answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The black coating on silver is silver oxide, silver tarnish, the silver equivalent of rust. The moisture and salt in perspiration accelerates oxidation, although even clean silver eventually oxidizes if left alone and exposed to air. Most silver needs to be polished once in a while.

Silver polished with silver polish on a soft cloth looks better than silver dipped in a chemical bath that dissolves the tarnish (or oxidation), because the chemical bath completely removes all traces of tarnish, even in the depressions, yet does nothing to make the highlights shiny. Polishing silver with a cloth leaves bright and shiny highlights that contrast with the dark oxide in the shadows.

Wax, like car wax, can help keep a silver bowl from turning black, but there is nothing (except plating, like gold plating) that will protect silver jewelry that is in contact with the skin.

Pure silver jewelry oxidizes the most quickly. There are silver alloys, like nickel-silver, that look like silver but resist oxidation. Be careful--the tarnish from a pure silver ring can turn your finger black.

Some misguided health buffs have ingested large quantities of "colloidal silver"-- a substance which allegedly kills internal bacteria but has the unfortunate side effect of turning your skin dark blue or even blue-black. If you do a Google picture search of "colloidal silver skin" you'll be amazed!

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do silver or stainless steel earrings turn black?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why does stainless steel flatware turn black?

stainless steel do not turn black. anything black in them is removable. After cleaning they are good as new. Stainless steel, as its name implies, does not stain or oxidize. If you have a utensil that is turning black, it might very well be silver or silver plated. Silver does durn black or tarnish as it oxidizes. If you are certain the item is stainless, something is going on that is out of the ordinary.


Is stainless steel earrings more effective to cause a ear infection then gold earrings?

Are stainless steel earrings ........ - you say are because the word 'earrings' means more than one.I think stainless steel is not more likely to cause infection than gold. If both kinds are clean at the start and kept clean there should be not trouble.Some people have a reaction to cheap 'gold' earrings.


What is the difference between stainless steel and silver?

stainless and silver is defferentbecouse silver is a colour and stainless are stains


Is stainless steel good for earrings?

stainless steel is great for any piercing. It works well with sensitive ears but its so much cheaper than gold or silver. Some people still reject piercings or require gold or silver for very sensitive ears but stainless steel or titanium is fine. stainless steel is great for any piercing. It works well with sensitive ears but its so much cheaper than gold or silver. Some people still reject piercings or require gold or silver for very sensitive ears but stainless steel or titanium is fine.


Where might one purchase a pair of stainless steel earrings?

Stainless steel earrings are widely available in inexpensive jewellers such as Warren James and F Hinds. They can also be purchased at Argos or online at Amazon.


What does stainless steel look like?

The market is full of stainless steel utensils - it looks like silver


What type of product does the Zoppini company manufacture?

Zoppini manufactures stainless steel and gold products. These products can include such things as stainless steel knives or gold bracelets and earrings.


Does stainless steel flatware contain 925 silver?

No. It's just steel no silver at all. If it is silver plated it will say so, but that does not mean it contains silver. A plus A nicely made set of stainless steel flatware may not be silver, but you don't have to take it out of it's presentation box once a month to polish it.


How do you prevent silver corrosion?

by covering with stainless steel


Where to buy 316l stainless steel bvlgari jewelry-gucci rings-fashion chanel earrings?

.stainlesssteeljewelrywell.com


What are the safest earrings you can buy?

Some people have a nickel sensitivity when it comes to earrings. Therefore, I believe that nickel free or nickel safe earrings are the best and safest earrings to use. They are made from surgical stainless steel.


Do stainless steel dishwasher cost more than white or black models?

Stainless steel dishwasher are more expensive that white or black models.