How to Keep Rings From Rusting

Fading can devalue the worth of your jewelry. Rings, because they contact many objects throughout the day, are especially vulnerable. Rust refers to the reaction between iron and oxygen, which can damage rings with iron in them. Jewelry can also be affected by tarnish, which is the reaction of certain metals, such as silver, to air, water or even some solids, whereby a black or dull gray substance forms on the metal. You can prevent rusting or tarnishing by caring for your jewelry on a consistent basis.

Small containers with lids
Charcoal
Polish
Dehumidifier

Instructions

- 1
  Open new jewelry boxes. Allow them to air out for at least one month before use. The sulfur present in glue could cause silver to tarnish.
- 2
  Separate all your jewelry by metal or type. Certain metals react in the presence of other metals, causing tarnish. For example, horn and tortoiseshell contain sulfurous properties, which react with silver to create tarnish.
- 3
  Store metal jewelry in a small, air-tight containers. Air-borne chemicals such as oxygen and sulfur play roles in tarnishing and rusting. Store silver with pieces of charcoal. The charcoal helps absorb additional sulfur.
- 4
  Place jewelry containing iron in a humidity-free container or place a small dehumidifier near iron jewelry. Moisture and oxygen combine with iron to create iron oxide, or rust.
- 5
  Polish your rings regularly — at least once per month — using polish appropriate for that specific metal.

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