Why Does Silver Tarnish (and How to Prevent It)?
If your silver jewellery has gone dull, yellowish or grey, it hasn't been damaged — it's tarnished, and tarnish is normal, harmless and completely reversible. Understanding why it happens makes it easy to slow down. Here's what causes silver to tarnish and how to prevent it.
Why silver tarnishes
Tarnish is a surface reaction. 925 sterling silver is 92.5% silver mixed with copper, and the copper reacts with sulphur compounds and moisture in the air to form a thin dark film. Pure silver barely tarnishes, but it's too soft for jewellery — the copper that makes silver wearable is also what makes it tarnish. So a little tarnish is simply the sign of real sterling silver.
What speeds it up
- Humidity and moisture — bathrooms are the worst place to store silver.
- Skin contact with lotions, perfume and sweat — chemicals and salts accelerate the reaction.
- Sulphur sources — rubber bands, certain papers, wool, even some foods (eggs, onions).
- Sitting unused. Silver worn regularly tarnishes slowly, because movement and skin oils keep the surface bright. Pieces left in a drawer dull fastest.
How to prevent tarnish
Store it airtight and dry. The single most effective step. Keep silver in a sealed bag or a lined jewellery box, away from bathroom humidity. An anti-tarnish strip in the bag or box absorbs the compounds that cause tarnish and works remarkably well.
Keep pieces separate. Individual pouches stop pieces scratching each other and reduce exposure.
Put jewellery on last. Perfume, hairspray and lotion should go on before your jewellery, not after — so the chemicals don't sit on the silver.
Take it off for water. Remove silver before showering, swimming (chlorine is harsh) and washing up.
Wipe after wear. A quick buff with a soft or silver-polishing cloth removes oils and slows tarnish before it builds.
When tarnish does appear
Don't worry — it cleans off easily. A polishing cloth handles light tarnish; the foil-and-baking-soda method tackles heavier build-up. Full instructions are in our guide to cleaning sterling silver at home.
A note on plated and oxidised pieces
Gold vermeil and gold-plated jewellery tarnish differently — the gold layer resists tarnish, but wears thin over time with abrasion, so gentle care matters (see what gold vermeil is). Oxidised silver is deliberately darkened for effect, so you actually want to preserve that finish rather than polish it away.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my silver tarnish so quickly? Usually humidity, skin chemicals or storage near sulphur sources. Store it airtight and dry with an anti-tarnish strip, and put it on after perfume and lotion.
Does real silver tarnish? Yes — tarnishing is normal for sterling silver and a sign it's genuine. The copper in 925 silver reacts with the air; it cleans off easily and doesn't harm the piece.
Does wearing silver often keep it from tarnishing? Generally yes — regular wear and skin oils keep the surface bright. Pieces left unworn in humid conditions tarnish fastest.
Made to last
Browse our handmade sterling silver jewellery — pieces designed to be worn every day and to stay beautiful with simple care.