Why does silver necklaces and acessories go black on skin, is it bad for you?

Answer 1

Sterling silver jewellery won't go black on the skin. Silver plated jewellery will. As the plating wears off the bare metal is left unprotected and it reacts with moisture and heat from the skin. You can clean your silver with toothpaste, not gel and an old toothbrush but if you have plated jewellery you'll only end up taking off more of the plate. You can clean the jewellery with a soft cloth. If any discolouration is on the skin it should wash off.
The tarnish looks awful but it won't hurt you.

If you're going to wear silver plated, try not to wear it everyday. That should help the plating last longer.

Answer 2

Silver, copper, Iron are some of the metals that react with the atmosphere air the chemical reaction gives the color. The silver reacts with nitrogen and forms a light coat of silver nitrate which again on oxydation turns black, the heat of the body works as a catalyst so the silver turns black more quickly on the body than on the shelf. The jewellers mix (lace) the silver with some other metals so that its reactivity to atmospheric air is minimised and that silver retains its shine and is slightly costly than the ordinary silver jewels.

Answer 3

The silver reacts with the humidity of your skin - and it's not a very high quality product you have there - if you don't mind me saying. BUT there's no risk to your health or skin or anything like that. You might just have a little trouble getting clean again (use liquid dish washer!)

Answer 4

Sterling Silver would not turn black, only silver plates items will do this. They react with your body heat and slowly rub off. It looks unsightly but it wont hurt you.