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Does sterling silver tarnish? Yes, and here is why.

Sterling silver tarnishes because it is not pure silver. The 7.5 percent copper in the alloy reacts with sulphur compounds in air, sweat, and water to form silver sulphide, which is dark and dull. Pure silver (999 fine) tarnishes far more slowly. The trade-off: pure silver is too soft to hold a ring shank or a clasp.

What makes it worse.

• High humidity. Air with more water carries more sulphur, and tarnishes faster.
• Chlorinated pools and hot tubs. Chlorine attacks the silver directly.
• Sulphur-heavy foods (eggs, onions) on your fingers when you wear rings.
• Rubber, wool, and felt. Storing pieces in a rubber-lined jewellery box will tarnish them faster than open air.
• Perfume, hairspray, and sunscreen. Apply before you put jewellery on, not after.
• Salt water. Sea salt speeds the reaction; rinse pieces in fresh water after a swim.

How to slow it.

1. Wear the piece. Daily wear rubs off surface tarnish before it sets.
2. Store in a sealed plastic bag with an anti-tarnish strip. Air out of the equation.
3. Wipe with a soft cotton cloth after each wear. Removes skin oils that speed the reaction.
4. Take rings off before washing hands with harsh soap. Sulphates in cheap hand soap accelerate tarnish.
5. Consider Argentium (935 or 960 silver alloyed with germanium) for high-humidity climates. Tarnishes far less than 925.

How to remove it.

Five methods, ranked from safest to most abrasive. Full write-up on the tarnish removal page.

1. Polishing cloth. Impregnated with a mild abrasive; safe on plain sterling, safe on stones. First choice for light tarnish.
2. Warm water and mild dish soap. Removes surface grime and light tarnish. Rinse and dry.
3. Baking soda paste (light). One part baking soda to three parts water. Rub gently with a soft cloth. Do not use on gold vermeil, pearls, or plated pieces.
4. Aluminium foil and baking soda bath. Reverses the sulphide reaction. Effective on heavy tarnish; not for stones or plated pieces.
5. Commercial silver dip. Fast, strong. Damages porous stones, pearls, and any plating. Use only as a last resort on plain sterling.

Silver that tarnishes less.

If tarnish is a deal-breaker, look at Argentium, rhodium-plated sterling, or solid gold. Full picks in the non-tarnish silver necklaces guide.

FAQ.

Does 925 sterling silver tarnish in water?

Yes, faster than in air. Water carries dissolved oxygen and sulphur, which speeds the reaction. Chlorinated pools and salt water are the worst; rinse in fresh water and dry with a soft cloth.

Why does my sterling silver ring turn my finger green?

The copper in the alloy reacts with sweat to form copper chloride, which is green. It is harmless and washes off. In humid climates it happens faster; a coat of clear nail polish on the inside of the shank slows it.

Does real silver tarnish?

Yes. All silver tarnishes eventually. Pure 999 fine silver tarnishes far more slowly than sterling because there is no copper to react. It is also too soft for most jewellery.