Let's Talk About Tarnishing...

Does All Jewellery Tarnish? A Guide to Caring for Your Precious Keepsakes

Your breastmilk jewellery is more than just a piece of jewellery. It is a precious keepsake, designed to hold memories close and be treasured for years to come. Like all jewellery, however, the metal used in your piece can change over time.

One of the most common questions we receive is: will my jewellery tarnish?

The simple answer is that some metals are more prone to tarnishing than others and each metal reacts differently depending on your skin, products you use and the environment it is worn and stored in. Understanding how different metals behave can help you choose the right piece for you and keep your jewellery looking beautiful for as long as possible.

What is tarnishing?

Tarnishing is a natural surface reaction that occurs when certain metals come into contact with elements in the air, moisture, skincare products, perfumes and other substances.

Tarnish may appear as a darker or duller surface, or sometimes as yellow, brown or black marks. It is important to remember that tarnishing does not usually mean that your jewellery

is damaged or poor quality. In many cases, it is simply a natural characteristic of the metal.

Let's take a closer look at the metals used in our jewellery.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is a beautiful and popular choice for breastmilk jewellery. It has a bright, classic appearance and is an affordable precious metal.

However, sterling silver is naturally prone to tarnishing. Sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver, with the remaining percentage made up of other metals, usually copper. These additional metals can react with substances in the environment, causing the surface to darken over time.

Factors that can speed up tarnishing include:

• Moisture and humidity

• Perfume and hairspray

• Lotions and skincare products

• Sweat and natural body oils

• Household chemicals

• Exposure to sulphur-containing substances

The good news is that sterling silver can usually be cleaned and polished to restore its shine.

Interestingly, regularly wearing your sterling silver jewellery can sometimes help prevent tarnishing, as gentle friction against clothing and skin can keep the surface polished.

Argentium Silver

Argentium silver is a modern type of silver alloy that offers some advantages over traditional sterling silver.

It contains a higher percentage of pure silver and includes germanium, which helps improve its resistance to tarnishing.

While Argentium silver can still tarnish, it generally tarnishes more slowly than traditional sterling silver. This makes it a wonderful option for those who love the appearance of silver but want something that requires slightly less maintenance.

Argentium silver is still a precious metal and, like all jewellery, benefits from careful storage and regular cleaning.

Gold Filled Jewellery

Gold filled jewellery offers the beautiful appearance of solid gold at a more accessible price point.

Unlike gold plating, gold filled jewellery has a thick layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. This means the gold layer is significantly thicker and more durable than standard gold plating.

Gold filled jewellery is generally very resistant to tarnishing. However, this does not mean it is completely immune to changes over time.

Exposure to chemicals, perfumes, chlorine and certain skincare products can affect the surface of the jewellery. With proper care, however, gold filled pieces can remain beautiful for many years.

Gold filled jewellery is a lovely choice for breastmilk jewellery, particularly for those looking for a warm golden finish with excellent durability.

Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil is sterling silver that has been coated with a layer of gold.

Because the base metal is sterling silver, gold vermeil can require a little more care than solid gold or gold filled jewellery. Over time, the gold layer may gradually wear, particularly on areas that experience frequent friction.

Once the gold layer becomes thinner, the silver beneath may eventually become more visible.

Gold vermeil can also be affected by perfumes, lotions, water and chemicals. To help preserve the gold finish, it is best to remove your jewellery before swimming, showering or applying beauty products.

With gentle care and occasional cleaning, gold vermeil jewellery can remain a beautiful and meaningful part of your collection.

9ct Gold

For those looking for a piece with excellent longevity, 9ct gold is a wonderful choice.

Unlike plated or coated jewellery, 9ct gold is a solid gold alloy. This means the golden colour runs throughout the metal rather than sitting on the surface.

9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold, combined with other metals to create a strong and durable alloy suitable for everyday jewellery.

Although gold is highly resistant to tarnishing, 9ct gold can still experience some surface changes over time due to the other metals within the alloy. However, it is generally much more resistant to tarnishing than silver.

Solid gold is an excellent option for a breastmilk jewellery keepsake that you hope to wear regularly and treasure for generations.

How to Care for Your Breastmilk Jewellery

Regardless of which metal you choose, proper care will help keep your jewellery looking its best.

We recommend:

• Removing your jewellery before swimming, showering or bathing.

• Avoiding direct contact with perfumes, lotions and hairspray.

• Taking jewellery off before exercising or doing household cleaning.

• Storing your piece in a dry, airtight jewellery box or pouch when not being worn.

• Gently cleaning the metal using appropriate jewellery cleaning products.

• Avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning materials.

As each piece of breastmilk jewellery is individually created as a precious keepsake, treating it with a little extra care will help you enjoy it for many years to come.

A Natural Part of Owning Precious Jewellery

Tarnishing and surface changes are a normal part of owning jewellery, particularly pieces made from precious metals such as silver.

Choosing the right metal depends on your personal preference, lifestyle and budget. Whether you prefer the classic beauty of sterling silver, the improved tarnish resistance of Argentium silver, the warm glow of gold filled or gold vermeil jewellery, or the lasting durability of 9ct gold, every metal has its own unique qualities.

Your jewellery holds a very special memory, and with the right care, it can continue to be worn, loved and treasured for years to come.