Jewellery turning black: causes and solutions

Sometimes, a piece of jewellery worn with love loses its initial shine, tarnishes, or even takes on a greyish or greenish tint. Before assuming this is a manufacturing defect, it is essential to understand that this phenomenon is ancient, natural, and universal.

Jewellery that turns black: a question of metals and history

Ancient civilizations already observed that their silver coins would blacken over time. The Egyptians polished their ornaments with linen cloths, while the Romans immersed them in herbal infusions. This wasn't a quirk of the materials, but the very nature of noble metals like silver or copper. Jewellery turning black is therefore no surprise.

Silver, in particular, is a so-called "living" metal: it reacts to its surroundings. Unlike pure gold, it interacts with air, moisture, or other invisible substances. This is not a defect, but a natural property.

When the jewel interacts with its environment

What you see on the surface of a tarnished piece of jewelry is the result of a gradual chemical process. This is called patina when it's a desired aesthetic effect, or alteration when it's a natural effect.

For jewellery that turns black , the color change may result from:

• From slow oxidation, in the open air.

• From the presence of traces of sulfur in the atmosphere (pollution, certain natural regions).

• From acidic perspiration, specific to each individual.

• Repeated contact with everyday objects (keys, zippers, metal zippers).

• Or even a mixture of chemical phenomena linked to our diet, our skin, our environment.

Jewellery that turns black is therefore not necessarily of poor quality: it reacts to its context, and each skin interacts differently with metals.

A jewel that changes: a sign of life or a sign of wear?

Jewellery lives with the person who wears it. The tiny variations in color can reflect a form of dialogue between you and the wearer.

But when this alteration harms its aesthetics, it is time to consider lasting solutions.

The contemporary answer: favor the purchase of jewellery protected from oxidation

This is where the choice of materials and finishes, and therefore of jewellery, comes into play. To preserve the shine without compromising the authenticity of the piece, the rhodium plating technique has established itself as the designers' best ally. Una Storia offers a trendy selection of silver jewellery entirely coated in rhodium.

But beyond a simple protective layer, we integrate into each Una Storia creation:

• A rigorous selection of alloys.

• Permanent control of the quality of the finishes.

• A search for balance between raw material and final result.

At Una Storia, we believe that women's silver jewellery shouldn't just "last" thanks to rhodium plating; it should evolve harmoniously with the wearer. That's why our rhodium-plated sterling silver jewellery is designed to stand the test of time.

What you can do: Prolong the shine of silver without restrictive rituals

Rather than performing a multitude of restrictive daily tasks, rely on a women's jewellery brand designed to naturally resist deterioration. And, if necessary, give it a little occasional shine with a soft cloth.

The perfect piece of jewellery isn't one that never changes. It's one that, even over time, never becomes one of those pieces that turn black and get left at the bottom of a drawer, but continues to reflect your light.

Choosing Una Storia jewellery means choosing the guarantee of superior quality in rhodium-plated 925 thousandths silver.

Discover a wide selection of non-tarnishing rhodium-plated silver jewellery: silver Hummingbird earrings , Mexican ring for women , round pendant for women , fashionable silver bracelet , colorful fancy women's necklace .