Anti Tarnish Jewellery

What Causes Tarnish? Tarnish is usually caused by the metal reacting with sulfur compounds in the air, humidity, sweat, perfumes, lotions, and other chemicals. Silver is especially prone to tarnishing, but other metals can also dull.

How is Jewellery Made "Anti-Tarnish"? There are several common methods:

• Protective Coatings/Plating:

  • Rhodium Plating: Often used on sterling silver, rhodium (a platinum-group metal) provides a bright, durable, and tarnish-resistant finish.

  • E-coating (Electrocoating): A clear, protective polymer layer is applied to the jewelry, creating a barrier against tarnishing elements.

  • PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) Coating: This is a highly durable coating process, often used for gold-plated stainless steel. It creates a strong, tarnish-resistant layer.

• Specific Metal Alloys:

  • Stainless Steel: Naturally highly resistant to tarnish, rust, and corrosion, making it a popular choice for anti-tarnish jewelry, especially when gold-plated.

  • Sterling Silver Alloys with Germanium or Other Elements: Some sterling silver is blended with small amounts of other metals (like germanium, as in "Argentium silver") to make it more tarnish-resistant than traditional sterling silver.

• Gold Plating over Tarnish-Resistant Base Metals: While pure gold doesn't tarnish, gold-plated jewelry can. If the base metal (like stainless steel or brass) is resistant to tarnish, and the gold plating is of good quality (e.g., 18K gold plated over stainless steel with PVD), the piece will be more "anti-tarnish" compared to plating over a reactive base metal.

Benefits of Anti-Tarnish Jewellery:

• Low Maintenance: Requires less frequent cleaning and polishing.

• Long-Lasting Shine: Stays bright and lustrous for a longer period.

• Durability: Often more resistant to scratches and wear.

• Hypoallergenic (often): Materials like stainless steel are generally hypoallergenic, making them suitable for sensitive skin.

• Waterproof/Water-Resistant : Many anti-tarnish pieces, especially those made with stainless steel and PVD coatings, are also designed to be waterproof, meaning you can wear them while showering, swimming, or exercising without worry.