Silver products with blackening are popular with lovers of vintage and ethnic styles. Unusual things with bright ornaments reflect the individuality of their owner and his unique view of the world. When buying silver with blackening, it is important to remember the rules of care for this material. It cleans differently than ordinary silver. Improper care can lead to damage to the product and loss of its original appearance. Let’s figure out how to clean blackened silver correctly.

What is blackening?

To properly care for blackened silver, it is important to understand how it is made. First, indentations are made in the silver product by the method of engraving, etching or minting. Then an alloy of silver, copper and lead is introduced into the resulting relief. After heat treatment, the product acquires the same famous black ornament.

Blackening provides not only excellent decorative properties, but also additional protective qualities. Therefore, blackened jewelry requires less cleaning than a product made of ordinary silver. Due to its aesthetic and practical properties, black silver is much more expensive than ordinary silver.

Due to manufacturing techniques, blackened products should not be reheated. This can lead to damage to the decorative coating.

And is this blackening for sure

Blackened silver can be difficult to distinguish from oxidized metal. They may look similar. However, oxidation comes off faster and easier than black. Therefore, oxidized silver is cheaper than blackened silver. To buy a product with real inking, give preference to well-known brands.

How to clean blackened silver

How to store blackened silver

  • Do not keep products in places with high humidity, this will quickly lead to darkening of the metal.
  • Avoid contact of silver with cosmetics: creams, tonics, lotions, ointments.
  • Store jewelry in bags made of soft fabric, preferably separately from each other. As a last resort, bags or parchment paper will do.
  • Do not expose the products to sudden changes in temperature, do not wear jewelry in hot weather.
  • Avoid dropping products and other mechanical impacts on them.

Methods of cleaning

  • Wipes for cleaning and polishing

If you have a lot of silver products, we recommend purchasing special napkins for the care of this metal. They will quickly remove a small plaque. As a rule, you can buy napkins at any jewelry store that sells silver.

  • Soap solution

If a cosmetic cream or other unwanted substance gets on the product, it is better to wash it off immediately. This can be done in a warm soapy solution (not hot!). After washing, rinse the product with plain water, and then immediately wipe with a soft flannel cloth or microfiber cloth.

  • Dishwashing liquid

Ordinary gel is suitable for washing silverware and jewelry. Do not forget to carefully wipe the products with a dry, soft cloth. Never leave them to dry on their own.

  • Baking soda

Silver lovers know that nothing cleans silver as quickly as baking soda. Use cotton swabs to clean the product. Avoid areas with blackening. Be careful if the product contains gold. Any abrasive is harmful to such a coating. Never rub a blackened pattern with baking soda if you don’t want to say goodbye to it.

How to clean blackened silver

  • Special means

To remove the dark coating, you can use silver cleaning products. You can buy them in jewelry stores. Gently treat the areas without blackening with cotton swabs. But in no case do not soak products in them. Silver cleaners usually contain acids that can damage the silver.

  • Jewelry workshop

If the products are complex in shape, and you are afraid of touching the ink during cleaning, then it is better to entrust this process to professionals. Give the jewelry to a good workshop, where they will be cleaned with quality and care.

How not to clean blackened silver

  • Never boil blackened silver in water, and never heat it. Black does not like high temperature.
  • In no case do not wipe it with hard sponges and rags. This cover loves soft handling!
  • Never wash silverware in the dishwasher. Only manually.
  • Do not clean blackened silver with aggressive detergents. To remove simple dirt, ordinary soap or a soft gel for washing dishes is suitable.

How to clean blackened silver