Where theworld gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989
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When Did Silver First Start Tarnishing?
My father, a life-long coin collector, used to say that silver didn't first start tarnishing until the 13th century when the burning of coal finally reached a point where there was enough sulfur in the air to start reacting with the silver. Just recently, I've tried to verify that theory with no results, one way of another. Any ideas?
Keith LavenderInterested Observer - Helena, Montana, USA
March 22, 2010
First of two simultaneous responses --
Hard to believe. sulfur dioxide not only comes from human produced pollutants (coal and oil burning) but from volcano eruptions as well.
Guillermo MarrufoMonterrey, NL, Mexico
March 22, 2010
Second of two simultaneous responses --
It is probably accurate to say that it used to tarnish slower before industrial sources started emitting sulfides, but there are still natural sources that would lead to tarnishing.
Jon Barrows, MSF, EHSSC
GOAD Company
Independence, Missouri
March 22, 2010
In the bible, Jeremiah records the need to polish helmets, swords and armour. Wonder if it was silver?
Geoff Crowley
Crithwood Ltd.
Westfield, Scotland, UK
March 25, 2010
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