Rust vs Tarnish
Rust is a chemical reaction caused by moisture. Iron and iron based metals like steel are susceptible to get rust over time. However, tarnish is a different process altogether. It is the formation of a hard dull layer over jewelry’s surface making it appear ugly. Tarnish can only happen on copper, sterling silver or low purity gold jewelry.
In this article, we’ll uncover a comparison of rust vs tarnish and how can you save your jewelry from both of it.
Rust vs Tarnish
Rust is a natural process which weakens the internal strength of a metal. In this process, metal loses its strength and becomes fragile. Apart, it is very hard to be removed. Main reasons for rusting is the combination of humidity and oxygen. There are many commercially available rust removing chemicals. Although they can remove rust from your jewelry but its inner strength will never be the same as before.
Tarnish is a different process than rust. In this process, metal reacts with atmospheric moisture and gases to form a thick dull layer over its surface. The color of the layer will depend on the metal. For example, copper will have green color and sterling silver will have black. This layer is not that much hard and your metal can look like a brand new piece after using commercially available tarnish removing chemicals.
What Metal Jewelry can Rust
Only jewelry made of iron or metal made of iron like steel can rust. This reaction is destructive for a metal piece and weakens the structural integrity of the jewelry item.
So, if you don’t have an iron or iron based jewelry, then there is no need to worry about. It will never rust. However, it is important to note that there is a difference between simple steel and stainless steel.
Simple steel does not have a chromium coating over it increasing the chances of getting rust. In some cases, it can be a very thin one. Stainless steel has a thick coating compared to simple steel. This protects it from any external moisture which may cause rusting. So, stainless steel never rusts but simple steel does. It is always recommended to buy only stainless steel jewelry versus any other iron based jewelry.
How Long Will it Take to Rust
If your jewelry is made of iron or contains high amounts of iron, it is going to rust pretty quickly. On an average, it can take about 1 to 2 months of regular usage to develop significant rust.
What Metal Jewelry can Tarnish
Only 3 types of jewelry can tarnish.
- Copper or copper based metals like brass or bronze
- Sterling silver
- Low purity gold jewelry like 9k or 10k
If you have jewelry made of any other metal than this, it will not tarnish.
Can Gold Plated Jewelry Tarnish
Yes, gold plated jewelry can tarnish. And it does tarnish because the base of most gold plated jewelry is made of copper or silver. Wearing off of this layer exposes the base metal to atmosphere which can tarnish them in some time.
If base of the gold plated is made of stainless steel or any other metal from mentioned above, it will not tarnish.
How Long Will it Take to Tarnish
It depends on the metal and how long the exposure is. For example, copper tarnishes faster than silver or low purity gold. If you are a regular wearer of your jewelry, copper or copper containing alloy jewelry i.e. brass or bronze can tarnish within a month. Silver jewelry can take about 6 months and low purity gold 8 to 9 months.
This time will increase if you don’t wear your jewelry too much and avoid exposure to water or moisture.
What is Patina?
Patina is tarnish formation over copper or copper containing alloys like brass, bronze etc. Patina can be natural or artificially caused.
Sometimes it might cause beautiful patterns and designs on jewelry surface making it appear unique. This is the main reason why people love patina jewelry.
Patina vs Rust
As described, patina can be beautiful and easy to form. It is a type of tarnish and does not harm or weaken the internal strength of your metal.
However, rust makes jewelry surface rough and decreases the strength of a metal.
How to Save your Jewelry from it?
When it comes to either rusting or tarnishing, you can not avoid this effect altogether. However, there are many ways by which you can delay this procedure.
1. Avoid Contact with Water
Water is the main cause of both rusting and tarnishing. You can minimize the impact of both of these by avoiding contact between water and your jewelry. Common incidents where jewelry comes in contact with water are showering, washing hands, doing laundry and household cleaning.
It is always recommended to remove jewelry before doing such tasks.
2. Store your Jewelry Properly
Storing your jewelry in a proper way can increase its life. Always store your jewelry in an air tight jewelry box when not in use. These jewelry boxes contain multiple compartments for the fact that jewelry does not get in touch with an other to avoid scratches.
3. Clean your Jewelry Regularly
Cleaning is another important part that can reduce the impact of tarnishing or rusting. What regular cleaning does is that it removes any rust or tarnish as soon as it starts to develop. This way, your jewelry will remain in good condition.
4. Use Protective Coatings or Sealants
Certain protective coatings or sealants are available in the market which can save your jewelry from water or moisture. Common names of these coatings are “tarnishing coating sealants” or “jewelry water repellents“. These chemicals can be used to avoid tarnishing but might not be as effective for rusting. Always read reviews and search for what you exactly need before buying.
All you have to do is to use these sealants as it is written on their packaging. This is obviously not a permanent solution but can help in decreasing the damage.
Conclusion
Rust and tarnish are two different things. They both can cause harm to your jewelry and cause them to appear ugly. However, rust is a serious issue that can damage your jewelry’s strength. Tarnish is not that much of a problem. There are many commercial rust and tarnish removing chemicals which you can use to remove these. It is important to note that all of these chemicals must be jewelry friendly.