Hand sanitizer effect on sterling jewelry?

Jewelry Discussion
1

I was in a gallery yesterday. Inside the main entrance there was a
container of hand sanitizer on a stand with a sign that all were
encouraged and welcome to use. This is in Boston.

I read the label and learned it contained vitamin E and moisturizers
and the active ingredient was ethyl alcohol 62%.

What is the effect of a hand sanitizer coming into contact with
sterling jewelry? Could our esteemed elders with chemical backgrounds
please comment.

Thanks. Mary A

2 
What is the effect of a hand sanitizer coming into contact with
sterling jewelry?

It will kill the germs and make it greasy. You’ll probably want to
clean it.

Al Balmer
Sun City, AZ

3

Mary,

I read the label and learned it contained vitamin E and
moisturizers and the active ingredient was ethyl alcohol 62%.

Long ago I frequented bars in the southern islands selling 160 proof
rum. 62% is about 124 proof. The only damage was NOT to silver
jewellery. I don’t see any great concerns although I might not make a
world class chemist any more :slight_smile:

jeffD
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand

4 
What is the effect of a hand sanitizer coming into contact with
sterling jewelry? Could our esteemed elders with chemical
backgrounds please comment.

It will assist in killing bacteria on the jewelry, just as it does
on one’s hands…

It won’t affect the silver. If the sanitizer contains moisturizers
(about the same as hand lotion), it might leave a residue on the
item. But other than leaving a residue, it wouldn’t affect the metal.

Peter

5

There’s an alcohol free and odor free product called Hy5. Don’t know
how it works, being alcohol free, but the feel is pleasant and lack
of odor is nice.

Elaine

6

Long ago I frequented bars in the southern islands selling 160 proof
rum. 62% is about 124 proof. The only damage was NOT to silver
jewellery. I don’t see any great concerns although I might not make a
world class chemist any more :slight_smile: two different types of alcohol.
never drink hand sanitizer…

7

I never heard about such procedure but make sense.

If is just to manipulate, without having to do bench work, would be
much easier to wear cotton gloves.

But I’m also curios about the chemical reaction of that moisture,
does it neutralize the acid (or basic) hands sweat ?

Vlad R Poenaru - from sunny Brasil

www.braziliangems.org