Silver Wire Wrappers Discoloration

SILVER WIRE WRAPPERS’ DISCOLORATION


Are you experiencing discoloration?

     We have recently had several inquiries from sterling silver and argentium wire wrappers into the discoloration of their work. Our customer wrote that she has been using our Argentium Silver for as long as we have been selling it. She crafts jewelry and when she sells it to her customers, she includes care instructions. She does not solder or heat the metal in any way. She simply uses the wire to hold the setting in place.

     Therefore, it was perplexing when she received a complaint from her customer that there had been some discoloration to her jewelry. The customer was certain she had followed the care instructions. She attempted to clean the piece with a soft polishing cloth which returned the silver to its shiny state without any dulling affects except that there was a slight coppery discoloration and it no long looked like white silver.

     G&S Metals and Refiners discussed this issue with our metallurgist. Judging by the description, the coppery surface suggested to him that there had been some form of chemical attack. This could be something as simple as a perfume or hand-cream residue which might have been left on the piece before it was placed in storage. Since hand cream contains folic acid; this is a very plausible explanation.

Washing your hands will not only keep you healthy but will keep your pieces of jewelry from discoloring.