Why silver jewellery tarnishes and how to fix it
Have you noticed your favourite silver ring looking a bit dull or dark?
That’s tarnish, a totally natural reaction between silver and tiny amounts of sulphur in the air (and sometimes in your skincare or even your food).
This is something almost every silver jewellery owner experiences, and it has a perfectly natural explanation.
Quick tips to keep it shining
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Store in an airtight bag with an anti-tarnish strip.
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Put jewellery on after perfume, hairspray and lotions.
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Keep it dry – remove before swimming or showers.
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Wear it often.
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Give it a regular wipe with a silver polishing cloth.
Tarnish is just a change to the surface and it can always be polished away.
Each of my gift boxes will contain an anti-tarnish tab which should help to protect your jewellery for up to six months.
What's actually happening?
Silver jewellery tarnishes because of a chemical reaction between the silver and certain substances in the air, particularly those containing sulphur.
When silver comes into contact with these, it forms a thin layer of silver sulphide on the surface.
That’s what gives silver its dull or darkened appearance.
This reaction can be triggered by:
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Sulphur in the air - found naturally in small amounts, especially in polluted areas or near the sea.
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Everyday items - such as rubber, and even some foods like eggs and onions.
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Skin contact - our natural skin oils and lotions can help speed up tarnishing.
Why does some jewellery tarnish faster?
Not all silver jewellery tarnishes at the same rate but it can be sped up by:
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Humidity - damp, humid environments make tarnish appear more quickly.
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Pollution - cities or industrial areas often have more sulphur in the air.
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Storage - jewellery kept out in the open is exposed to more tarnish-causing substances.
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Contact with perfumes, cosmetics, and skin oils.
Tarnish vs Corrosion – A Quick Clarification
Unlike corrosion in metals like iron (which can cause actual damage), tarnish is just a surface layer.
It doesn’t ruin the silver itself, and it can be polished away without harming the jewellery.
How to Keep Your Jewellery Gleaming
While you can’t completely stop tarnish, you can slow it right down with a few simple actions
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Store it - keep your jewellery in airtight bags or boxes with anti-tarnish strips.
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Keep it dry - take it off before swimming, showering, or exercising.
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Limit chemical contact - put jewellery on last, after perfume, hairspray, and lotions.
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Wear it often - believe it or not, regular wear helps slow tarnish because the friction from movement gently polishes the silver.
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Clean it regularly - use a soft polishing cloth made for silver to keep the shine.
In short
Silver tarnish is completely natural and nothing to worry about. It’s simply the metal’s way of reacting with the world around it.
With a little care, and a good polishing cloth, you can keep your silver jewellery looking bright, beautiful, and ready to wear whenever you like.