Why Does My Sterling Silver Jewelry Smell Bad? A Practical Guide

Have you ever noticed a strange, almost sulfur-like smell coming from your favorite sterling silver jewelry? It's definitely not the most pleasant experience, and I was completely caught off guard when it happened to me! I love wearing my silver necklaces and rings, so when I detected that odd odor, I knew I had to figure out what was going on. Let me share what I discovered about why this happens and, more importantly, how to fix it.

My Unexpected Discovery: The Smelly Silver Mystery

I've always loved silver jewelry. There’s something classic and elegant about it. Recently, I pulled out a beautiful sterling silver necklace I hadn't worn in a while, and that's when I noticed it – a faint, unpleasant smell. It wasn't overpowering, but it was definitely there, lingering around the pendant. I was puzzled because I always thought of silver as being pretty inert. I began to wonder if it was even real silver.

Why Sterling Silver Can Smell: The Science Behind the Stink

My initial thought was that maybe the necklace wasn’t actually sterling silver. But after doing some digging, I learned that even genuine sterling silver can develop a smell. The key is understanding what sterling silver actually is. It's not pure silver; it's an alloy, meaning it's mixed with other metals, most commonly copper. While the amount of copper in .925 sterling silver (which is the standard) isn't usually enough to cause a smell on its own, it plays a role.

Here's the thing: when sterling silver is exposed to air, the copper in the alloy reacts with sulfur compounds in the environment. This reaction creates tarnish, which is essentially silver sulfide. And that tarnish? That's what causes the smell! It's like a mini science experiment happening right on your jewelry.

My Solution: Cleaning and Preventing the Smell

Once I understood the science, I was determined to get rid of the smell and prevent it from coming back. Here’s what I tried, and what worked:

Cleaning My Sterling Silver

1. Polishing Cloth: I started by gently polishing the necklace with a silver polishing cloth. This helped remove some of the surface tarnish and immediately reduced the smell.
2. Soap and Warm Water: For a deeper clean, I used a soft toothbrush, warm water, and a bit of mild soap. I made sure to scrub gently to avoid scratching the silver. I wasn't sure what kind of soap to use, but I just grabbed some gentle hand soap and it worked perfectly.
3. Drying Thoroughly: After washing, I made absolutely sure to dry the necklace completely. Any lingering moisture can accelerate the tarnishing process.

These steps significantly improved the smell! But I wanted to take it a step further.

The Buddhist Yoga Mandala Necklace from Blingcharming.

I was looking for a new pendant and stumbled upon the Buddhist Yoga Mandala Glamour Girl Famous Wind Kaleidoscope Series Time Glass Gem Necklace Round Pendant Choker Necklace from Blingcharming. I really liked the design, and it seemed like a good replacement for the old pendant. When it arrived, I noticed it had a really nice anti-tarnish coating.

Preventing Future Smells

That's when I realized, I should be taking preventative measures!

• Anti-Tarnish Coating: Some jewelry comes with an anti-tarnish coating. If yours does, make sure to clean it gently to avoid damaging the coating.
• Storage: Store your sterling silver jewelry in airtight bags or containers to minimize exposure to air. This is a game-changer!
• Regular Cleaning: Make it a habit to clean your silver jewelry regularly, even if it doesn't smell yet. This prevents tarnish from building up in the first place.

Additional Tips and Tricks I Learned

During my smelly silver adventure, I also picked up a few other helpful tips:

• Magnet Test: If you're ever unsure if your jewelry is actually sterling silver, you can try a magnet test. Silver is not magnetic, so if your jewelry sticks to a magnet, it's likely not silver.
• Beware of Fake Silver: Pure silver is odorless until it starts picking up sulfur atoms and develops a patina. That patina is what has a smell.
• Hagertys Polish: I've also heard great things about Hagertys polish for tackling stubborn tarnish. I haven't personally tried it yet, but it's on my list!

Pros and Cons of Different Cleaning Methods

Method	Pros	Cons
Polishing Cloth	Easy, quick, good for light tarnish	Doesn't remove heavy tarnish, can be abrasive
Soap and Warm Water	Gentle, effective for general cleaning	May not remove stubborn tarnish
Silver Polish (e.g., Hagertys)	Effective for heavy tarnish	Can be abrasive, requires careful application

I’ve been really happy with the items I've purchased from Blingcharming, the quality is great, and the prices are really reasonable. I’m already thinking about picking up another piece from get it here.

My Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Dealing with smelly sterling silver jewelry can be frustrating, but it's definitely a problem you can solve. By understanding why the smell occurs and taking the right cleaning and preventative measures, you can keep your silver sparkling and odor-free. I hope my experience helps you keep your jewelry in tip-top shape!

Here’s a summary of my recommendations:

• Clean your sterling silver regularly with a polishing cloth and mild soap.
• Store your jewelry in airtight containers to prevent tarnish.
• Consider using an anti-tarnish coating or polish.
• If you're unsure about the authenticity of your silver, try a magnet test.

Conclusion

So, if your sterling silver jewelry is smelling a little funky, don't despair! With a little bit of knowledge and some simple cleaning techniques, you can restore your favorite pieces to their former glory. And remember, prevention is key. By taking good care of your silver, you can avoid the smelly situation altogether. Happy cleaning!