Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
Diamond & Jewelry News, Advice and Prices for Consumers
June 19, 2010
I don't always keep my jewelry in perfect condition, nor I put it in those nice jewelry boxes, but this is a first: My quite new jewelry necklace has had a weird smell since two weeks ago. I tried to clean it (without scratching the silver texture and without using suspicious detergents) but the smell is still there, very weird and unappealing. I would probably visit a local jeweler to see what can be saved, but before I want to post my question here, perhaps there's a simple solution which I have been missing?
June 24, 2010
Just like any other metal out there (precious or not), the presence of oxygen in the air that we breathe will cause the two to react and to oxidize. This results in tarnish which may be the reason behind the bad smell of your silver jewelry. I would suggest to thoroughly clean the tarnish that might have built up on your silver jewelry. When removing tarnish, you must make sure to wear gloves because the tarnish remover agent could be irritating to your skin. After letting it dry out, you should take note and see if there are improvements in terms of the odor. Most chances are that the naturally appearing tarnish is the cause behind the bad sulfur-like smell of your silver jewelry.
June 21, 2010
Silver jewelry is prone to corrosion as well as to tarnish when exposed to the elements for an extended period of time. However, neither tarnish nor rust emit unpleasant smells. It is entirely possible that the metal of your silver jewelry is reacting badly with your natural acids and oils released by your skin. You could get rid of the unpleasant smell of your silver jewelry by cleaning it with warm, soapy water, brushing it with a soft bristled toothbrush and toothpaste, polishing it with silver cleaning products or taking it to your local jeweler and having it professionally cleaned.
