Where theworld gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989
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What tarnishes the least? Sterling Silver or Silver Plated?
I make jewelry and notice that some of the cheap silver beads I buy never tarnish while the more expensive sterling silver I buy requires cleaning. Should I just stick to the silver plated?
Lynette Starkhobbyist - Glendale, Arizona, US
August 27, 2009
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Silver Anti-tarnish Strips A. The cheap ones are a cheap alloy while the sterling is nearly pure, thus the difference. If the cheap ones are good enough, I would go that route. If not, one of the jewelers might help with a post cleaning dip solution. I doubt if you want a clear coat paint on it. James Watts- Navarre, Florida
Argentium Silver Earrings
A. Try Argentium sterling silver -- according to producer it is very resistant to tarnish.Hope it helps and good luck! Goran Budija- Cerovski vrh Croatia |
A. Lynette,
The reason the sterling silver tarnishes faster is because of the copper content in the silver. Sterling is 92.5% silver with the balance being copper. A clean silver plating bath can plate high purity silver. Many platers today use an anti-tarnish dip after silver plate which also controls tarnishing. Good Luck!
Fellow Plater - Syracuse, NY USA
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