Keeping your Rings and your Silver Rings ...

[Military]

Is there a proper way to keep or store rings? I suppose it would be better to store rings separately in individual compartments?

How about Silver Rings? Do these tarnish over time? do silver rings need to be kept at low humidity or with silca agent?

I'd like to see how rings are stored or displayed. i acquired a few pieces of late.
thanks guys.

Mil

[Jon Fish]

Mil, if your talking about your TK ring Don always told me to wear mine every now and again,get it out and handle it.

[Stahlhelm]

Hi, Mil:

First, I agree that it would be better to store rings separately in individual compartments, if you're intent is, in fact, to simply store them. For storage purposes, I agree that the more they are protected in their own area, away from circulating air (with all its tarnish-producing elements) the better. However, in general, I do not see why there should be a problem keeping them in the same closed case together, if you're purpose is to display them. Just having them openly near one another for display should not be a problem. That perse should accelerate no deterioration issues of which I am aware. It is the other issues I mention below that would concern me most.

Increased humidity, elevated temperatures, and air circulation will accelerate the development of tarnish and make it worse. The moisture in humid air reacts with the silver, acting as a catalyst in the formation of silver oxide (tarnish). Of course, increased air circulation results in more air circulating over the silver, again speeding up and increasing its exposure to humidity. Idditionally, it is also found that exposure to bright light (like sunlight) will also increase the speed at which silver will tarnish.

Tarnish is also dramatically affected by air pollution, notably what are known as sulfides (sulphides). The sulfides also react with moisture, when it condenses on the silver, to help produce the tarnish. Sulfur dioxide (a sulfide produced by the burning of fossil fuels, of course) is one of those unavoidable problems that exists almost everywhere. If you live downwind of a power plant, or in an urban environment, then your silver may tarnish faster. While it is rarely possibly to control air pollution, it is, of course, always possible to control the levels of humidity in your collection's environment.

As for ways to monitor and slow down the all-important and more controllable catalyst of humidity, I would suggest, first of all investing in a digital hygrometer. This will just keep you constantly informed on the humidity levels in your collection's environment. From there, the silica beads can be used in the confined storage and/or display area to reduce the humidity. A dehumidifier can also, of course, be used to reduce the humidity levels in the area overall. Every little bit helps.

I am also a coin collector, and, using the above methods, I have managed to keep many tarnish-susceptible coins tarnish free for many years now.

Hopefully, the above information will also help you.

Chris

[Paul R.]

Hi Mil,
Chris is correct again. Don't tell anybody that he was a conservator in a past life Please us gloves when touching your rings, and keep the area free from corrosive items like non acid free boxes, or painted areas that your rings are in or poor platics products. Paul

[Military]

Chris, Paul,

thank you very much for your kind advice.
You learn something new everyday.

Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Mil

[Stahlhelm]

Chris, Paul,

thank you very much for your kind advice.
You learn something new everyday.

Many thanks.
Sincerely,
Mil

You are very welcome, Mil. I'm always glad to help.

Chris