it's my girlfriend's birthday tomorrow, and i bought her this beautiful silver pendant , but my brother was laughing about it earlier telling me that anything thats made of silver usually loses its color and rusts, is it true??
2007-05-30 09:17:35 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
whats a protective coating? and how do i know if its protected? please help?
2007-05-30 09:26:10 · update #1
The others are right, silver tarnishes. The tarnish is very easy to remove with a basic cleaner, or you can follow these instructions using baking soda.
http://educ.queensu.ca/~science/main/concept/chem/c03/C03DEEA1.htm
Silver can be protected from tarnish with a silver glaze or clear spray that can be found many stores. Ask a jeweler what they recommend using, I know from experience with a silver tea set that the clear spray worked great and you can't see it. The spray can be found at your local hardware store.
Hope this helps.
2007-05-30 09:34:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When metals are exposed to the air, they oxidize. Rust is one example of this; iron reacts oxygen, forming iron oxide, which we commonly call rust. When silver oxidizes, silver oxide forms, which makes the piece of jewelry look dirty. The tarnished piece can be cleaned, but its usually a pain to do. On some pieces, they put a sort of thin coating over the metal so it doesn't get exposed to the air, but then there's the chance that your girlfriend is allergic to the coating. In the long run, silver is a good metal but it often needs to be cleaned. Gold, however, is very unreactive, so it doesn't oxidize almost at all. This is why silver is needed to be cleaned more than gold.
2007-05-30 09:39:30 · answer #2 · answered by hawkeye3772 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True sterling should not rust, however the surface will oxidize and you get that black tarnish on it which will need cleaned off with silver polish. I always store my silver away from the air as much as possible to slow this process down, in a tight box and wrapped.
2016-05-17 06:21:12 · answer #3 · answered by benita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it does not rust ,but sulfa is very hard on it and will darken it. you can find these gas from sewersw and if u live near an oil field or volcano. When she is not wareing it keep it in a closed case with Campher Gum .Your drugest can get it for u. Silver is beautiful and if u take care of it it will stay that way for years. There is silver polish that will clean it again.
2007-05-30 11:08:01 · answer #4 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like the other poster mentions, it does not rust, it tarnishes. But, the good news is, they make cleaner to take the tarnish off. Its no big deal. A silver pendant will make a lovely gift. Your brother is just being a tard.
2007-05-30 09:26:05 · answer #5 · answered by 2007_Shelby_GT500 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rust refers to iron oxide. Silver tarnishes (silver oxide) if it doesn't have a protective coating.
2007-05-30 09:23:38 · answer #6 · answered by John S 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Real silver does not rust. it will tarnish, but that's not a big deal. if necessary, a jeweller can clean it, they dip it in solution. and if your girlfriend wears it all the time, it won't tarnish. i have a silver ring i wear all the time (for years) and it has never tarnished. your brother is mean, what does he buy his girlfriend?
2007-05-30 09:27:39 · answer #7 · answered by gracel313 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Silver does not rust but due to oxidation it looses its glitter as time passes.
2007-05-30 09:28:14 · answer #8 · answered by ping_anand 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it tarnishes but you can clean it unlike rust
tell you Girlfriend that i said happy birthday
2007-05-30 09:25:39 · answer #9 · answered by Newbie885 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋