Jewellery is one of the most cherished and personal accessories that people wear. It can express your style, personality, mood, and even your emotions. However, jewellery can also lose its shine and beauty over time due to a process called tarnishing. Tarnishing is a dull, grey, or black finish that can develop on your jewellery, making it look less attractive and valuable. But why does jewellery tarnish, and how can you prevent it? In this article, we will answer these questions and give you some tips on how to keep your jewellery sparkling for longer.
What Causes Jewellery to Tarnish?
Tarnishing is a chemical reaction that occurs when the metal in your jewellery comes into contact with certain substances in the environment, such as oxygen, sulphur, moisture, liquids, and body oils. These substances can cause the metal to oxidize, which means it loses electrons and forms a new compound on the surface of your jewellery. This compound is usually a dull-coloured oxide or sulphide that covers the original metal and gives it a tarnished appearance.
Different metals react differently to tarnishing. Some metals are more prone to tarnishing than others, depending on their composition and purity. For example, silver is one of the most susceptible metals to tarnishing because it has a high affinity for sulphur. Sulphur is found in many sources, such as air pollution, rubber, wool, eggs, onions, garlic, and even your own skin. When silver comes into contact with sulphur, it forms silver sulphide, which is a dark grey or black substance that coats the silver and makes it look tarnished.
LeCalla is coated in a special anti-tarnish polish that preserves its luster and shines for long.
