Tarnish isn’t just cosmetic, it’s a sign of chemical reactions happening on a microscopic level, often triggered by the environment. If you've noticed your favorite silver or gold pieces darkening over time, urban pollution may be to blame. Fortunately, there’s a scientifically advanced solution that can help protect your investment in fine jewelry: Intercept Technology™, developed by Lucent Bell Labs.

The Hidden Culprits: How Pollution Causes Tarnish

Tarnish occurs when metal reacts with corrosive gases in the air. While moisture and time are factors, pollutants—especially in cities and industrial areas—are the real accelerants.

Key corrosive gases that cause tarnish:

• Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) – found near oil refineries, pulp mills, or even decaying vegetation.
  

• Carbonyl sulfide (COS) – released during fossil fuel combustion and wood fires.
  

• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) – a common urban pollutant from cars and industrial operations.
  

• Hydrogen chloride (HCl) – often near oceans or produced from combustion.
  
  

These gases react with both:

• Ferrous metals (iron and steel)
  

• Non-ferrous metals (silver, gold, copper, brass, bronze, tin, magnesium)

When exposed to polluted air, jewelry made from these materials tarnishes much faster, especially in cities or homes with poor ventilation.

Why Traditional Storage Fails And How Intercept™ Solves the Problem

Standard jewelry boxes or pouches offer little protection against airborne pollutants. Some even make things worse by trapping harmful gases inside.

That’s where Intercept Technology™ comes in.

Originally developed by Lucent Bell Labs, this breakthrough material uses solid-state reactive copper particles embedded in a polymer film to neutralize corrosive gases on contact.

Benefits of Intercept Technology™:

• Neutralizes all corrosive gases that cause tarnish and corrosion
  

• 10 years of protection per mil of material used
  

• Safe for all metals and gemstones – including sensitive ones like pearls, opals, and amber
  

• Non-abrasive and clean – won’t scratch or leave residue
  

• Works regardless of temperature or humidity
  

• Eliminates the need for charcoal inserts or VCI-based products
  

• Effective against galvanic corrosion (between dissimilar metals)
  
  

Intercept™ is ideal for protecting:

• Silver, gold, and platinum
  

• Brass, bronze, and copper
  

• Ferrous metals (like steel)
  

• Precious and delicate jewelry, even in mixed-metal designs

How to Protect Your Jewelry, Especially in Urban or Polluted Environments

If you live in a city, near industrial areas, or close to the ocean, your jewelry faces higher tarnish risk. Even frequent travelers encounter varying atmospheric conditions that accelerate corrosion.

Tips to protect your jewelry from pollution-induced tarnish:

• ✅ Store pieces in Intercept™ anti-tarnish bags or boxes
  
  

• ✅ Clean jewelry before storing — avoid storing items with sweat or lotion residue
  
  

• ✅ Keep pieces dry and away from bathrooms or kitchens
  
  

• ✅ Avoid storage in leather or cardboard boxes that may emit harmful vapors
  
  

• ✅ Rotate pieces in storage occasionally to ensure even protection

With Intercept Technology™, you're storing your jewelry while also shielding it with a material backed by science, proven in industrial settings, and trusted to keep even your most delicate pieces protected for years.

Ready to say goodbye to tarnish? Explore our range of Intercept™ anti-tarnish storage solutions and give your jewelry the protection it deserves.