Does Zinc Jewelry Tarnish?

When it comes to jewelry making, zinc is a very popular material.

It is not that expensive, which makes it one of the favorite choices of jewelry makers and jewelry lovers.

On top of that, it is a very versatile material, giving birth to freedom in design.

There are a variety of factors to consider before you spend money on zinc jewelry, though.

You’d like to know if it tarnishes, and how to clean and maintain your jewelry pieces.

Below, you will find out these answers and more details about zinc alloy jewelry, so let’s get started!

What is zinc?

Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table.

It has a color of silver-white, and a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale.

Zinc has a density of 7.13 grams per cubic centimeter,

Types of zinc alloy jewelry

There are different versions of zinc alloys used in jewelry. Brass, Tibetan silver and German silver, aka nickel silver, are common alloys.

Brass

Brass is probably the most common type of zinc alloy jewelry. It is made from copper and zinc.

It has a gold like color. It has a very high corrosion resistance and can be polished to a high sheen.

Brass offers strength and durability. It is often used in decorative applications, such as door handles, light fixtures, and other home hardware. It is also used to produce musical instruments like trumpets or flutes.

Tibetan silver

Tibetan silver is made generally from copper, nickel, and zinc.

Tibetan Silver is named for its place of origin. The metal has been used for centuries in the production of jewelry and other decorative items. It is often used to create pieces with a antique look.

German silver

German silver is made from copper, nickel, and zinc.

German silver is a type of alloy that gets its name from the fact that it was originally used to imitate the look of sterling silver. It is often used in jewelry making, as well as in other decorative applications.

Does Zinc Alloy Jewelry Tarnish?

Sadly, zinc is not the tarnish-free material you might be dreaming of.

It happens even if your jewelry pieces contain no lead or nickel.

Just like 925 sterling silver, zinc alloy jewelry does tarnish.

However, the tarnishing process doesn’t realize directly: it will occur as time goes by.

Tarnish is a black crust that forms on the surface of zinc alloy items, and other metals. It is caused by a chemical reaction between the metal and the environment. Tarnish can be removed with a polishing cloth or jewelry cleaner.

Tarnishing is a self-limiting process on the surface. After it is formed, it prevents further formations. It does continue deep into the core and corrode the metal.

Many confuse brass jewelry with zinc alloy jewelry and think it is another element.

But, brass is not an element: it does not have place on the periodic table, naturally.

Brass is an alloy of copper and brass.

These latter two are elements, with atomic numbers of 29 and 30, respectively.

Basically, the zinc alloy has corrosion resistance.

As such, when zinc alloy jewelry is exposed in the air, it will cause a reaction with the carbon dioxide.

Consequently, it will form a protective film.

This will stop more tarnishing from occurring.

Moreover, it will make your jewelry pieces last for longer.

So even if it tarnishes, it won’t happen immediately after day 1.

However, it is important to note that the tarnishing of the zinc alloy material will be affected by the environmental conditions you expose it to.

The metal content will also influence how fast your zinc alloy tarnishes.

This is why tarnishing could either shortly or a long time after you buy it.

It may take even months before you notice something.

If you keep it in humid environments, then you will speed up the tarnishing process.

If you don’t want this to happen, you need to be cautious when storing your jewelry.

Other than that, oxidation could be the main cause of your zinc alloy jewelry tarnishing.

The other factors that join oxygen in causing tarnish, are hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide.

You should also be aware of the different effects of the corrosion processes leave on the surface of the metal.

For instance, if safe corrosion is occurring, then the metal will end up with a blue, green, brown, or black finish.

This happens if the jewelry piece has been kept clean.

What’s great is that the brown or black tarnish will not ruin your jewelry.

Since it’s tarnished, it can be removed if you clean and polish your jewelry.

Active corrosion is a little different, as it can appear on your jewelry in the form of green powder spots.

If you keep your jewelry in humid environments, it may speed up the process.

Does Zinc Alloy Jewelry Change Color?

Zinc alloy jewelry can change color, and it happens due to the oxidation process.

After being exposed to air, your zinc alloy jewelry will slowly change to either blue, green, black, or brown.

If you do jewelry care and maintenance regularly, and it still changes color, don’t worry – it’s normal.

The tarnishing process will occur no matter how much you care for your jewelry pieces.

However, oxidation is not the only thing that may cause the zinc pieces to change color.

Contact with your skin will also be a factor in the color change.

Next to your skin, the beauty products you use will be just as “guilty” for the color-changing process.

If you also expose your jewelry to water, then corrosion will quicken the color change.

It may end up in red or pink spots on your jewelry.

Does zinc alloy jewelry rust?

Rust is a type of iron oxide that forms on the surface of iron alloys, when exposed to air and moisture. It can cause serious damage to metals, including weakening them and making them susceptible to corrosion.

Although zinc alloy can tarnish over time, it will not rust. Because typically they do not have iron in their metal content.

On the surface of contact, zinc atoms will form a new molecule with oxygen called zinc oxide.

These new molecules will form a layer which will protect the inner metal for a long time.

Zinc alloy is one of the materials used in jewelry that doesn’t rust – so, you don’t have to worry about anything in this regard.

You will only have to remove tarnish now and then.

Is zinc alloy jewelry safe to wear?

Many jewelry lovers are concerned about the safety of the materials used. Rightfully, no one wants allergenic or toxic materials in their jewelry.

Zinc alloy is made of a combination of metal components, with zinc. It is often used in jewelry because it is affordable and can be cast into a variety of shapes.

One metal that deserve attention is lead. Lead is a toxic substance that is harmful to humans. It can cause health problems, such as lead poisoning, which can be fatal. Stay away from lead alloys.

Another metal that you should avoid is nickel. About 10% of the US population is affected by nickel allergy.

People with nickel allergies should avoid wearing jewelry, watches and other accessories that contain the metal. Nickel is a common skin irritant and can cause a skin reaction in people with sensitive skin. Symptoms of a nickel allergy include redness, swelling, itching and burning. In some cases, a nickel allergy can lead to an eczema-like rash.

When looking for new jewelry to add to your collection, it’s important to consider the safety of the materials used in each piece.

A safe and simple way is to check whether or not the materials are hypoallergenic.

Hypoallergenic metals is a group which are very unlikely to trigger any allergic reactions.

Although no one can guarantee zero risk, these are the best choices. The list includes precious metals gold, silver, platinum, palladium and others like titanium and rhodium.

How to Clean Zinc Alloy Jewelry?

Cleaning zinc alloy jewelry is easy because you only need things that you already have in your home.

For instance, plain white toothpaste is one of the most common things used in cleaning zinc jewelry.

You also need a soft toothbrush.

Apply some toothpaste on the jewelry and then gently rub it.

One trick you could use is allowing the toothpaste some time to lather before you apply it directly to the piece.

If you also had the jewelry piece discolored for a long time, then you may have to spend more time brushing it.

Once you remove everything, rinse the jewelry to remove the paste and let it dry.

Another thing that you could do is to use some nail polish remover with a cotton bud, in case there are black spots or black finish on your jewelry.

Due to the properties of the nail polish remover, the stain will get dissolved.

In case the black stain or finish is already widespread, you should maybe dip the entire piece in nail polish remover, as the acetone will allow the stain to go away.

Let it sit for some time, and then remove the stains with a soft brush.

You should make sure to take care of your jewelry often.

You can do so by wiping the dust and not expose the pieces to water.

When you’re done, polish the jewelry.

Can Zinc Alloy Jewelry Turn Your Skin Green?

Yes, zinc alloy jewelry will turn your skin green, but it also depends on how long you are wearing the piece.

When your skin becomes green as a result of wearing zinc alloy jewelry, it is usually because of the copper in the composition.

This is normal when copper comes in contact with the skin, so don’t worry too much about it.

Your skin will go back to usual after you stop wearing the piece, and it will not be harmful to your health either.

Even so, although the zinc alloy will turn your skin green, it will not happen immediately.

Basically, when zinc is exposed to carbon dioxide in the air, a protective film will be created, one that prevents any other reaction from the metal to occur.

So, if you get a high-quality zinc alloy jewelry piece and this happens, it will take slower for it to turn your skin green.

This is great if you want something that stays in good condition for a longer time.

The Bottom Line

If you want to buy zinc jewelry pieces yet don’t know too much about this material; we hope our article helped you.

It’s essential to know whether the material can tarnish or rust or turn your skin green over time.

Make sure that you purchase high-quality zinc jewelry that doesn’t lose their polish too quickly.

More importantly, you should always maintain your piece of jewelry and show adequate care according the nature of jewelry metals.

As you can see, even a little help from toothpaste can make your jewelry shine again.

Use these tips to your advantage and ensure that your beloved jewelry pieces will look good for a long, long time.