Hello, welcome back! Today I’d like to talk to you about an icky situation—tarnish and how to prevent it.
There are a few reasons why we need to prevent tarnish on our wire-wrapped jewelry: first, it diminishes the appearance. Also, it weakens the metal meaning it can break easily, tarnish may also cause skin irritation. Ultimately, it takes the value of all our hard work away.
So, let’s see what we can do to minimize the impact.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Prevent Tarnish on Wire Jewelry
1. Jewelry Cloth for Regular Cleaning
A jewelry cloth is a must-have at my working desk. On days I don’t feel like ‘working’ I’ll take my jewelry and give it a nice polish with the cloth. As Helena Daydreamer explains in the video below, the cloth will shine up your pieces with little effort.
Of course, these cloths will become dirty after a while—that’s a good sign! Remember the cloth won’t get into all the little ridges—especially on twisted wire—you can leave it as is because it is patina and adds to the look.
Important tip from Helena: don’t go over the stones with the polishing cloth because you can scratch them. Also, never use the cloth on pieces with gold or silver plating because it will remove the plating.
2. Use Protectaclear Sealant
Protectaclear by Everbrite is a liquid that will protect your jewelry by creating a hard, almost invisible coat on your jewelry to prevent tarnishing and even fingerprints. You can dip, spray, or even paint the finish onto your pieces, and brush marks will self-level after application.
Before you use Protectaclear, you’ll need to clean your jewelry with denaturized alcohol as Polly Arts Co. explains in the video below.
Important tip: you should not put the liquid in a plastic container—use a metal or glass container. Additionally, lay your jewelry out on aluminum foil to protect your work surface.
Now for the magic! Lightly brush the sealant on your jewelry and allow it to dry for an hour. Apply a second coat and allow it to dry again for an hour.
When the piece is dry, it is ready to wear. It may feel a bit scratchy at first, so I’d recommend going over your jewelry with a soft cloth and giving it a very light polish.
3. Silver Foam
I’m so in love with Hagerty Silver Foam! It makes cleaning silver, gold, and silver plate pieces a breeze. If you want to see the amazing transformation for yourself, head over to this video by Amy & Tanner Skrocki.
But be careful when you work with stones—softer stones like opal and turquoise will get damaged.
To use the Hagerty Silver Foam all you’ll need is a soft, lint-free, damp cloth and apply a liberal layer to your jewelry.
Afterward, wash and dry your pieces thoroughly to prevent more tarnish from developing later! For smaller items with twists and turns, you can use a Q-tip to get into those twists and turns.
4. Store Jewelry in Anti-Tarnish Bags
What if I told you that you can safely store your jewelry in bags that will keep them clean and unblemished? Well, that is the case when you use the Rosenthal Collection’s anti-tarnish bags. Pop it into the bag and your jewelry will be protected from atmospheric damage!
Amy & Tanner Skrocki explain in this video how you can make bags from cotton flannel, add a strip of anti-tarnish paper, and store your jewelry in an airtight container.
Remember, the chemicals in velvet boxes may still cause your jewelry to tarnish—rather use a cardboard presentation box that seals tightly. Add the strip of anti-tarnish paper before sealing!
5. Rust-Oleum Gloss Crystal Clear Sealant
Like the Protectaclear sealant, the Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear Sealant will create a thin layer of protection on your jewelry. Also, it prevents copper and silver from reacting with your skin’s natural oils.
Not sure how to use the product? Elle Kos has you covered in her quick video tutorial—click play to see her share her wisdom and safety tips. Remember, work in a well-ventilated area when you spray the product.
6. Tarnish-Resistant Wire
Save yourself a lot of heartache and frustration and use tarnish-resistant wire in your projects. Wish I had known about this neat trick when I started.
Although it is made from dead soft copper wire (we covered this topic in a previous post), it keeps its shape and makes wire wrapping projects a breeze. Best of all?
The wire is covered with a permanent tarnish-resistant coating that won’t chip or peel, it is RoHS- and REACH-compliant, so you don’t have to worry about health risks. Oh, and the colors you can choose from to match your stones and crystals!
7. Silica Gel Packs
Moisture, although you cannot feel or see it, is always present. For jewelers it is our worst enemy because it leads to tarnish, but how can you prevent it?
Easy, my friend! Silica gel packets will absorb moisture in your storage containers and keep your jewelry safe. Simply pop a few along with your jewelry in your airtight storage containers and no more tarnish. Anti-Tarnish Strips
Up there with silica gel packets, anti-tarnish strips are a godsend.
![Dry & Dry 2 Gram [100 Packets] Silica Gel Packets Desiccants, Silica Packets - Rechargeable Moisture Absorbers for Food Storage, Electronics, 3D Filament & Safes](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51662vLdsQL.jpg)
This video explains everything you need to know on how to use them. Simply pop them into jewelry boxes, pouches, or zip-loc bags along with your jewelry to help prevent tarnishing.
Not sure how to use them? These beauties won’t scratch your items either—whether you’re shipping them to customers, long-term storage, or just to keep them safe.
8. Anti-Tarnish Jewelry Organizer Box
Last, but not least, an anti-tarnish jewelry organizer box might just be what you need. There is enough space for all kinds of jewelry from necklaces to earrings and ear studs, to watches there’s a space for everything.
The interior is lined with soft velvet to protect your precious pieces. What’s more, the box is made from durable wood to provide structural integrity for years to come.
The Final Wrap
I hope these ideas will help you remain untarnished for years to come. These ideas are simple yet effective and will help you to keep your wire-wrapped beauties looking fresh and shiny for years to come.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. The best time to have made a plan was the day you made the piece and took preventative measures; the second-best time is now with the knowledge you’ve gained.
