This paper will review various aspects of the chemistry of tarnish and corrosion on jewelry and how the environment, manufacturing processing and packaging can impact both the rate and severity of tarnishing and oxidation of silver as well as tarnish-resistant silver alloys and coated silver. We will present how contaminants trapped inside packaging materials can impact the jewelry being stored within them. Additionally, we will explore how atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, levels of pollution) can accelerate and/or cause tarnish or oxidation on even tarnish-resistant alloys and metals that have been protected with tarnish-resistant coating systems. The paper will present case studies as well as results from designed experiments to highlight the points being examined.

Author: Keith Donaldson