A regular customer of mine returned a fine snake chain saying it was making black marks on her clothes. I put it through my tumbler with the soapy polishing compound and gave it back. But she returned it again due to the same problem. I got hold of a silver polishing cloth and a new chain out of my stocks and I just can't get it clean. Virtually the whole cloth is covered with black marks. I've washed the chain in mild detergent and tried again and it is still marking the cloth. Any suggestions, would an ultrasonic cleaner work. I'm worried about selling any of the other chains I have as they are obviously going to do the same.
Have you tried pickling it and then tumbling it again? Might be worth a go before you chuck all your chains... According to Red Hot Sal it's just to leave it in cillit bang for 15 minutes and then tumble.
I was going to suggest that maybe this lady sprayed her neck with a "potent" perfume which then would react with the silver chain, but if you get the same with the new chains then I am a bit lost for ideas.
Let us know how you get on :)
Thanks Julie, I will have to go and buy some cillit bang!
There is a chemical reaction that makes some people oxidise silver very quickly, but it shouldn't leave marks on clothing.
Checking with a polishing cloth is not a good test - you could be polishing all day and still get black marks - that's what the polishing cloth's designed to do. Try rubbing it with a spectacle cleaning cloth, or a piece of silk. If you get black marks, then there may be a problem.
If you're happy with the source of the chains, I would suggest it's the customer, rather than the silver - perhaps it might be better to offer her a lovely ribbon or thong as an alternative?
I agree with George. My silver bracelets go black if I've done lots of sweaty exercise. (Not very often. :D :D ) The chains come clean again because I wear them in the shower and soap them thoroughly. I've never noticed the black coming off on my clothes though. I can't wear silver plated either. The plating wears off very quickly and looks yucky. That's my excuse for asking for gold jewellery.
I had the same thing happen with a very long silver spiga chain I own. Came in from a night out with a very mucky white shirt and realised it was the chain. A quick dunk in silver cleaning solution and a tumble, solved the problem, I've not tried it on a snake chain though. I hope you manage to sort it Josephine.
HP x
Thanks folks. It or rather they are fine snake chains. I got them from Burhouse who I use a lot and haven't had a problem before as far as I know. i will get some silver cleaning solution, pickle didn't see to do the trick although I think they are a bit better than they were. They look fine but wiping along with a tissue you get a faint grey line.