The Showroom Problem That Starts in Your Workshop

Why silver jewellery tarnishes before it sells and what manufacturers can actually do about it

The complaint usually comes from retailers, not customers.

"Stock black ho gaya." Pieces that arrived looking perfect three weeks ago now have that familiar dark tint. The retailer hasn't even sold them yet.

This is the tarnishing problem and it's not really a retail problem at all. It's a manufacturing problem that shows up at retail.

WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING

Silver reacts with hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) in the air. That's the chemistry. But the reality is more complex:

• H₂S concentration varies by location — industrial areas, coastal cities, and monsoon humidity accelerate tarnishing

• Handling leaves fingerprints — skin oils and sweat create reaction points

• Storage conditions matter — cardboard packaging, humid stockrooms, poor ventilation

• Transit time adds exposure — export shipments spend weeks in containers

The same piece that stays bright in one showroom turns black in another. Isliye consistent quality control mushkil ho jaata hai you can't control what happens after it leaves your door.

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THE BUSINESS COST NOBODY TRACKS

Tarnishing doesn't show up as a line item. It hides in other costs:

• Re-polishing labour — restoring tarnished inventory before it can sell

• Returns and replacements — retailers sending back stock that "arrived tarnished"

• Write-offs — pieces that sat too long become unsellable at original price

• Reputation cost — retailers associate your brand with quality problems

• Export rejections — international buyers won't accept tarnished shipments

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WHY THE USUAL SOLUTIONS DON'T WORK

Most manufacturers try one of three approaches:

Lacquer: Creates a visible coating that yellows over time and eventually peels. Customers notice.

Wax: Changes the feel of the piece. Wears off with handling. Needs reapplication.

Anti-tarnish bags: Work during storage, but protection ends when the bag opens. Doesn't help in the showroom.

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WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS

Chemical passivation creates an invisible barrier directly on the metal surface not a coating on top, but a molecular-level seal that blocks the reaction between silver and H₂S.

OXIFEND5 from Legor is a concentrated passivation that works on silver, brass, bronze, low karat gold, and electroplated layers:

• Completely invisible — 0.001–0.01 μm layer, no colour change, no feel change

• 20X concentrated — 250ml makes 5L working solution, lower cost per piece

• Dual application — simple dip (5–20 min at 50–60°C) or electrolytic for complex shapes

• Multi-threat protection — seals against H₂S, UV, sweat, and humidity

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WHAT THIS WON'T FIX

Passivation isn't a substitute for basic process discipline.

If pieces aren't properly cleaned before treatment, the passivation won't bond correctly. If the working solution is contaminated or the temperature isn't right, results will be inconsistent.

And it won't help if tarnishing isn't actually your problem. Agar aapka stock quickly sell ho jaata hai, toh OXIFEND5 ki zaroorat nahi hai.

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SEEING TARNISH COMPLAINTS?

The test is simple: apply OXIFEND5 to one batch, store alongside untreated pieces, compare after 4 weeks. The difference will be visible.

Request trial sample: help@preciousalloy.com | +91 22 6101 4444