Why Does Silver Jewellery Tarnish, and How to Fix It

With its elegant look and accessible price, silver has been used in jewellery for centuries. Its distinctive bright white colour suits every style, but its best-known drawback is that it dulls and darkens over time. The popular question of how to get rid of tarnish on silver jewellery is closely linked to the chemistry of the metal. Tarnish alone does not mean silver is fake or poor quality; real silver tarnishes too.

Many people stop wearing tarnished pieces or think they have been damaged. But the dark layer on the surface is not a structural breakdown of the metal; it is a surface reaction. With the right care, even dull silver can be brought back to its original shine. First, though, you need to know what causes it.

The chemistry behind silver tarnish

Silver is much more reactive than gold. Sulphur compounds in the air react with silver to form a dark, dull layer called silver sulphide. Even a tiny amount of sulphur in the air is enough to make jewellery yellow and darken over time.

The 925 silver used in jewellery is not completely pure. Pure silver is too soft to make jewellery, so 75 parts per thousand of another metal, usually copper, are added. The copper in the alloy can also react with moisture and oxygen and speed up tarnishing. You can follow the current silver price on our market page.

How daily habits affect tarnish

How you wear your jewellery and what it is exposed to directly affect how quickly it tarnishes. Sweat differs from person to person, and silver worn by some people tarnishes faster. More sweating and humidity in the summer months in particular can change the colour of silver more quickly.

Cosmetics also speed up tarnish. Perfumes, deodorants, lotions and hairsprays cause reactions on the surface because of the chemicals they contain. Chlorine in pool water and salt in sea water speed up the process too. Protecting your jewellery from such contact is the first step to making it last.

How to remove tarnish from silver jewellery at home

One effective method for tarnished silver without stones is the baking soda and aluminium foil technique. Rather than scraping the tarnish off, it separates it from the surface of the silver through a chemical reaction. Start by lining a heat-resistant bowl with aluminium foil.

Place your tarnished silver on the foil so that it touches it. Sprinkle about a tablespoon of baking soda over the pieces and pour hot water into the bowl. The water fizzes when it meets the baking soda and a faint smell of sulphur may be released. Leave the jewellery in the water for about ten minutes. Then take it out, rinse it in warm water and dry it with a soft cloth. You will see that most of the tarnish has gone.

If your jewellery has stones, use the warm water and washing-up liquid method described in our guide how to clean gold jewellery. Hot water and chemical reactions can damage the adhesive holding the stones.

Mistakes to avoid when cleaning

One of the most common mistakes is trying to polish silver with toothpaste. Toothpaste contains abrasive particles. The tarnish may seem to disappear, but fine scratches form on the surface and, over time, these trap dirt and make the piece look duller.

Strong cleaning chemicals such as bleach, acetone, hydrochloric acid or ammonia should never touch silver. They can permanently damage the surface. Acidic mixtures such as lemon and salt can also wear the surface in the long run.

Tips to prevent and delay tarnish

The best way to keep silver jewellery bright is to store it properly. Silver left out in the open or in humid places, especially the bathroom, tarnishes faster. You can keep pieces you are not wearing in small resealable bags. A small piece of chalk or a silica gel sachet in the bag absorbs moisture and slows tarnishing.

Wearing silver regularly also helps keep it bright, as friction with skin and fabric wipes away the thin layer starting to form. But make it a habit to take your jewellery off for heavy work, sport and the shower. To see different designs, browse our catalogue.

Professional care and rhodium plating

Home methods work well on surface tarnish. But for pieces left for years, or with deep scratches, professional polishing at a jeweller gives better results. The thin damaged surface layer is removed and the piece is polished again.

Many silver pieces are plated with rhodium during production to delay tarnishing. Rhodium plating reduces the silver's contact with sulphur in the air and gives the piece a bright white look. A rhodium-plated silver piece can stay untarnished for a long time, but once the plating wears, it starts to tarnish again. For any questions, reach us through our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does real silver tarnish, or only fake silver?

Real silver tarnishes over time as it comes into contact with sulphur in the air. So tarnish alone is not a sign that silver is fake. A "silver" piece that never tarnishes is either rhodium plated or may be made of a different metal such as steel. For a definite answer, have a purity test done at a jeweller.

Do silver polishing cloths work?

Silver polishing cloths impregnated with a special solution are a practical tool for daily care. They remove light tarnish and clean the surface without scratching it. A cloth can be used many times until it turns completely black and stops working.

Can tarnished silver regain its original shine?

Yes. Tarnish on silver is not a deep deterioration like rust, but a thin layer on the surface. With proper cleaning or polishing at a jeweller, the piece largely regains its original shine.

Is it right to soak silver in vinegar?

Vinegar is a weak acid and can dissolve light tarnish, but it can react with the copper in the alloy. Silver left in vinegar for a long time may change colour. For pieces without stones, the baking soda and foil method is a safer choice.