If you're a jewelry lover, you've probably noticed that some pieces change color over time, becoming darker or even blackish. You may have wondered if this means the jewelry is not authentic or if you've done something wrong in its care.

Well, oxidation is a natural phenomenon that occurs in many precious metals, and fortunately, there are solutions to prevent it or even remove it.

In this article, I will explain why oxidation occurs, how to protect your jewelry, and what methods you can use to keep it always shiny.

What is jewelry oxidation and why does it happen?

Jewelry oxidation is a natural chemical process by which metals interact with oxygen, moisture, and other environmental factors, leading to the formation of a layer of patina on their surface.

If you've noticed that a silver ring has become darker or that a white gold bracelet no longer has the same shine, you're most likely dealing with oxidation. This process is perfectly normal and occurs even in the highest quality precious metals.

Precious metals and their oxidation behavior

• Silver – It is the most prone to oxidation. It darkens due to reaction with sulfur in the air, forming silver sulfide.

• Gold – Pure gold (24K) does not oxidize, but gold alloys (14K, 18K) contain silver, copper, or other metals that can react with oxygen and slightly change color.

• Platinum – It oxidizes much more slowly than gold and silver, but can develop a subtle patina over time.

• Plated metals – Gold or silver plated jewelry can oxidize more quickly if the plating layer wears away, exposing the metal underneath to air and moisture.

Now that you have a clear idea of ​​what oxidation is, let's see what the main causes are that accelerate it and how you can take care of your favorite jewelry so that you can enjoy it for as long as possible.

What are the factors that accelerate the oxidation of jewelry?

Oxidation does not occur suddenly, but is a gradual process, influenced by several environmental factors. Here are the most important factors that can make your jewelry tarnish faster:

• Exposure to air and moisture

No matter how much we try to protect our jewelry, it is always in contact with air and moisture. Silver, in particular, reacts with oxygen and sulfur compounds in the air, which leads to the formation of a patina film. If you live in a city with high pollution or near the sea, where the air contains more salt, oxidation can occur even faster.

How can you reduce this effect?

• Store jewelry in an airtight box or in a bag made of anti-oxidation fabric.

• Avoid leaving jewelry on open shelves or in bathrooms, where humidity is high.

• Contact with chemicals

Perfumes, lotions, hairsprays, and even soaps can affect precious metals. Chemicals in cosmetics can react with the surface of jewelry and accelerate its oxidation.

How do you prevent damage caused by cosmetics?

• Apply care products before putting on jewelry.

• Let your skin dry completely before putting on your earrings or rings.

• Avoid wearing jewelry during bubble baths or when using harsh cleaning products.

• Sweating and skin pH

Have you ever noticed that some jewelry tarnishes faster than others, even if it's made of the same material? This is due to the pH of your skin.

Some people have a more acidic pH, which can accelerate the oxidation of metals, especially silver and gold alloys. If your jewelry sometimes leaves greenish or black marks on your skin, it doesn't mean it's not authentic, it's just that your skin interacts differently with the metal.

How can you prevent oxidation caused by sweat?

• Avoid wearing jewelry at the gym or on very hot days, when sweating is more abundant.

• Wipe your jewelry with a soft cloth after each wear to remove traces of sweat.

• Pollution and sulfur compounds in the air

In urban or industrial environments, the air contains sulfur particles that can accelerate oxidation. If you live in a big city or in an area with chemical industries, your jewelry may tarnish more quickly.

Solution:

• Use silica gel sachets (the ones that come in shoe boxes) to absorb moisture from your jewelry box.

• Clean your jewelry periodically to prevent it from oxidizing.

Myths about jewelry oxidation: true or not?

Jewelry tarnishing is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions. We've heard questions like, "If my ring has turned black, does that mean it's not silver?" or "Gold never tarnishes, right?" Well, let's debunk these myths and understand the truth behind them.

Myth #1: Oxidation indicates poor metal quality

🡆 Truth: No! Oxidation is a natural process and affects even the highest quality metals.

✅ Explanation:

925 silver (which contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper) oxidizes due to reaction with sulfur in the air, regardless of how pure the metal is.

Pure gold (24K) does not oxidize, but gold alloys (14K, 18K) contain additional metals (such as silver or copper) that can react with oxygen and chemicals.

⚡ So, if your jewelry oxidizes, it doesn't mean it's not authentic, it's just that it's undergoing a natural process that can be managed.

Myth #2: Gold never oxidizes

🡆 Truth: Partially true. Pure gold (24K) is resistant to oxidation, but most jewelry is made from alloys that can oxidize.

✅ Explanation:

24K gold is very soft and is not commonly used in jewelry because it scratches easily.

18K and 14K gold contains other metals (silver, copper, palladium) that give it durability, but also the possibility of oxidizing over time.

White gold can oxidize and lose its shine due to the nickel or palladium alloy used to give it its light color.

⚡ If you have white gold jewelry and notice that it has changed color, re-plating may be necessary to restore its original shine.

Myth #3: Silver jewelry that turns black is not genuine silver

🡆 Truth: On the contrary, genuine silver is prone to oxidation!

✅ Explanation:

Genuine silver oxidizes when it interacts with sulfur compounds in the air, forming a layer of blackish patina.

Rhodium-plated silver jewelry is more resistant to oxidation, but the plating can wear off over time.

⚡ If a silver piece of jewelry never oxidizes, it may be plated or contain a high percentage of other metals.

Myth #4: If a piece of jewelry leaves black or green marks on your skin, it means it's not authentic

🡆 Truth: Not always! Most of the time, marks on the skin are the result of a chemical reaction between sweat, the pH of the skin, and the metals in the jewelry.

✅ Explanation:

The copper in the composition of jewelry can leave green marks on the skin.

Acidic sweat can interact with silver or gold alloys, leading to the formation of black marks.

Creams and lotions can react with the metal and intensify this phenomenon.

⚡ If your jewelry leaves marks on your skin, try to clean it and protect it from moisture. It's not a sign that it's not authentic!

Now that we've clarified what this process is and what causes it, let's see what you can do to prevent your jewelry from oxidizing.

4 tricks to prevent jewelry from oxidizing and keep it shiny

Although oxidation is a natural process, there are some simple tricks that can help you keep your jewelry shiny for longer.

Proper storage of jewelry

The way you store your jewelry has a huge impact on oxidation.

✅ Useful tips:

• Use ziplock bags or velvet bags to prevent contact with air.

• Add anti-tarnish strips to your jewelry box. These absorb moisture and reduce the risk of tarnishing.

• Avoid storing multiple pieces of jewelry together . If silver comes into contact with other metals, the oxidation process can be accelerated.

Avoiding contact with chemicals

🡆 Cosmetics and cleaning products are the main enemies of your jewelry!

✅ What to do:

• Apply perfumes and lotions before putting on jewelry.

• Remove your jewelry before showering, swimming, or using cleaning products .

• Avoid contact of jewelry with deodorants, nail polish or hairspray .

Regularly wearing jewelry

It seems strange, but wearing jewelry frequently can prevent oxidation!

✅ Why?

• The skin's natural oils act as a protective layer on metals.

• If you leave your jewelry unworn for a long time, oxidation can progress more quickly.

⚡ If you have silver jewelry, wear it often to prevent tarnish from accumulating!

Regular cleaning of jewelry

🡆 Don't wait for your jewelry to be completely oxidized to clean it!

✅ Recommendations:

• Clean your jewelry once a month using a soft, very fine cloth to remove traces of oxidation.

• Use special cleaning kits to prevent oxidation.

• If you notice dark spots, act immediately – the more advanced the oxidation, the harder it is to remove.

So far we've discussed prevention, but what do we do if the jewelry is already oxidized?

Let's see the most effective cleaning methods!

How do we clean oxidized jewelry?

Oxidation is a natural process, but the good news is that it can be removed with safe and effective methods. However, choosing the right method is essential because many home remedies can damage jewelry, scratching its surface or affecting its structure.

If you want a safe solution, I recommend choosing a kit specifically designed for cleaning jewelry. For example, Indira's Jewelry Cleaning Kit is an ideal choice, as it removes oxidation without damaging the metal, as can happen with aggressive home methods.

Jewelry cleaning kit – the professional and safe solution

🡆 If you want a quick and effective method to restore the shine of your jewelry, I recommend our Jewelry Cleaning Kit , as well as other similar kits you can find on the market.

These kits are specially designed to clean precious metals without damaging them and most often contain:

✅ A delicate cleaning solution – removes oxidation without affecting the structure of the jewelry.

✅ An ultra-fine cloth - perfect for wiping jewelry without the risk of scratches and a brush for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

✅ Clear instructions for correct and effective use.

Unlike home methods, these kits do not contain aggressive substances and there is no risk of scratching or damaging the jewelry.

Why do we NOT recommend home methods?

There are many "miracle solutions" circulating on the internet for cleaning oxidized jewelry, but most of them can do more harm than good.

Although they may seem effective at first glance, they can scratch the metal, damage the finish, or even affect the durability of the jewelry.

⚠️ Here are the methods you should avoid:

❌ Baking soda and aluminum foil

This method can remove oxidation, but at the same time it can scratch the surface of the jewelry, especially if the baking soda is not completely dissolved.

❌ Toothpaste

Although often recommended as a quick fix, toothpaste contains abrasive particles that can scratch silver and gold.

❌ Vinegar or lemon-based solutions

The acids in these solutions can remove oxidation, but they can be too aggressive and damage the jewelry's protective coating.

❌ Scrubbing with hard cloths or regular toothbrushes

Even a cloth that is not soft enough can leave scratches on the surface of the jewelry. A regular toothbrush can be too abrasive and damage the metal.

💡 Our recommendation? Only use cleaning kits specifically designed for jewelry, for safe and effective cleaning.

When is professional cleaning necessary?

If the oxidation is very advanced and cannot be removed at home, it is recommended to contact a professional jeweler.

👩 ‍ 🔧 When to go to a jeweler?

✅ The jewelry has engravings or fine details that are difficult to clean by hand.

✅ The oxidation is so strong that regular solutions no longer work.

✅ You have jewelry with sensitive gemstones (pearls, opals, emeralds) that require special care.

✅ You want professional cleaning with ultrasound or other safe methods.

🡆 A professional jeweler will use advanced techniques that do not affect the structure of the jewelry.

In conclusion, the safest cleaning method is with the help of specially designed products. If you want to keep your jewelry in impeccable condition, avoid home methods and use tested solutions.

Is oxidation a reversible process?

🡆 YES! Jewelry oxidation is completely reversible, and the correct cleaning methods can restore the shine of any piece.

✔️ How easy it is to clean the jewelry depends on:

• Type of metal – Silver and gold alloys oxidize faster than platinum.

• How advanced the oxidation is – If a piece of jewelry has been left for years without cleaning, it may be more difficult to remove the dark layer.

• How the jewelry was maintained – If you have cleaned it regularly, oxidation stains will be easier to remove.

📢 Important tip: Don't wait until your jewelry is completely tarnished! Regular cleaning will prevent advanced oxidation and maintain the impeccable appearance of your jewelry.

How do we keep our jewelry shining?

As you have seen in this article, oxidation is a natural phenomenon and is not a cause for concern. With a little care and regular maintenance, your jewelry will remain shiny and beautiful for a long time.

🔹 What you need to remember:
✅ Oxidation does not mean that the jewelry is of poor quality.
✅ You can prevent oxidation through proper storage and avoiding contact with chemicals.
✅ Regular cleaning is essential – and the safest way is with the help of a special kit.
✅ If the jewelry is very oxidized, a jeweler can help you restore it.

💎 Take care of your jewelry, and it will reward you with an impeccable shine!

How do you take care of your jewelry? Have you ever tried a special cleaning kit?

Write to us in the comments and tell us your experience!