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Why does silver turn black, and what can you do about it?
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Have you taken a silver ring or necklace out of the drawer and found it has turned yellowish, grey or completely black? It's perfectly normal, and it doesn't mean the jewelry is poor quality. It's called tarnish. Here we explain why it happens and how to gently bring back the shine.
Contents
- What is tarnish?
- What makes silver tarnish faster?
- How to make silver shine again
- What to avoid
- How to prevent tarnish
- When to get help
- Frequently asked questions
What is tarnish?
When silver darkens, it's because of a chemical reaction between the silver and sulfur, which is present in small amounts in the air. Together they form a thin layer of silver sulfide on the surface, and that layer is what looks yellow, grey or black.
So tarnish isn't dirt and it isn't rust. It's a completely natural sign that the jewelry is made of real silver. Sterling silver, which is 92.5% silver, tarnishes for exactly that reason, while cheap metals with a silver-colored surface often behave quite differently. Read more about 925 silver.
The good news is that tarnish only sits on the surface and can usually be removed.
What makes silver tarnish faster?
- Moisture and air. Silver left out in a humid room such as the bathroom tarnishes faster.
- Cosmetics. Perfume, lotion, hairspray and make-up can speed up the reaction.
- Materials containing sulfur. Rubber, wool, some types of cardboard and paper, and foods such as eggs and onions contain sulfur.
- Sweat and skin pH. For some people, silver tarnishes faster because of their skin chemistry.
- Chlorine and seawater. Swimming pools and the sea are hard on silver.
Surprisingly, silver you wear often tarnishes more slowly than silver left in a drawer. The light polishing effect of skin and clothing keeps the surface bright.
How to make silver shine again
Plain silver without stones
The gentlest method is a silver polishing cloth. Rub lightly in long strokes, and turn the cloth often as it gets dark. The cloth removes tarnish without scratching the silver.
If the piece is also dirty, you can rinse it in lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, pat it dry with a soft cloth and then polish it.
Gold-plated jewelry
Gold-plated jewelry needs extra care because the gold layer is thin. Only use a soft, dry cloth and never silver polish, as it can wear away the plating. Read more about gold-plated silver.
Jewelry with pearls and stones
Pearls and stones must not come into contact with polishing products or be soaked in water. Polish only the metal, gently, with a soft cloth, and wipe pearls with a slightly damp cloth. See also our guides to baroque pearls and cubic zirconia.
What to avoid
- Silver dip and polishing liquids. They're effective but harsh. They can damage gold plating, pearls and stones and leave a dull surface.
- Ultrasonic cleaners. The vibrations can loosen stones and damage pearls and plating.
- Home remedies with toothpaste, baking soda or foil. They're all over the internet, but they can scratch silver or damage stones and plating. Stick to a soft cloth.
- Paper towels and rough cloths. They can leave tiny scratches on a polished surface.
How to prevent tarnish
- Store your jewelry airtight. A small zip-lock bag or an anti-tarnish jewelry box slows the reaction considerably.
- Keep it dry. Avoid storing jewelry in the bathroom.
- Last on, first off. Put your jewelry on once perfume and lotion have dried, and take it off before showering, exercising and cleaning.
- Wear it. Jewelry that's worn often tarnishes more slowly.
- Polish regularly. A quick wipe with a polishing cloth now and then stops tarnish from becoming dark and hard to remove.
You'll find all our care tips in the guide to jewelry care.
When to get help
You can bring most tarnished jewelry back to life yourself. But in some situations it's wise to ask a goldsmith for help:
- Very dark tarnish that has built up over time, especially in small recesses and patterns the cloth can't reach.
- Jewelry with many stones or pearls, where you're worried about damaging them.
- Gold-plated jewelry where the gold has worn and the silver underneath has started to tarnish. A goldsmith can re-plate the piece.
- Loose stones or bent parts that need repairing before the piece is worn again.
Tarnish, skin discoloration or wear?
Three things are often confused:
| What do you see? | What should you do? | |
|---|---|---|
| Tarnish | The jewelry turns yellow, grey or black | Polish with a silver polishing cloth |
| Skin discoloration | The skin under the jewelry turns slightly green or grey | Wash your skin with soap and water. It's harmless |
| Worn plating | The gold becomes thin and the silver shows through | Have the piece re-plated by a goldsmith |
Skin discoloration happens because the copper in sterling silver can react with the acids in your skin or with lotion. It says nothing about the quality of the jewelry. Read more about the metals in our guide to 925 silver.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a sign of poor quality when silver turns black?
No. Tarnish is a natural reaction between silver and sulfur in the air, and it's actually a sign that the jewelry is real silver.
How quickly does silver tarnish?
It depends on humidity, storage and wear. Silver stored dry and airtight can stay bright for a long time.
Can black tarnish be removed from silver?
Yes. Tarnish can usually be removed with a silver polishing cloth. For jewelry with gold plating, pearls or stones, only use a soft, dry cloth.
Does gold-plated silver turn black too?
The gold layer protects the silver, so gold-plated jewelry tarnishes less often. Once the plating wears, however, the silver underneath can start to tarnish.