Let me describe a scene. It's August, you've got a wedding on Saturday, and you open the drawer to find your favourite bracelet looking kind of... tired. Dull. Maybe a faint green line on your wrist after the last time you wore it.
Why this happens
Moisture in the air can react with the metal in your cuff bracelet, causing silver to tarnish and the thin gold layer on gold-plated pieces to wear away faster in damp conditions. Sweat contains salts, while perfume and sprays can also affect the finish. It's a combination of the weather, your skin, and the products you use.
What will definitely help
1. Drying will make your pieces last longer. Much longer. So before you tuck them away, always dry them first. It doesn't matter if you are late or have to take your bracelets with you for a trip. When in a hurry use a blow dryer. Even if you don't feel the wetness, your sweat might still be there so end with a paper towel.
2. Make this your rule “Perfume first, jewellery after” and think the same about other products like body lotions, sanitizers, oils or whatever you routinely put on.
3. Don't wear it in the shower or the pool. Water plus soap is not kind to plating. If you forget once, it's not a disaster. If it becomes a habit, you'll see it.
4. Store it properly. Keep each piece separately in a small zip bag, or a box with a soft lining. Throw a silica gel packet in with them to soak up moisture. One thing, though, don't seal a damp bracelet in an airtight bag. Dry it first, always.
5. Not in the bathroom. Bathrooms are the most humid room in the house. A drawer in a bedroom is fine.
6. Wear them. Weird but true for silver, regular wear can help slow tarnishing. Pieces that sit in the dark for months are the ones that come out dull.
7. Anti-tarnish strips or pouches are cheap and do a decent job if your storage space is damp.
What to avoid
Rubbing hard with toothpaste or rough cloths. You'll take the plating off.
Strong cleaners or dips on gold-plated pieces. Some methods are fine for solid silver but not for plating, so go gently.
Be realistic
No artificial bracelet will look brand new forever. Care slows the wear, it doesn't stop it. But a well-made piece, looked after with these habits, should keep its colour for far longer than one tossed in a drawer with your keys.
When Your Bracelet Starts Looking Different
Silver can lose its shine in a snap, especially in humid weather or after sitting in a drawer for weeks. Gold-plated jewellery can be just as tricky. Sometimes, a simple wipe is all your Style pearl bracelet needs, but if the gold colour has started wearing away, cleaning won't do much to help. The same goes for those green marks some bracelets leave on the wrist. They're usually caused by a reaction between the metal, sweat, and skin, and some people notice them more than others.
It's tempting to try whatever cleaning trick comes up first online. Toothpaste, baking soda, a rough cloth; someone will swear by each of them. The trouble is that what's suitable for solid silver may be too harsh for a gold-plated bracelet.
A little dullness isn't always a reason to give up on a favourite piece, though. Sometimes it's just tarnish or a film left behind by sweat and perfume. Other times, the finish has genuinely worn down. Knowing which one you're dealing with can save you from trying to clean a bracelet that needs repair instead.
Conclusion
Any jewellery, be it made of precious metals or not, needs care, especially in humid weather. Artificial jewellery in Pakistan is needed too. And this includes bracelets and bangles.
Zeesy bracelets come with all the shine, and now you know how to keep it. Shop across Pakistan at Zeesy.
FAQ
Which types of bracelets aren't prone to tarnishing?
The ones made of stainless steel titanium platinum or plated with gold. But tarnishing itself isn't a problem, it's just protection from rust.
Is tarnish good?
It's a reaction but it can be helpful to protect your pieces from rust. How so? By forming a layer you can clean off.
What's the most reliable material for wrist jewelry?
Titanium and stainless steel shine the longest and are hard too so they don't get roughed up fast. For bracelets for men leather is also a great manly option.
Does Zessy have pieces for both men and women?
Although our collection has more options for women we also carry classy options for guys into dressing up and accessorizing.
Is there a better wrist for accessories?
It totally depends on you but it's usually recommended you wear your chains and bangles on your non-dominant hand. This way, they tarnish less as they won't be exposed as much and don't get in your way too.