Wednesday 13 April 2011

Why do silver turn black?

The reason is : http://www.jewelry-secrets.com/Metals/Silver/Why-Does-Silver-Tarnish/What-Makes-Sterling-Silver-Tarnish.html


Silver is the most popular type of metal used for Jewelry in the World today. Jewelers love it, customers love it, there's a great abundance of it, and it's inexpensive! It seems like such a win-win situation, doesn't it?But there's one huge down-fall to Silver. It tarnishes! It turns black. It leaves dark black, blue, purple stains on your fingers, wrists and neck. It even leaves stains on your clothes. Everywhere that Silver touches, Silver leaves its mark. And not in a pretty way! It's gross and ugly!
The funny thing is,
 it doesn't stop people from buying itor wearing it. People know Silver does this, and they don't care. It's still highly popular.
I would surmise that there are 
3 main reasons why Silver is so sought after1) It's Cheap!(Very Cheap!) 2) It's very malleable. Jewelers and Artists have no problems molding and shaping Silver into wonderful works of art. 3) It's White! People have always been attracted to White Metals. Now more than ever. If you go into any Jewelry Store, over half the cases will be full of White Metals like: Silver, Platinum, Titanium, Tungsten, Steel or White Gold. There's no denying it, White Metals are HOT!
Silver Jewelry has been around forever. But forever doesn't help the fact that Silver is very soft.
Silver is actually too soft to wear as Jewelry. That's why most of the Silver you find on the market today is called "Sterling Silver". Sterling Silver is more durable than pure Silver because of one main reason. It's mixed with other alloys. Sterling Silver contains 92.5% Silver, and the other 7.5% is Copper. Copper makes the Silver stronger and more durable so it can be crafted and styled into beautiful Jewelry pieces.
That's why you'll normally find a karat stamp inside the Rings or Jewelry that says "
.925" That means 92.5% Silver, which is what the Government says Silver needs to be, to be sold in the U.S.A. as "Silver".
No matter what, Pure or mixed, 
nothing stops Silver from tarnishing. When Silver is exposed to the air and atmosphere, it causes a chemical reaction that creates something called Silver Sulfate. That's what that lovely little black mark is on your finger. A Sulfate stain.

There really isn't much you can do about Silver tarnishing. It's just the nature of Silver. 
Silver's a metal that reacts to chemicals. Whether it be chemicals in the air, or chemicals touching it. Silver reacts!
That's why most Sterling Silver sold today is plated with a thin layer of metal protection.
 This process is called "Flashing", and they use either Silver or Rhodium to coat the outside of the Rings or Jewelry to make them look Whiter, Brighter, and to keep the tarnishing downto a minimum. So until that plating wears off, your Silver will actually hold up pretty well.
Here's a list of things that 
Silver has a bad reaction with: Wool, Rubber Bands, Latex Gloves, Oils from your Hands and Fingers, Ammonia, Chlorinated Water, Carpet Padding, Air Pollution, Perfumes, Hair Sprays, and believe it or not, some foods can even make Silver tarnish. Foods like: Onions, Mayonnaise, Salad Dressing, Eggs and Salty Foods. (Put down those Chips!)
In fact, just the 
humidity alone can cause Silver to corrode! It's a never-ending battle.
The good thing is, it's easy to buff and clean Silver. It doesn't take much to polish up a Ring with a Polishing Cloth or a Jeweler's Buffing Wheel. Just a couple of minutes and your Silver Jewelry will look new again.
The best way to store your Silver Jewelry is in 
individually sealed poly bags or zip lock bags. Store it with those cute little Silica Gel Packs and it'll help remove any moisture from the air. It won't keep your Jewelry from tarnishing, but it will delay the process.
Cleaning your Silver Jewelry with warm water and drying it with a soft cloth after you wear it, will remove any oily residue and slow the process down as well.
Some people also advise 
storing your Jewelry with chalk just because it absorbs the toxins in the bag. Keeping your Jewelry in Tupperware or Rubbermaid Bins works great also.

The best medicine for preventing Silver from tarnishing, believe it or not...Is to wear it!
It's true. Just normal wear and tear and friction of daily life will sometimes be enough to keep your Rings outer surface Bright and White! Fancy that! And if it starts to tarnish, what ever you do... Don't use Toothpaste to clean it with! The chemicals in Toothpaste are too harsh for Silver and it'll do more damage than good.
I'd recommend using a good Silver Polish or a softPolishing Cloth made for Silver, or the best thing to do, is to take it in to a Jewelry Store twice a year and have them buff and clean your Jewelry.
Silver makes great Jewelry, and it makes it cheaper than any other White Metal out there. Silver's popularity with handcrafted goods have been passed down from generation to generation. Great American Indian Tribes have dabbled in Silver for centuries. Tribes like the Navajo, Domingo, Zuni, Hopi and Pueblo Indians have been incorporating Silver with wonderful Gemstones like: Turquoise (also known as the "Sky Stone"), Tigers Eye, Onyx, Lapis, Malachite, Amber and Coral into their Folk Lore, Culture and into our admiration, hearts and souls for countless years. Silver is just inspiring! 
And just remember, wear your Silver often, keep it dry and clean, and polish it a couple times a year. That way, your Sterling Silver Jewelry will last you a lifetime, and for only a couple of bucks, that's a great investment you can't deny!


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*Additional Details : story !

They are real silver and of course I wash daily. This is something that started recently, I buy very expensive silver accessories and it starts getting dark after few days. It turns dark as if it's been burnt / thrown in to fire.
Someone told me that it's a sign of ill health, but I don't feel unwell *

Answer :

Your silver jewelry turning black means that it has oxidized and tarnished. Silver usually tarnishes when it is left exposed, out in the open air for an extended amount of time. If your silver jewelry tarnishes after you polish it with silver cleaner then perhaps you are not using the right products. Some household detergents contain sulfuric particles, which may damage and tarnish the silver. Therefore, when buying silver cleaning products, make sure they do not contain sulfur and that they are appropriate for cleaning jewelry. If you are sure you have been using the appropriate cleaning solutions, then perhaps the trouble is that you had kept the cleaning products on for too long, or you had neglected to wash them off properly. In general, silver cleaning products are not meant to tarnish your silver jewelry, in fact they are supposed to prevent tarnish or discoloration. Do not be afraid of using silver cleaning products, just make sure that you use them properly. Silver doesn’t tarnish that easily…though it does tarnish when it is exposed to air and sweat…so, try to wear it when you are not so sweaty, as in doing sports, or outdoors. Also, are you sure it is sterling…sometimes, it is not sterling and that’s another reason why it is tarnishing so quickly. Your body's excretions such as sweat corrode the silver, and the air also has agents that tarnish it. To prevent this, you can either buy silver cleaner at the store, or you could use toothpaste and an old toothbrush to clean it. Just make sure you don't use your fingers with the toothpaste, because your fingers will turn black!
It's tarnish--a sulfur reaction in the metal. Happens to all silver, but it's worse on some people (like me) because our skin speeds up the chemical reaction. You can tell you have good silver if it says .925 on it, but more silver=more tarnish. Oh, well.

Answer by goldsmith :

I'm doing silver cleaning job everyday in my area which works best and fast.
I do cleaning and repolishing about 1 kg everyday for other goldsmith.
If your jewelry is without stone then only use following process.
Use 15% to 25% sulfuric acid in water and then if you can heat the silver jewelry and then directly put into the acid it'll come out white smoke and then just put for 5 to 10 mins, then rinse and then do the polishing or put into tumble machine with very small amount (5 ml to 10 ml) of acidic solution.

click here to read more...
http://www.finishing.com/381/08.shtml
http://www.diamondpriceguide.com/c170_Silver/c184_How-to-Clean-Silver/q80284_Why-did-my-silver-jewelry-turn-black-after-I-polished-it-with-silver-cleaner
http://www.thefoolsgold.net/sterling-silver/why-is-my-sterling-silver-turning-black-after-2-days


Sunday 27 March 2011

Gems of Countries

Diamonds are found in South Africa, Canada, Australia, GhanaZaire, and Russia and the USA (Arkansas, California, Colorado, and North Carolina).

Garnets are found in 
Africa, Brazil, Canada, IndiaMadagascarSri Lanka, and the United States.

Amethysts are found in the United States in 
ColoradoGeorgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Amethyst can also be found in Brazil, Canada, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Russia, and Sri Lanka.
Aquamarine is found in Brazil, India, NigeriaPakistan, Russia, and The United States
Emeralds now typically come from Columbia and Zambia, although they are still found in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Russia.
Rubies are found all over the world, but different color and quality stones come from different areas. The highest quality stones come from Myanmar, and the brightest stones come from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Darker stones are found inThailand, Australia, India, Russia, and the United States in Georgia, North Carolina, and Wyoming.

Myanmar produces the highest quality sapphires, as well as Sri Lanka and India. Lighter colored sapphires are found in Montana, USA. Darker colored sapphires come from Thailand, 
Australia, Nigeria, Brazil, Cambodia, Columbia, Kenya, and Malawi.

Opals are only found in Australia, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Mexico, and the United States - in Idaho.
Topaz is found in Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, and the United States. In the United States (Colorado, Maine, and Utah).

Many countries have had gemstones linked to them for hundreds of years. Following are some ...
Alaska
Algiers
Arabia
Australia
Belgium
Bohemia
Bolivia
Brazil
Burma
Canada
Ceylon
Chile
China
Columbia
Congo
Denmark
Egypt
England
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hungary
India
Iran
Ireland
Italy
Korea
Madagascar
Mexico
Morocco
Namibia
New England
New South Wales
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Sandwich Islands
Scotland
Serbia
Sicily
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
United States
Uruguay
Garnet
Coral
Pearl
Opal
Crystal
Garnet
Lapis-Lazuli
Tourmaline
Ruby
Jade
Cat 's-Eye
Lapis Lazuli
Jade
Emerald
Malachite
Agate
Peridot
Diamond
Pearl
Amber
Sapphire
Diamond
Opal
Pearl
Turquoise
Serpentine (Connemara)
Coral
Abalone Pearl
Morganite
Obsidian
Coral
Diamond
Tourmaline
Opal
Jade
Carnelian
Agate
Emerald
Pearl
Chrysoberyl
Amber
Rhodonite
Olivine
Cairngorm (Smoky Quartz)
Coral
Amber
Diamond
Emerald
Carnelian
Rock Crystal
Ruby
Turquoise
Sapphire
Amethyst

Friday 4 March 2011

Luckystones and benefits

                                           Benefits if wearing Diamond
Now after wearing diamond a person will have improved and generous thoughts and it will remove evil and fearful thoughts making his or her personality attractive and charming. Diamond will help to improve native’s facial lusture and gives him more confidence which in turn open many ways to success. He will have more peace of mind and goodness in thoughts after wearing diamond. But always wear good quality and unblemished diamond for its effects.
It helps to cure and fight many diseases like diabetes, urine problem, problems of private parts, skin problems etc.

                                           Advantages of wearing Neelam Blue Sapphire                                           Neelam in combination of other stones helps to cure and
fight bone cancer, kidney trouble, nerve disease and paralysis.
Such a stone will bring the wearer wealth, fame, a good name, health, happiness, prosperity, a long life, mental peace, and good children. Wearing a blue sapphire protects against danger, travel problems, terror, thieves, accidents and problems from storms, fire, or natural disasters. It can cause financial fortunes to change for the better, help with a person's career, and make the wearer rich. It can free one of mental anxiety.
It helps make one detached, and protects against envy. It can be worn for good luck and for protection against evil spirits. Since Saturn rules the nervous system, blue sapphires help problems of the nerves-tension and neuroses-diseases caused by an afflicted Saturn. Because Saturn is the slowest moving planet, it tends to cause chronic disease. Sapphires are also believed to have healing and calming properties. 
Sapphires are also often used in crown jewels to symbolise a wise and pure ruler.Gives strong influence and attractions , protects health and gives fame and wealth to the wearer.Sapphires are mined mainly in Australia, Myanmar (Burma), Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Cambodia. Some of the best sapphires come from Sri Lanka. Australian sapphires are deep blue to nearly black. Montana, USA, has metallic blue sapphires To have maximum effect, the gemstone chosen should be of good quality. The better the gem's quality, the more powerful its effect. The less valuable the gem, the larger the stone should be to have the full effect.


Emerald stone benefits

Wearing of emerald in combination of other stones ensures success in competitive exams, trade and business. Also it helps in promotion and prosperity as it enhances intellect, memory, analytical  and intellect power. It helps those children who are having problems in their brain, memory and speech. It helps to control and cure stammering, fear, amnesia, epilepsy, fickle mindedness, ulcer, diarrhea, dysentery, gastritis, asthma, heart problems, insomnia etc.
Again emerald in combination of other gems helps to cure breast cancer, mouth cancer, stomach cancer, breathing troubles, nerve diseases, gallstones, insanity, insomnia, eye trouble, pthysis pleurisy, hypertension, meningitis, brain tumor, paralysis and pancreatic trouble.Emerald means Budh. Budh is the lord of Business, plastic, liquid if you have your business in this field so by wearing emerald will prove profitable to you. It also helps in growth of brain, students also get a good help, it helps in a very good progress in new business, and also makes new and efficient client.Gives luck to settle debts, mind focus and strong influence.The best quality emerald is found in Colombia. This is known in the international market as Colombian Emerald. Fine emeralds are also found in other countries, e.g. Zambia, Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Russia. In the international market Zambian and Brazilian emerald is considered next to Colombian emerald in quality.Excellent quality emerald crystals in beautiful deep green colour and with good transparency come from Zambia. Their colour is mostly darker than that of Colombian emerald.


It is a mineral - a compound of silicate of aluminum beryllium and oxygen. Its colour is light or deep green. This gemstone is very high priced for it is very difficult to find a flawless emerald.


Advantages of wearing Cat's Eye
Cat' eye in combination with other stones helps you cure blood cancer, gland cancer, bone cancer, mouth cancer. Again it helps to cure paralysis, cancer, asthma, fainting fits skin diseases, mental worries, insanity etc. again people suffering from unexpected fears and tensions can get great relief after wearing cat’s eye with Jupiter.Cat’s eye stone is helpful in curing diseases likemania, paralysis etc. it helps native in eradicating evil influences of Ketu and diseases given by mars. It helps to prevent unexpected and sudden mishaps and saves from accidents and secret enemies. It brings fortune to native. For businessman and people involved in speculative endeavors it gives miraculous result. Bestows wealth by secret means like horse racing, gambling, stock exchange market and speculations. It is very helpful for persons having diseases or problems genetically. That is genetic diseases can be reduced and can be eradicated by wearing cat’s eye stone. Again hardworking children or students if not getting good results of their hard work then cat's-eye stone will play a great role in giving them fruits of their hard work. Again people who are suffering from unknown powers or fears can get great relief after wearing cat’s eye.


Benefits of Coral
Mental peace, health protection, good luck, wealth and oratory influence,By wearing Coral if you are doing any kind of work related to property, or you are not getting married, or there are problems between a couple after marriage so by wearing this stone all your problems will be solved.
This stone increases administrative powers, self-assurance, enhances luck in buying and selling of properties and land and applying rights in political and political arenas.Adults are protected from ailments like small-pox, abortion, fever, typhus, piles and impotency. Children get protection from stomach aches and rackets by wearing this stone on the neck.Coral is an Organic Substance. It is not a mined stone or mineral, but an organic gemstone. Formed from a living creature, it is the "skeleton" formed by individual polyps, plant-like animals, which make up a colony under seawater in deep sea. It is a hard calcareous matter formed of innumerable skeletons continuously secreted by many families of marine coelenterate polyps (a family of zoophytes, gelatinous marine animals called polyps) for their support and habitation. It looks like an underwater colourful plant which keeps growing biologically. It is one of the priceless gifts from the sea for the mankind.

Red Italian coral is believed to be the finest quality coral, mostly demanded in the jewellery industry. Coral reefs are found in almost all the oceanic parts of the world. The major deposit of coral is the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The finest specimens come from Sardinia and Tunisia; the coral from Japan and China is considered slightly inferior in quality but its price is more than Italian red coral because it is found in less quantity. Coral is also found off the coast of Washington State (U.S.A) and the Aleutian Islands off Alaska.
Coral is found in clear, shallow seawater at a depth of about 15ft to 160ft. The greater the depth at which coral is found, the lighter is its colour.Imitation red coral is made of conch-shell and compacted powdered marble. Plastic, wood and wax are also used in the making imitation red coral




Benefits of  Yellow sapphire
Yellow sapphire in combination with other stones helps to cure and fight blood cancer, gland cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, gallstones, insanity, hernia, appendicitis, phthisis, pleurisy, hypertension, meningitis, carbuncle, piles, pancreatic trouble. 
If we are doing any kind of study and we face problems ,yellow Saphire helps us increasing the knowledge of that thing. It helps in increasing your wealth, your mind will be peaceful, it will always think in positive manner, your tounge becomes sweet, hepls in removing all the lossess from business. Keeps you away from tension and depression. And it helps in making profit in some or the other manner. This stone is worn by many Politicians, Celebraties, Doctors and they also belive that it is helpful in some or the other manner.Gives luck in business, love affairs, influence and health protection.in order to have better monetary results, name, fame, wealth and good health one should wear yellow sapphire. Also it helps to improve the eye sight and is supposed to protect a person from calamities, misfortunes and enemies. It cures ulcer rheumatism, gastric problems, jaundice, asthma, arthritis, gout and impotency.






Blue sapphire 6 layer .
Sapphires have been worn since ancient times and have a long history and many traditions associated with them. In ancient Persia it was believed that the world rested on an immense sapphire and that it was the reflection of this sapphire that caused the sky to be blue. Traditionally it was thought that the tablets that held the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament were made from sapphire that was so strong that it could not be smashed even by a large hammer. Also the seal-stone in the ring of King Solomon was said to have been a sapphire. Among Buddhists, the sapphire is regarded as the Stone of Stones giving spiritual light and is thought to bring a desire for prayer. Buddhists also believe that sapphires bring peace and happiness as long as the wearer leads a pure and moral life. During the Middle Ages in Europe sapphires were worn as protection against poison, fevers, plague, and skin diseases. They were believed to be a powerful talisman against Black Magic and were thought to encourage chastity.
Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September and it symbolises faithfulness and sincerity. Sapphires are also believed to have healing and calming properties. Sapphires are also often used in crown jewels to symbolise a wise and pure ruler.Gives strong influence and attractions , protects health and gives fame and wealth to the wearer.




Benefits of wearing Gomed (hessonite)



Gomed is cold in nature and it helps to cure the diseases of Rahu and Saturn. It also helps to improve gastric problems, appetite and vitality. It confers native good health, wealth and happiness. It helps the person in all round prosperity.


But it must be worn according to the advise of the astrologer otherwise it may cause discomfort and restlessness. If it suits a person, it confers success and victory over enemies. It helps to cure mental disorders.




Benefits of Amethyst
Amethyst is a rare form of quartz that is popularly used in different parts of the world. It is a six sided crystal which is found within geodes. It can either be in the form of mass or crystal, and usually contains manganese. However most amethyst stones are not natural in nature, they are heated to produce a shade of purple. Amethyst has been popularly used to generate far infrared radiation, which has the following health benefits.Typically, amethyst crystals emit a low level of heat that can help you sleep, and calm the body as well.Infrared radiation also aids in proper blood circulation in the body, especially ‘microcirculation’ in your skin. It is more suited in promoting effective and more increased blood circulation as compared to ‘conductive heat’.Infrared radiation is not only effective in promoting blood circulation, but also flow of bodily fluids. Infrared radiation has been known to increase the flexibility of the blood vessels, ensuring all the nutrients reach their destinations quickly. In addition, it also speedsthe overall fluid transportation in your body.Because infrared aids in enhancing blood circulation, it can help faster healing of wounds by bringing nutrients to the cells for repair. In addition, infrared radiation also helps to repair damaged tissues as a result of reconstructive surgeries, diabetes mellitus or other acute and chronic damage.The main disadvantage of amethyst is that it is very rare and therefore is quite expensive especially when it comes to the production of far infrared radiation.Last but not least, we know that far-infrared radiation helps to inhibit bacterial growth by inhibiting the enzymes that lead to their growth. Scientists have found that it is far-infrared radiation specifically and not merely heat that inhibits the growth of some bacteria in the body. 
Regular heat does not have the same effect.These are a few of the benefits of far-infrared radiation.