How to clean the silver chain?

Silver is a beautiful metal, attractive, even mystical. Decorations from it are given special importance. Many believe that the silver chain transmits information about the physical and mental state of its owner, and if the silver has darkened, the person has health problems or has been jinxed him. You can doubt the relationship of the appearance of dark plaque on silver and the state of health of the owner, but the owner will have to refresh the darkened metal anyway. If the jewelry does not want to be given to the jeweler for cleaning, then you can clean the silver chain with home methods.

Based on modern scientific information, the appearance of a gray, black, greenish or rusty plaque on silver is caused by absolutely objective reasons, although some of them are related to the vital processes of the human body that regularly use this ornament.

The process of darkening of silver is a chemical oxidation reaction, which results in the formation on the metal of the thinnest sulfur sulfide film, sometimes with an admixture of copper or iron oxide, giving, respectively, greenish or yellowish hues.

Being an objective sluggish process, the oxidation of silver, however, can be accelerated by exposure to metal of some external factors, namely:

1. Constant high humidity;
2. Regular exposure to bright ultraviolet radiation;
3. Contact with chemical elements such as sulfur and hydrogen sulfide.

Since the presence of sulfur in human sweat has been scientifically proven, constantly sweating person will notice the darkening of his silver jewelry, rather than the one who is free from such a physiological deficiency. Increased sweating is common in people who suffer from colds, for the elderly, and for those who take certain types of medications. These categories have to be especially careful in monitoring the condition of their silver jewelry.

Hydrogen sulfide is present in some cosmetic products, it can be dissolved in seawater and is found in the chemical industry. therefore It is recommended to remove the chain of silver while relaxing at sea, while applying the cream or when working with chemicals. Intense solar radiation is, on the one hand, the cause of active sweating of human skin, on the other hand, it becomes a catalyst for the oxidative process.

The quality of the metal also matters. The slowest oxidation occurs on the surface of silver jewelry with 925 samples, or, as jewelers say, on the surface of sterling silver. Therefore, experts recommend this type of silver for everyday wear.

The plaque that appears on silver is sulfur sulfide, it is just a coating in the form of a film and can be removed even by home methods.That is why you can independently clean up to shine almost any silver jewelry and objects, be it rings, bracelets, a cross or silverware.

However, the approach to cleaning will vary due to the quality of the metal, since in parallel it may be necessary to remove rust or copper oxides. Also, cleaning can be complicated by the presence of coatings or inserts that need to be able to properly clean, without disturbing the originality of the decoration.

There are plenty of ways to clean silver, to decide which one to prefer, you should read the user reviews.

This method of cleaning silver is very risky. This is due to the peculiarity of the chemical reaction between hydrogen peroxide and the metal. Since the composition of the silver alloy can be completely unpredictable, it may contain components that, when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, will blacken even more.

A similar effect is repeatedly described in messages on the forums of jewelers, warning the owners of silver jewelry from such a cleaning method. The darkening may be partial or complete, but in any case the view of the chain will be hopelessly damaged. It is also mentioned that in order to “rescue” the affected product, the owner will have to contact a jeweler, since at home it will be impossible to cope with such a reaction.

Wash the silver chain in vinegar, judging by the reviews of those who have tried this method, it is quite safe. However, it must be remembered that in this case it is either a 9% solution of edible vinegar, or a wine bite, which is filtered to remove sediment. Acetic essence, or thick sediment, which may be present in wine vinegar, to clean silver is dangerous.

Vinegar perfectly copes with its task, since it contains an acid, the concentration of which is sufficient to affect the sulfur sulfide film. At the same time, it is not capable of causing damage to such a soft metal, which is silver.

In the case when the silver chain has only minor contamination, then the easiest way is to wipe it with a soft cloth moistened in a solution of vinegar and return the original shine.

To remove more severe darkening will need to apply more Cardinal method, which is designed to remove medium pollution:

1. The chain keeps within plastic ware;
2. Then poured 9% solution of food vinegar, which completely covers the chain;
3. For the impact may be enough for 20-30 minutes, and up to one to two hours; control the cleaning process has to visually;
4. Then the chain is washed under running water and polished with a soft cloth.

The following method is suitable to cope with significant darkening on the chain:

1. Table vinegar is heated to boiling;
2. Omit the chain;
3. Remove the solution from the heat and leave for 15 minutes;
4. With the help of tweezers, we take out the chain, wash it under running water and leave it to dry on a soft napkin.

Citric acid is not difficult to purchase in any of the grocery stores.

She successfully acts on the black plaque that appears on the chain. The process of its removal is a sample of a mild chemical reaction, which requires a complete flow. carefully comply with all mandatory conditions.

Method number 1, which is used for cleaning with citric acid, is simple, it Perfect for the restoration of lightly soiled silver jewelry, for example, for a grayed chain:

1. Pour half a liter of water into an enamel pan;
2. We part in water 30 gr. citric acid;
3. Bring the solution to a boil and turn it off;
4. The chain is lowered into the hot solution and left for half an hour;
5. Remove, rinse with water and wipe dry.

Method number 2 is used for significantly darkened jewelry, it is also suitable for removing rust from the chain:

1. We breed 20 gr. citric acid in 100 ml of water;
2. We put food foil on the bottom of a small enamel pan;
3. We lay out the blackened chain on the foil; we wrap the edges of the foil so that the decoration appears “in the envelope”;
4. Bring the composition to a boil, then reduce the intensity of the fire and continue to boil for 10 minutes;
5. The appearance of flakes of black or yellow color in water is an indicator of the cleaning efficiency;
6. We remove the chain with tweezers, trying not to touch the flakes floating on the surface of the water, otherwise they will again settle on the metal;
7. We wash the chain in running water, wipe it with a microfiber cloth, gently polishing it.

Method number 3 will help to cope with significant pollution:

1. Dilute 20 g of citric acid in 100 ml of water, pour the resulting composition into a container for a water bath;
2. We place a chain in the prepared solution;
3. Then we also drop a small piece of copper wire there;
4. Heat the solution in a water bath and boil for 30 minutes;
5. Carefully remove the chain from the hot solution;
6. We wash the chain under running water and let it dry, wiping it from time to time with a soft microfiber cloth.

At home, black silver chain can be washed with the help of many improvised means.

One of the most widely used methods, as Internet users write, is to remove black deposits from silver using a liquid ammonia solution, which can be purchased at each pharmacy and applied at home. according to the recipe below:

1. In 100 ml of water, dilute 1 tsp of ammonia and a small amount of dishwashing liquid or liquid soap;
2. Place the darkened silver chain into the solution and keep it until the metal is brightened;
3. We wash the chain and wipe it dry with a soft cloth.

Quite quickly and effectively, you can clean the darkened silver chain with ordinary table salt. The advantage of using this substance is that salt is always at hand with every hostess. There are a lot of ways to clean silver with salt. Among them there are very simple ones that are suitable for removing a small patina from the decoration, but there are also quite complex ones that can restore the color of even a neglected product.

Method number 1, which is recommended for cleaning slightly darkened chain:

1. On the surface of the flannel or microfiber lay out a chain;
2. Liberally pour the decoration with table salt;
3. We fold the fabric with the contents and place it on the bottom of a glass or plastic container;
4. Fill the water, completely covering the package, and leave for an hour and a half;
5. After extraction, flush the chain under running hot water, wipe and polish.

Method number 2 will help to remove from the links of the chain of pollution moderate:

1. Lay out the food foil on the bottom of the plastic container, on which we put the chain;
2. Fill the decoration with salt mixed with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in equal proportions;
3. Close the edges of the foil and fill the package with hot water;
4. The exposure time is 1 hour, after which we reach the chain;
5. Wash the jewelry under running water, wipe and polish with a soft cloth.

In addition to the above methods of removing plaque from silver jewelry, which users call reliable and proven, there are quite a lot of very unexpected ways to clean this metal on the net.

For example:

1. The way in which raw potatoes are used. 1 potato is rubbed on a fine-cellular grater, squeezed out juice, in which the chain is soaked until the desired effect is obtained;
2. The method using potato broth, in which the decoration is “boiled” for half an hour;
3. The way in which the chain is placed in food foil is placed on the bottom of the pan and poured with hot broth from the potato, leaving to act for 20 minutes;
4. The method using Coca-Cola, in which the chain is simply filled with a fresh drink and left for 1 hour in this state.

In the event that the chain has very serious pollution, or if the owner of the jewelry does not trust the household cleaning methods, he can always purchase one of professional cleansers for silver, which is offered in every jewelry store.

This tool manufacturer positions as a safe and effective composition for quick cleaning of silver jewelry. Judging by the reviews of customers, this drug copes with its task for C grade. The cost of a bottle is 100 ml from 250 rubles to 500 rubles.

A solution that has a high acid composition, and therefore is able to clean the silver chain very quickly and efficiently. It is necessary to use this composition with gloves, to lower and remove the product with tweezers. The cost of 50 ml is about 60 rubles.

This tool is reusable, it cleans the decoration literally within a minute, protects for some time from the appearance of plaque, as evidenced by customer reviews. The cost of 50 ml of funds is approximately 64 rubles.

This preparation cleans not only black, but also green scurf from the surface of silver. Many users are happy with it, but it is advised not to leave the chain in such a composition longer than half a minute. After cleaning, Leuchtturm creates an invisible protective film on the surface of the chain, thanks to which the shining appearance of the jewel is preserved for a long time. It is worth about 400 rubles for 250 ml.

Consumers rate this cleaning agent quite high, it copes with pollution in 2-3 minutes, without violating the integrity of the enamel inserts. The cost of 150 ml is about 350 rubles.

One of the most effective ways to restore blackened silver jewelry is the following:

1. The chain is placed on a piece of food foil, plentifully covered with salt and wrapped in an “envelope”;
2. Pour the soap solution prepared from 1 teaspoon of any soap rubbed on a small grater (it is best to take a laundry soap) and 200 ml of water into the pan;
3. We lay out a bundle with a chain in a soap solution;
4. We bring the solution to the boiling point, then reduce the heat and continue to boil for 15 minutes.
5. Remove the chain from the hot solution using forceps and leave it until it cools completely;
6. Wash the cooled chain under running water, wipe and polish.

Sometimes a silver chain not only darkens, but also acquires a greenish tint. This effect gives a significant presence of copper in the silver alloy.

Conventional means to cope with such a strike will not work, you have to either resort to a professional drug Leuchtturm made in Germany, either purchase a domestic remedy "Trilon B".

These compositions can be purchased in numismatic departments, as they are widely used for cleaning coins. "Trilon B" is also sold in stores of companies engaged in the maintenance of heating systems, as it is used to wash radiators.

To clear the silver from the green plaque with the help of "Trilon B", you must strictly follow the instructions:

1. Cooking in non-metallic dishes 10% solution. In order to obtain a similar concentration, mix 10 g of powder and 100 ml of warm water;
2. Soak the chain for 15 minutes;
3. For the extraction of the chain must use plastic tongs;
4. Remove the "greens" from the chain with a soft toothbrush;
5. Carefully wash the chain, then dry;
6. To give additional brightness and freshness to the decoration, we wipe it with a napkin dipped in liquid ammonia solution.

A few simple rules will help to use silver jewelry and store them in such a way so that they please the owners for many years:

• It is not necessary to dump all the jewelry in one pile, since silver is the softest of the jewelry metals, and if it is stored improperly, it deforms very quickly, the chains break. According to the reviews of master jewelers, it is with mechanical damage to silver products that the greatest number of clients appeal to them.
• It is advisable to purchase for storage of silver rings, bracelets and earrings a special box that has separate compartments. Silver chains should be stored in cases. In a pinch, you can use small plastic bags for storage.
• You should avoid storing silver jewelry in places with high humidity, as this will lead to the rapid appearance of a dark patina. Or pack each piece of jewelry in a plastic bag or food foil that will protect the silver from humidity.

• Also, silver is adversely affected by high temperatures, so you should not wear chains and silver rings in the hot summer sea or store near heating appliances.
• Silver should not be stored in places constantly lit by the sun, as this will lead to a loss of luster metal.
• It is desirable to polish silver jewelry as often as possible with a soft microfibre cloth.

It is not advisable to allow the metal to darken, requiring significant cleaning efforts. It is better to carry out preventive surface treatment with the help of mild cleansing agents.

Jewelers are advised to wear silver jewelry as often as possible, as it is noted that this metal looks better being constantly in use. With long-term storage, it becomes dull and loses its wonderful shine.

How to clean the silver chain in 5 minutes, see the next video.