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#WomenWorldwide : Succeeding despite all the NO’s with Tarnish-Me-Not

Today’s interviewees started out running a popular jewelry boutique when they realised a dreadful leniency in trade regulations and how this impacted not only the quality of their products bu…

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What is .925 Sterling Silver made of?

Let’s take a quick look at one of your Sterling Silver pieces. You may notice a tiny, engraved mark that reads ‘.925’. Now, this may not be your first time noticing this mark; but have you ever wondered what it means? Well, this stamp indicates the 92.5% of Sterling Silver that is made up of Pure Silver. Pretty straight forward; right? As for the other 7.5%, the answer is not so black and white. Now, one burning question remains unanswered - What exactly is Sterling Silver made of?

Okay, that was a lie; there are several burning questions. For example, what is up with this 7.5% of ‘miscellaneous metal’? Is your Pure Silver mixed with just ONE other metal? Or is this mysterious portion comprised of much more? Most importantly, is all Sterling Silver jewelry made the same?

Let’s begin our ‘Sterling Silver Investigation’ by looking at the variation in prices. This is always an interesting topic because there are so many different answers! First, think about the cheapest price you have paid for a piece of Sterling Silver jewelry. Now, think about the most expensive Sterling Silver piece you have seen. Big difference? We thought so, too!

So, does the price give us any insight as to what kind of metals are used in that 7.5%? Or, does the price of Sterling Silver simply reflect the jewelry brand we are purchasing? So many questions! But don’t worry, we have compiled years of research and experience to find what goes into the making of Sterling Silver. Here’s what we discovered:

The most common misconception of Sterling Silver is that it is a precious metal, solely made up of Pure Silver. That is only 92.5% true! Sterling Silver is considered an ‘alloy’, meaning it is the combination of two or more metallic elements. Pure Silver is far too malleable and soft to create jewelry on its own; therefore, it is paired with various base metals – resulting in Sterling Silver. This is where that 7.5% comes in! So, what are these mystery base metals?

Nickel (Ni)

Copper (Cu)

Zinc (Zn)

These three base metals are the most notorious within the jewelry industry; especially in the making of Sterling Silver. Each metal provides its own unique benefits, and flaws, to Sterling Silver jewelry.

If you come across Sterling Silver that is noticeably shinier than others, chances are, the 7.5% is made up of Nickel! Nickel is used in Sterling Silver to create a bright and lustrous finish. But - do you know what else makes Nickel notorious in the jewelry world? It causes mild to severe skin allergies, affecting over 60 million Americans. You may be wondering, how can a dangerous metal like Nickel end up in my Sterling Silver? It’s easier than you think. In fact, manufacturers in the U.S. can label your jewelry “Nickel-Free”, even if it contains up to 5% of Nickel. Unfortunately, even the slightest trace of this metal is enough to cause a reaction. This explains why so many of us get irritated or discolored skin from Sterling Silver jewelry!

Copper is the most commonly used metal in the making of Sterling Silver. Copper provides the durability that Pure Silver needs, while maintaining its natural color. What could possibly go wrong with Copper? Well – it is highly susceptible to tarnishing and causing skin discoloration. Sterling Silver pieces that contain Copper often demonstrate these issues through simple exposure to oxygen. Question: Have you ever worn a Sterling Silver ring and noticed your skin turning green underneath it? This either concludes that you are secretly ‘The Incredible Hulk’ - OR - that your ring is comprised of a base metal, such as Copper.

Ranking as both inexpensive, and relatively safe, Zinc is another typical metal choice for use in Sterling Silver. However, every metal has its dark side. Contrary to general belief, Zinc is NOT tarnish-resistant. While that is a common misconception, Zinc does experience tarnish due to contact with everyday factors; such as moisture, humidity, cosmetic products – you name it! Zinc even has the tendency to stain your skin with tarnish, just like Copper and Nickel.

The world of Sterling Silver can be an enigmatic place. With the array of price points, designs and brands of Sterling Silver out there, it was most interesting to learn what they all have in common. Now that we’ve clarified that mysterious 7.5%, what really is the difference between your most expensive Sterling Silver piece, and your cheapest? You guessed it - it is the brand name/designer.

As veterans of the jewelry industry, I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to admit that you may never know every trace of metal that you are wearing. More so, that all Sterling Silver, high and low-end, will face tarnishing and/or cause skin allergies one day. Be sure to preserve your Sterling Silver jewelry from tarnish/discoloration with Tarnish-Me-Not’s patented protection. Our hypoallergenic formula simultaneously protects your skin from irritation, discoloration, redness and rashes.

No more rapid tarnishing.

No more skin discoloration.

No more allergic reactions.

JUST SPRAY. WEAR & TARNISH-ME-NOT.

Get Free Shipping on your order through  amazon or pick up a bottle of Tarnish-Me-Not at any of our local retailers

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We hope you enjoyed our post and that we answered all your Sterling Silver questions! Please provide any feedback or additional questions below!

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How to Prevent Your Jewelry from Tarnishing - 3 Easy Steps

What you’ll need:

Jewelry [Preferably new or unused]

Tarnish-Me-Not 1.5 oz [42.5 g]

Flat surface to lay jewelry [You may also use a preferred suspension method; such as a wire or hooks holding up each end]

Jewelry cloth wipe [Optional]

Step 1: Preparation

Gently wipe down your jewelry to remove any dust or prints on the surface

Lay your jewelry completely flat and as evenly as possible

When coating your jewelry with a protective sealant, it is imperative that you wipe off any dust or finger print marks before applying the coating. This ensures that you are preserving the luster of your jewelry without trapping any particles beneath the surface. If you are not happy with the overall finish of your jewelry after the coating has dried, simply wipe it off with acetone and redo the following steps.

Step 2: Spray

Do not shake

Hold can upright 5-6" from jewelry

Spray in a continuous and even motion until item is coated thoroughly

Allow up to 15 minutes for dry-to-touch and an additional 15 minutes to handle

Turn item over to spray any remaining surface areas

Repeat as needed until coated thoroughly - two coats maximum

The unique composition of this formula and spray nozzle perform best when contents in the can are still, as apposed to shaken up. For best results, spray item in a room temperature, and non-humid environment.

Step 3: Wear

Once you have completely sealed your jewelry, and allowed optimal dry time, you may begin wearing it right away!

Our hypoallergenic formula creates a clear barrier on all types of jewelry for long lasting, flawless protection against tarnish, skin discolorations and allergic reactions to metals.

No more rapid tarnishing.

No more skin discoloration.

No more allergic reactions.

JUST SPRAY. WEAR & TARNISH-ME-NOT.

Get Free Shipping on your order through amazon 

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Comment any questions or thoughts!

disclaimer: This unique formula contains properties that may remove nail polish. We recommend limiting its contact with your nails until the formula has fully dried. Gloves may be used if necessary.

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Prevent your jewelry from tarnishing with a coating of Tarnish-Me-Not ⛓ This patented formula will preserve your jewelry while protecting your skin from direct contact with the metals. If jewelry has ever irritated or turned your skin green, this is for YOU! 💍

For each unit sold, Tarnish-Me-Not donates $1.00 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to help fight for a cure, ALL YEAR LONG. 💞

TARNISH-ME-NOT | SHOP

Shop Tarnish-Me-Not | Jewelry Spray | USA | Preserve Your Jewelry - Protect Your Skin. How to prevent nickel allergy

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Diamond in the rough 💍💎⛓

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Tarnish-Me-Not in San Francisco’s Azil Boutique

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A charmed life 🗝 coated to perfection (FUN FACT: This necklace was purchased 4+ years ago from a quite popular “fast fashion” store. It would have normally turned black and smelled like wet coins by now.) Fashion sustainability is a conversation we need to be having in every industry; not just clothing 💍🗜⛓ How does the necklace look after all these years?

TARNISH-ME-NOT | SHOP

Shop Tarnish-Me-Not | Jewelry Spray | USA | Preserve Your Jewelry - Protect Your Skin. How to prevent nickel allergy

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Tarnish-prevention | clear coating for all types of jewelry