Silver jewelry, located in the windows of jewelry stores, attract with its beauty and extraordinary brilliance.
But this mysterious metal somehow darkens when it begins to be worn on the body. What is the reason? Why does silver around my neck darken? Has silver become dark due to illness? You can try to answer these questions by contacting the school curriculum in chemistry. It is easy to remember that silver sulfide is formed as a result of the reaction of silver with sulfur. It is he who gives blackening.
The composition of the silver product
As you know, jewelry has a test, thanks to which it can be understood that, in addition to silver, other metals are present, in particular copper. The lower the sample product, the more copper in it. Copper, interacting with sulfur, which is in the sweat of a person, oxidizes, causing darkening of silver. The least oxidized products 999 samples. And most of all with 875 breakdown. If the hostess has two jewelry: a chain and a bracelet, and the chain darkens. Why does silver darken on the neck, and
not on hand? This may be due to a surge in hormones and, of course, a lot of perspiration in the neck and décolleté, where the
sweat glands are the largest
. An oxidation reaction takes place with the chain, and sweat did not stand out on the wrist where the bracelet is located. There is no darkening of the silver product.
Human Diseases and Silverware
But the person does not always sweat, and nevertheless the silver product darkens. Then why does the silver on the body darken? Perhaps the cause of the browning is related to human health. There is an opinion that the hostess of the product has health problems, namely with the kidneys and liver, if silverware has darkened. There is a reason to consult a doctor to conduct an examination of the body. And if silver is brightened? Silver brightens upon contact with nitric acid, which is formed as a result of the release of nitrogenous substances. This indicates poor kidney function. If the examination by a doctor does not confirm the disease of the body, and the mistress of the silver product does not sweat, then why does the silver darken on the body?
What else affects the darkening of silver
It is necessary again to turn to chemistry and remember that silver, in contact with sulfur, forms sulfide, but sulfur is present not only in sweat excreted by humans. Silver, in contact with hydrogen sulfide, which is part of the air, darkens. This metal tarnishes on contact with onions, salt, and an egg. Women use face and decollete creams, which include protein supplements, which is why silver on the neck darkens. The chain is in contact with the body moistened with cream. This is sufficient for the oxidation reaction. So it turns out that someone bought a silver product and wears it for years, but it is like brand new, but someone bought the product in dark after a couple of months. As it turned out, it all depends on the aggressive environment in which the person is. And it became clear why silver is getting darker on the neck and not only. Fortunately, silver can be cleaned at home, and it will shine as good as new. But that is another topic.