Zinc alloy jewelry is typical in the fashion and beauty industry, and its most people’s favorite. Zinc alloy is a type of metal commonly used in jewelry making. I am sure if you are a jewelry lover, you are familiar with the metal. That’s because it is affordable and versatile. Besides, the metal contains other metals that make it outstanding. Some people refer to it as the Tibetan silver. When used in jewelry making, zinc alloy exhibits a bluish-white color, but it is shiny. It is made from metals that are readily available from the environment. Some of the metals include copper, brass, and nickel. This article will generously discuss everything you need to know about zinc alloy jewelry. This is more so if you have a particular interest in jewelry.
What are the components of zinc alloy jewelry?
As mentioned earlier, this metal is an alloy, meaning that it contains several metals. Here are some of the main components of zinc alloy jewelry.
- Brass-Brass is a component of zinc alloy. It comes in handy when making jewelry. That’s because it contains zinc and copper.
- Nickel silver: This is another component of zinc alloy jewelry. However, several people are allergic to it because of its nature.
Does zinc alloy jewelry tarnish?
Does zinc alloy jewelry tarnish? This is one commonly asked question by most people before purchasing any jewelry made of zinc alloy. The answer to this question is yes. However, tarnishing doesn’t happen overnight. Whenever zinc gets exposed to the air, it becomes corrosion-resistant by reacting with carbon dioxide. This makes it form a layer that guards the metal against tarnishing, thus making it serve you for a long. This should give you some confidence when purchasing your desired piece of zinc alloy jewelry.
What causes the tarnishing of zinc alloy jewelry?
There are several causes of the tarnishing of zinc alloy jewelry. The conditions that your piece of jewelry is exposed to will determine how fast or long it will tarnish. Here are the causes.
Dents–In case your piece of zinc alloy is brazed or has dents, it is most likely to tarnish. The cuts will allow moisture and dirt to slip into the jewelry. This will translate into heavy corrosion resulting in the tarnishing of your zinc alloy jewelry.
Environmental elements–When pieces of zinc alloy jewelry are exposed to extreme weather conditions like humidity and high temperatures, they end up tarnishing. That’s why most jewelry traders will advise you not to expose them to such conditions if you want them to serve you for long.
Reactions–Zinc alloy is also known to tarnish due to the reactions caused by nonmetallic compounds within the jewelry surroundings. Oxidation is among the major causes of the tarnishing in zinc alloy jewelry. Other gases responsible for this are hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. However, most of these bruises can be prevented or removed through proper cleaning, as we shall confirm.
The quality of zinc alloy jewelry
There are many qualities of zinc alloy jewelry. Here are some of the main ones that should boost your confidence when purchasing any jewelry made of zinc alloy.
Durability: This is one of the best qualities of zinc alloy jewelry. Zinc is naturally a strong metal, and when combined with other metals, it becomes more robust, corrosion-resistant, stable, and boasts a high strength of impact. These qualities make the durable metal giving you value for your money after purchasing your piece of zinc alloy jewelry.
Versatility: Besides being used in making jewelry, there are many applications of zinc alloy. This versatile metal has been used in architectural applications, especially in developing rainwater systems, fittings, and house roofing. Additionally, zinc alloy is also used in preventing corrosion.
Moreover, this metal has electrical properties that make it ideal for preventing electromagnetic fields from some devices. In other words, the process is called electromagnetic shielding. When alloyed with brass, zinc works magically in thermal and electrical conductivity. The metal has been used to make medical equipment. All these uses of zinc alloy explain why you should not worry when purchasing a piece of zinc alloy jewelry you have been saving for.
Rust resistance: I am sure you don’t want to walk around with a piece of necklace that has rust. This is the more reason why zinc alloy jewelry remains your best option. Zinc alloy is rust-resistant because it is blended with other metals. Your jewelry will never rust, mainly if it contains zinc and metals like brass, copper, or bronze. These metals do not have iron, which is known as the main cause of rust in most metals.
Is zinc alloy hypo allergic?
Is zinc alloy hypo allergic? This is one of the frequent questions from buyers of jewelry. If you are in the beauty and fashion industry, I am sure you can confirm this. Jewelers will rarely use zinc alone to make jewelry. They prefer using alloyed zinc for various reasons. As mentioned earlier, zinc can get alloyed with several metals.
However, we have two main types of zinc alloyed jewelry today. They are the blend between zinc and brass and the combination between zinc and nickel silver. The zinc and brass alloy is the favorite choice for most people who are conversant with jewelry. That’s because the metal is not allergic to its users. I am sure your next question will be why zinc that is alloyed with brass is not allergic? Well, that’s because the combination reacts with the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This reaction creates a layer that is non-reactive hence preventing the metal from causing any allergies to you.
On the other hand, there is a combination of zinc and nickel, which is the leading cause of allergies. Therefore, it would be wise to consider zinc alloy jewelry that is blended with brass. It is also important to note that people react differently, and you might find some who are not allergic to zinc alloy even if it contains nickel.
Does zinc alloy jewelry turn green?
Most people ask why zinc alloy jewelry turns green. Well, this happens because of the copper component in the alloy. The green coloration will be activated by exposure to water. However, that should not scare you because the green color doesn’t cause any pain or harm. Besides, there are various ways of cleaning zinc alloy jewelry to remove the green color. Another major cause of zinc alloy jewelry’s green coloration is the reaction between your sweat and the metal components.
How to keep zinc alloy from tarnishing
There two main ways of preventing zinc alloy jewelry from tarnishing, and they give good results. They include keeping them away from water and air. Keeping your piece of zinc alloy jewelry away from the water prevents oxidation, which is the leading cause of jewelry damage.
Another way of ensuring that a zinc alloy necklace serves you for long is not exposing it to air. Additionally, applying some clear nail polish to zinc alloy jewelry brings magical results and prevents tarnishing. If you observe these two guidelines, you can be sure to rock in your jewelry for a long time.
Ways of cleaning a zinc alloy jewelry
I mentioned that all is not lost, even if your valuable zinc alloy necklace gets tarnished. Here are ways of cleaning zinc alloy jewelry.
Removal of black finish
Sometimes, zinc alloy jewelry develops some back spots or finishes. This makes them look unappealing, thus reducing your confidence while wearing them. However, there is a way out of this problem. Using a cotton bud that has been soaked in a nail polish remover, rub the jewelry gently using the back and forth method. You will be amazed by how quickly your jewelry will restore its sparkle. Nail polish remover is excellent in removing black spots in zinc alloy jewelry.
Use of a toothpaste
The use of toothpaste is also a magical way of removing tarnishes in zinc alloy jewelry. This is done by putting some little paste on a soft brush and make a direct application to your jewelry. The length of time you will rub the brush on the jewelry depends on how discolored it was. After rubbing and confirming that all the stains are gone, rinse it properly and make sure you have removed any residues of the paste. Use a piece of clothing to dry it and store it properly.
Lemon juice and baking soda paste
Some paste of lemon juice and baking soda is also another way of cleaning the zinc alloy jewelry. You need to rub the paste on a piece of cloth and gently apply it to the jewelry. For the most affected areas, take your time and do it repeatedly. After finishing, rinse it with water and dry it immediately.
Advantages of zinc alloy jewelry
Here are the advantages of zinc alloy jewelry that will ensure you don’t regret having it.
Resistant to Corrosion-Zinc alloy is different from most metals. That’s because it forms a layer of zinc carbonate. This ensures that the metal doesn’t easily react to air and water found in the surroundings. This is a feature that makes zinc alloy an outstanding metal.
It is readily available-Most metals are not easy to access. However, the case is different for zinc alloy. That’s because the metal is readily available and cheap. This explains why most jewelers prefer using it.
Versatility-Zinc alloy is safe to use for any jewelry. You can use it to make rings, chains, bracelets, and even watches. They are the safest to use, more so if you plate them. You can also use zinc alloy jewelry to rock on different occasions, be it a wedding, a baby shower, or a church event.
Durability-Nothing beats the satisfaction that comes with purchasing something that will serve you for a long. This is one of the benefits of zinc alloy jewelry. Zinc metal is strong on its own and boasts more dimension strength when blended with other metals. It gives it the ability to fight corrosion, thus making it durable.
Easy to Use-Jewelers will tell you that they like zinc alloy because it is easy to use. It is soft to mold, ensuring that you don’t struggle.
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How to deal with zinc alloy allergy
Some of the mains signs of zinc alloy jewelry allergic reaction include swelling, red skin, and itching. In some severe cases, one can feel pain in their skin. People react differently to metals. That is why it would not be fair to conclude that zinc alloy is 100% allergic. However, if you realize you are allergic to this metal, determining the exact alloy of zinc causing the allergy would help.
If you recognize it is nickel, you can shift to zinc alloy jewelry with copper or brass and vice versa. Another way of avoiding zinc alloy allergies is by applying creams to soothe and calm your skin after using your necklace. Most of these creams will keep the inflammation at bay. If the allergy goes to the extreme, then seeing a doctor will be the best option. They will be able to offer informed guidance that will keep you safe. However, some people use natural remedies, including the use of moisturizing body and calamine lotion.
Conclusion
The search for an ideal piece of jewelry can be hectic and fun at the same time. However, it is good for you to be on the lookout not to purchase something that will cause allergies. If you realize that a piece of certain jewelry has nickel components, you should avoid it at all costs. That’s because nickel is the leading cause of these allergies. Buying zinc alloy jewelry is satisfying. This jewelry is eye-catching and will make you stand out among many.
Besides, it doesn’t limit you to any occasion since the metal is versatile. However, your maintenance skills will determine the durability of zinc alloy jewelry. Have you been wondering what type of jewelry to go for in the market? Well, this article has broadly expounded on everything you need to know about zinc alloy jewelry. I believe this has been a perfect read, and you now know what to purchase.