Most metals found in your favorite jewelry can easily be polished up with the right product. However, each metal has a couple of unique characteristics that should be taken into consideration when the time comes to clean and remove tarnish. Some of the most popular metals on the market today are Sterling Silver, Gold, and Tungsten. Here are some tips for polishing these metals.
Sterling Silver
When you polish silver, remember that it is a metal that often involves constantly removing tarnish. Part of the reason for tarnish is because it contains copper which reacts to moisture and sulfur in the air. Chemicals such as perfume, lotions, and high humidity can cause tarnish to appear more quickly on silver. Try to store in an airtight bag and avoid the chemicals that cause tarnish to happen quickly. Polishing silver often will help to fix the problem of tarnish as well.
Gold
You may be fortunate enough to have only 24K gold (pure) pieces, but if you are like most of us, your gold jewelry that is lower in carats is susceptible to tarnish. There are a number of things that can cause gold to tarnish such as deodorant, perspiration, and any compounds that contain acid or sulphur. When gold is stored, it can also be susceptible to tarnish so it is best to keep it in a place where minimal to no oxygen is. When you are perspiring or around chemicals that can tarnish gold, it is smart to remove it from your body.
Tungsten
Tungsten rings and jewelry are sturdy but over time can tarnish. The tarnish comes from contact with chemicals used on a daily basis such as lotions, water with chlorine, and cleaning products. When Tungsten gets tarnished, it will lose the shiny look on the surface and become dull. Polish Tungsten regularly and make sure to avoid chemicals that will cause tarnish to reappear.