There are few things worse than coveting a piece of statement jewellery, buying it, wearing it, taking it off, then realising your skin has been stained green. And worse, overtime, the piece no longer glistens like it used to. It's dull, lack lustre and pales in comparison of what it once was.
Tarnish resistant jewellery prioritises using material and unique formulation processes to slow down or even stop this oxidation process.
WHAT IS TARNISHING?
Tarnishing is a natural process that occurs when certain metals, like silver or even copper, come into contact with oxygen or moisture (like sweat, perfume and water!). Over time, this can cause a dull appearance, dark looking discolouration on the jewellery piece, or even on skin. It's worth noting that pure 100% gold will not oxidise, but ofcourse, this is very expensive to purchase.
Tarnish-resistant jewellery keeps its shine and lustre longer, thanks to innovative materials that protect against the effects of air and moisture. In this blog post, we will explore what tarnish-resistant jewellery is, how it works, and its benefits.
WHAT METALS ARE TARNISH RESISTANT?
Look for stainless steel, titanium or alloys that are a combination of rhodium or platinum. These are highly resistant materials and can handle exposure to far more air and moisture before you can see the visible impacts of this.
Once the jewelry is made, it's polished to make it shiny and smooth, which is important to prevent it from getting damaged or tarnished. After polishing, a protective layer is added. The most common protective layer is plating, where a thin layer of metal like gold or silver is applied to the jewellery. This makes the jewellery look nice and last longer.
WHAT ARE THE PERKS OF TARNISH RESISTANT JEWELLERY?
Tarnish resistant jewellery is:
- Easy to maintain and requires much less polishing to maintain its shine.
- It's mostly hypoallergenic as it's not crafted with materials that can cause allergic reactions, like nickel. It's a good option for those with sensitive skin.