Can Sterling Silver Get Wet?

Sterling silver can get wet. Water will not damage sterling pieces. 925 silver items will not corrode because of water or humidity. A few drops of water won’t do any harm. Having said that, you should keep your jewelry dry.

But, there is more to the story of silver and humidity:

• Can you shower with a sterling silver ring?
• Can you swim with sterling silver earrings?

You will find answers to these questions and more below!

Does sterling silver rust?

Rust results from a chemical reaction between oxygen and iron or iron alloys. It has a reddish gray-black color.

Sterling silver is not an iron alloy. Thus, it does not rust.

Sterling silver is a silver alloy with a 92.5% silver content. The remaining 7.5% part comes from cheaper metals which is often copper.

The latter portion of added metals plays a crucial role by increasing strength and durability.

As pure silver is too soft for jewelry and silverware, we have to use alloys like argentium, 850 silver or sterling silver.

The added metals enable us to use silver in jewelry and utensils.

Does sterling silver tarnish?

Unfortunately, sterling silver does tarnish.

Tarnish is a kind of black spots that form on the surface of some metals.

In our case of 925 silver, these result from the reaction between silver and sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide. This is a gas present in very low percentages in the atmosphere.

Silver may also tarnish via reaction with oxygen, but this will take a much longer time.

Tarnish takes away the luster from silver.

But, we have 2 good news: it is self-limiting, and it can be cleaned and polished.

It does self – limit as tarnish on the surface cuts contact from outside and isolates the inner parts. It will not continue towards the core and ruin the piece.

You can easily remove tarnish with commercial and DIY recipes. There are many silver polishes and silver wipes, which can bring back the shine to your jewelry and silverware. You can also choose to use simple home items like baking soda or lemon to restore the bling.

Can you wear sterling silver in the shower?

Water and humidity are not sterling’s best friends.

Although they do not directly harm your jewelry, they can increase the speed of other agents, like some sulfur compounds, interact.

And then you have shampoos and body washes which come with loads of chemical compounds.

Your silver jewelry should not have to endure this torture.

Even if you take a shower with your silver necklace, you’ll have to dry it completely.

You should never leave your silver pieces wet.

You must dry your silver chain and charm, and then leave them in a safe dry place to help them separate from the remaining moisture.

Can you wear sterling silver in a swimming pool?

Swimming pool water is not just tap water in big hole!

It has many chemical agents like chlorine, bromine, cyanuric acid, pH increaser/decreaser etc.

It also includes much unintended stuff like leaves, dust, sweat and more.

If you guessed that this can’t be a formula for shiny silver jewelry, you’re on the spot!

A swimming pool is not where you want to see your silver pieces.

Never wear your sterling silver jewelry in the pool, jacuzzi or hot tub.

Can sterling silver get sweaty?

Human sweat has a 6.3 pH level. This means it is slightly acidic.

Sweat will also include any deodorant, perfumes with different airborne particles.

These are not natural shine enhancers which play nicely with your sterling silver jewelry.

The moral of the story is, sweating high adrenaline outdoor activities and exercise are not good for your silver pieces’ health and fitness, unlike yours!

Can sterling silver turn your finger green?

Wearing a sterling silver ring can leave a blackish green color on your finger.

The origin of this is not silver, but copper in its composition.

It has a small percentage, around 7.5% in sterling’s mix.

Copper plays an indispensable role in sterling silver because it makes it hard and strong for jewelry.

Otherwise, fine silver’s softness would open the door to quick deformations and many scratches.

Thanks to copper presence, silver gets to a higher degree of durability. It becomes hard enough for jewelry.

Discoloring is not an immediate and standard consequence.

It varies from person to person.

Different people have a different tendency to sweat at varying pH levels.

The use of makeup is not the same either. There is not a set amount of deodorants, creams and perfumes people use.

These all affect the time it takes and the level of green marks forming.

How to clean sterling silver?

There are many products for removing tarnish and restoring luster.

You can choose from many silver polishes, silver wipes and silver dips given on this page.

If you don’t want to spend money, you can go for baking soda or ketchup!

Check this post on 5 Household Items Ready to Clean Your Jewelry.

Conclusion

Sterling silver has a distinct shine that we all love.

It is different from platinum, white gold, palladium or anything else.

They come close, but silver has a different mojo!

Yet, silver is not as hard as titanium. It is not as tough as stainless steel pieces.

It is fragile in its own nature. It is harder than fine silver but strong enough for intricate designs and silverware.

However, it demands more care than other jewelry.

925 silver pieces does not like to shower or swim.

The pool, the sea, the hot tub are not its favorite places.

Although a few drops of water won’t wash it away like powder, you should not let them soak wet.

Water aside, chemical agents like perfumes or chlorine in pool water are definitely not pleasing for 925 silver.

You should keep your sterling silver pieces away from humidity and chemicals.

Let them rest, while you are enjoying garden work or a day in the gym.

Don’t let them bath in sweat or clash with other objects.

Keep them dry and separate from the other jewelry pieces in your jewelry box.

And make sure they are the last thing you wear on!

Don’t forget, the better you look after your jewelry, the better they will look after you!