Disclosure: Some of the links you’ll encounter are affiliate links. If you click and buy something, I’ll get a commission. If you’re reading a review of some precious metals company, please understand that some of the links are affiliate links that help me pay my bills and write about what I love with no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Is silver rust proof?
Does sterling silver rust or not?
No, sterling silver doesn’t rust. Rusting is a process that occurs when iron or steel is exposed to oxygen and moisture. But sterling silver is not made of iron. Instead, it’s an alloy mostly made of pure silver and other metals, like copper.
Sterling silver can tarnish, which is a chemical process that changes the color of the metal over time. But tarnishing is not the same as rusting.
Does sterling silver corrode?
Sterling silver doesn’t corrode. Tarnishing is a type of corrosion, but silver tarnish can easily be removed without lasting damage to the sterling silver item.
Right below I covered the most commons questions people have about silver rusting and corrosion.
- Does Fake Silver Rust? What About Jewelry Made of Fake Sterling Silver?
- Does Silver Bullion Rust?
- Does Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Rust?
- Does Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Rust in Water?
- Does Sterling Silver Rust When Exposed to Chlorine?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Water?
- Does Silver Corrode When Exposed to Moist Air?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Bleach?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Vinegar?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Toothpaste?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Flame or Fire?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Nitric Acid?
- Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Baking Soda?
- Are Different Types of Silver (800, 925, 999)Â Susceptible to Rust?
Table of Contents
Does Fake Silver Rust? What About Jewelry Made of Fake Sterling Silver?
Yes, fake silver rusts if your “sterling silver” jewelry is actually mostly made of iron or steel. For example, you have an authentic silver ring which turns out is only thinly silver-plated with base made or steel.
As the sliver plate flakes off the steel base will get exposed to air moisture and over time oxidize and rust.
Does Silver Bullion Rust?
No, silver bullion (silver coins and bars) doesn’t rust if it’s truly made of authentic sterling silver (for example IRA-approved silver coins you can own as part of your silver IRA account).
Fake silver coins and bars with thin silver plate and iron/steel base will eventually and inevitably start to oxidize.
But true silver coins and bars won’t.
Note: you have nothing to worry about if you bought your silver bullion from a legitimate gold investment company like Augusta Precious Metals.
Besides being a legitimate gold IRA provider, Augusta also sell genuine silver bullion to interested US investors.
Does Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Rust?
No, sterling silver cubic zirconia doesn’t rust. CZ is a tough material that’s resistant to scratches and rusting. And true sterling silver can never rust, only tarnish and corrode.
Does Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Rust in Water?
Sterling silver cubic zirconia doesn’t rust when exposed to water. Prolonged exposure to water (especially salt water) will tarnish sterling silver cubic zirconia. The tarnishing effect happens because of the copper content in the sterling silver alloy.
Copper is sensitive to sulfur-containing gases, which are found in air molecules, water, wool, felt, and more.
Does Sterling Silver Rust When Exposed to Chlorine?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to chlorine. Only iron and steel oxidize and rust. However, chlorine corrodes and weakens silver, which leads to permanent structural damage.
While technically not rusting, the corroding process is similar and the end result is similar too.
Bottom line is that you don’t want to expose your precious silver item to chlorine.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Water?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to water. Only iron and steel can oxidize and rust, and silver and other precious metals can’t rust.
Water alone doesn’t corrode silver, but sulfur compounds in water can corrode silver, especially over time.
However, silver tarnishes when exposed to water, especially if you leave your silver item submerged for a couple of hours.
Salt water is more damaging to silver than regular water. Salt water causes silver to tarnish and lose its luster quicker due to the corrosive nature of the salt. which speeds up the oxidation process.
Does Silver Corrode When Exposed to Moist Air?
No, silver doesn’t corrode in moist air. However, silver tarnishes when exposed to sulfur compounds present in the air which is often the cause of the blackening seen on silver items.
Moist air also tarnishes silver objects due to the presence of oxygen.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Bleach?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to bleach. Only iron and steel can oxidize and rust, and silver and other precious metals don’t rust.
Silver corrodes when exposed to bleach. Bleach is a strong chemical that rapidly degrades and corrodes any pure silver object that comes in contact with it.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Vinegar?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to vinegar. Only iron and steel can oxidize and rust, and silver and other precious metals can’t rust.
Silver doesn’t corrode when exposed to vinegar. In fact, you can use vinegar to remove tarnish from your silver items.
That said, never use only vinegar to clean your silver item. Undiluted vinegar over time and with repeated exposure will corrode your silver jewelry.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Toothpaste?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to toothpaste. Rusting specifically refers to the oxidation of iron, which doesn’t apply to any form of silver, including sterling silver.
Silver also doesn’t corrode when exposed to toothpaste. However, the abrasive particles in toothpaste can scratch the surface of silver jewelry, so don’t clean your silver jewelry with toothpaste.
Or if you do make sure rub quickly, gently and clean thoroughly afterwards.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to lemon juice. Rusting specifically refers to the oxidation of iron, which doesn’t apply to any form of silver, including sterling silver.
Silver corrodes when exposed to lemon juice. Lemon juice is highly acidic and prolonged exposure to it corrodes sterling silver and permanently damages it. (Note: lemon juice doesn’t corrode pure gold and gold jewelry).
You can use lemon juice to efficiently remove tarnish from your sterling silver items. The secret is you don’t want lemon juice to be touching your silver item’s surface for too long.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Flame or Fire?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to flame or fire. Rusting specifically refers to the oxidation of iron, which doesn’t apply to any form of silver, including sterling silver.
Extreme heat from a fire can melt silver (the melting point of sterling silver is 1,640° Fahrenheit (893°C)) or cause it to develop a “fire stain” due to a reaction with airborne contaminants. This is essentially a form of severe tarnish that’s difficult to remove.
Note: sterling silver is highly resistant to fire and it’s possible to use lighter fire to test your silver item’s authenticity.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Nitric Acid?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to nitric acid. Rusting specifically refers to the oxidation of iron, which doesn’t apply to any form of silver, including sterling silver.
Nitric acid corrodes silver. It’s one of the few acids that can significantly corrode silver due to a chemical reaction that produces silver nitrate.
Silver nitrate forms when silver comes into contact with nitric acid and silver atoms are oxidized and dissolve in the acid.
Does Silver Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Baking Soda?
No, silver doesn’t rust when exposed to baking soda. Rusting specifically refers to the oxidation of iron, which doesn’t apply to any form of silver, including sterling silver.
Baking soda doesn’t corrode silver, but it is abrasive and can scratch precious metals, including sterling silver jewelry.
This means you can use baking soda to clean your silver jewelry, as long as you know how.
Are Different Types of Silver (800, 925, 999)Â Susceptible to Rust?
800, 925 and 999 silver types aren’t susceptible to rust. These marks indicate the purity of silver and not whether silver can rust or not.
- 925: The most common mark for sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver;
- 999: Fine silver, which is 99.9% pure silver;
- 800: 80% pure silver or lower quality than sterling silver.
Does Sterling Silver Rust or Not (Conclusion)?
Sterling silver doesn’t rust. No other types of silver can rust. Silver can only tarnish and corrode.
If you have questions LMK in the comment section below.
References:
- Can anyone tell me why my silver seems to be rusting?- https://www.reddit.com/r/metalworking/comments/11ahyzo/can_anyone_tell_me_why_my_silver_seems_to_be/
- Is it true that the more pure silver is, the less likely it is to tarnish or rust?’ https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-the-more-pure-silver-is-the-less-likely-it-is-to-tarnish-or-rust
- Does Silver Rust? What You Need to Know About Silver Oxidation’ https://sdbullion.com/blog/does-silver-rust
- Does Silver Rust -Here are Facts you Must Know’ https://kdmfab.com/does-silver-rust/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
