How to Prevent Your Sterling Silver Jewellery From Tarnishing
Sterling silver is a timeless favourite for jewellery lovers as it is durable, long-lasting, and far more affordable than other metals like gold. However, you may find that your jewellery loses its shine over time, tarnishing on the surface to a dull grey or even black. That’s not exactly ideal when you want to flaunt your beautiful jewellery!
As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure. With proper care and storage, it’s easy to protect your sterling silver jewellery and keep it shiny and tarnish-free for longer.
What causes tarnish on sterling silver?
First, let’s clear up a common misconception: tarnish on sterling silver DOES NOT indicate poor quality. Tarnishing is completely normal – it’s caused by a natural chemical reaction between silver and sulfur-containing gases in the air. While it is impossible to completely avoid tarnishing, here are some simple steps to significantly slow down the process so you can maintain the shine on your jewellery for years to come.
Top tips to prevent tarnish:
Keep it dry: Moisture is one of the main causes of tarnish. Avoid wearing jewellery in the shower, swimming pool, spa or while exercising. Humidity, chlorine and sweat all accelerate the tarnishing process.
Make it the finishing touch: Put on your jewellery after applying makeup, moisturiser, hairspray and perfume. These products contain chemicals that speed up tarnishing.
Store it properly: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep your jewellery in ziplock bags or airtight containers to reduce exposure to air. Even better, pop in an anti-tarnish tab with your jewellery - these are excellent for absorbing and neutralising the pollutants in the air that cause tarnish. (I supply a ziplock bag with anti-tarnish tab with every piece of jewellery purchased for this very reason!)
Clean after wearing: Make it a habit to give your jewellery a quick wipe with a soft lint-free cloth after wearing to remove oil, dirt and sweat. Once clean, store it properly as mentioned above.
Wear it regularly: Fun fact: The natural oils from your skin protect your jewellery from the sulfur in the air, so wearing your sterling silver jewellery frequently actually helps to prevent tarnish! Another reason why you shouldn’t save your precious jewellery just for special occasions :)
Already tarnished? It can be fixed!
If some of your jewellery has already tarnished, don’t worry! Check out my blog post here on how to clean your sterling silver jewellery at home with a few simple household items. When it’s back to its original shiny condition, just follow the steps above to keep your jewellery looking its best in the future.
Caring for your sterling silver jewellery doesn’t have to be complicated—it just takes a little love and attention. By following these simple steps, you can wear and enjoy beautiful silver jewellery that stands the test of time.
Aurelium jewellery is designed and handmade by Laura Naik in her Christchurch studio. Read more about her work and the ethos behind her minimalist everyday jewellery here.