permanent condition. Instead, you can restore your silver necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings to their original shiny appearance with the help of a couple of common household products.
Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 2 tbsp. of baking soda into a small container. Stir the baking soda and vinegar four to five times with a spoon to mix the two ingredients. You will see a bubbling reaction.
Place your silver jewelry pieces into the vinegar and baking soda solution and allow the jewelry to remain in the solution for two to three hours.
Remove the jewelry from the container and rinse it thoroughly under cool, running water to remove the vinegar and baking soda residue.
Dry the jewelry with a soft, clean cloth before storing.
Tip
Store your silver jewelry in a cool, dry, jewelry box with a lid or drawer that closes securely to prevent tarnish or discoloration.
Place anti-tarnish paper strips or tabs in your jewelry box to prevent tarnish from forming on your silver jewelry.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Texas, Cynthia Measom has been writing various parenting, business and finance and education articles since 2011. Her articles have appeared on websites such as The Bump and Motley Fool. Measom received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin.