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If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them?This lesson is written for people with 'jewelry unfriendly' sweat glands. If you are not in this group, read on for tips on 'exploration of options beyond shiny, glaring bling'.
Jewelry 'Turning Black'... in a FlashDo you recall how we are often asked about jewelry 'turning black' in lesson 3? Lesson 3 discussed:
Some People Have a Raw DealOur understanding about jewelry issues extends beyond ourselves. Customers communicate many of their concerns and we become burdened with their circumstances and look out for ways to solve their problems. Notwithstanding the billions of people in this world, we are all totally different in so many ways, including our sweat content. Many people look at jewelry with a resigned expression. "So what if I really like this piece, I'll just have the same problem when I wear it." It may an allergy issue (that is for another lesson) or it could be the person's perspiration. These folks tarnish most of what they wear much too quickly, it seems pointless to wear jewelry at all. For those who came to us, we introduced different options and many found one solution or more. This lesson discusses those options. Let's begin with today's special - dark coloured metals
'Turned Black'... It was 'Black' to Begin With!The metal components in handcrafted jewelry are not restricted to bright, shiny metals or metals with bright, shiny plating. Some are dark coloured or even black. Some examples are black nickel, bronze and antique green. Black NickelFirst of all, wearing black jewelry is not meant for dealing with tarnish problems alone. Black is beautiful! (photograph: pink bead necklace with black rhodium chain)
The appealing black nickel coating may wear off to reveal a dull base metal or the nickel itself may tarnish badly. In either case, the appearance of the jewelry will degrade, although not as apparent from afar. Some people may observe degraded black nickel as tolerable. Others simply find them yucky! Handmade jewelry with black nickel plated parts is worth a try but do note that plating quality varies widely. What you experience with one is certainly not representative. Agalil work with black nickel parts occasionally. We conduct extensive testing to separate the wheat from the chaff. Handmade jewelry featuring black nickel parts from Agalil lasts longer. Bronze and Antique GreenAgain, quality of plating varies widely. What is good about these two is that the ones with good plating tend to age well. (photograph: beaded jewelry with antique green metal parts)
This reminds me of how home decorators artificially age furniture to achieve a vintage look. Some customers like this vintage look of oxidized bronze and antique green plating so much, they want us to have their jewelry tarnished before passing to them! Let me show you an example. (photo) With bad quality plating, the result is different and ugly. (photo) Wear and tear from friction will cause the plating to fade and expose the base metal. This happens faster will lower quality plating. (photo) If you like the idea of vintage looking jewelry, check these options out even if your perspiration doesn't tarnish jewelry easily.
Tarnish My Jewelry? I Have Already Done That... Heh, HehQuite a few handmade jewelry designers tarnish the metal parts of their jewelry on purpose. Er... No. These people are not weird or out of their minds. It's a creative form of expression. That is why handmade jewelry is so interesting. Designers can get creative without constraints from norms and conventions. Oxides of metals can be interesting and artfully presented. The designers may not have 'jewelry tarnishing sweat' in mind when they create. Anyway, it can be a good option as the jewelry is pre-tarnished and they are unlikely to get any worse. Interesting oxides are possible with a few metals. Here are some examples of silver artificially oxidized and tarnished. (a few photos) In summary, one strategy in dealing with tarnish is to consider jewelry that are already dark coloured or totally tarnished. If you can't beat them, join them! What has been presented so far are interesting options beyond shiny, glaring bling even if you have 'jewelry friendly' sweat.
More OptionsWe'll wrap up this lesson by going through a few more options quickly. GoldHave you tried gold? If you have issues with the colour or price, sit tight for lesson 7. You will gain a new perspective, even a new find. SilverNobody recommends silver. They are one of the worst as they tarnish so easily. We recommend silver because we have discovered a technology breakthrough. Look out for lesson 6. Super AlloysJewelry parts are not restricted to traditional metals and platings. Some interesting alloys are produced to be considered for jewelry crafting. This is not a common option among handcrafted jewelry designers. It's an option at Agalil and we'll talk about this next lesson - lesson 5. These are some tough cookies, as tough as they come. EnamelThis option stands up to chemical abuse exceptionally well. One of our new found darlings. We have made a range of Agalil Handmade Rings and Agalil Handmade Toe Rings with enamel plating.
The Truth is Out ThereSo, you see, options abound. If you have found jewelry to tarnish too quickly on you, keep looking and keep trying. Technology is also helping by introducing new possibilities now and then. Good luck discovering. We wish you all the best.
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Sometimes, tarnished spots appear in isolated areas. With white metals, the blemishes are strikingly noticeable. But with black nickel, it is probably more tolerable and the 'life span' of the jewelry is extended.
They will still oxidize to form oxides. Not everybody agrees with this but many people, including us don't find the oxides ugly. They produce an antiqued look.