Tarnish dulls even your most treasured jewellery. Learn simple, sustainable ways to prevent it, clean your pieces safely, and keep your rings, bracelets, and necklaces shining like new — with care tips from Silver Hollow Jewellery.
Why Does Jewellery Tarnish?
In short: Tarnish happens when metals react with oxygen, moisture, or certain chemicals.
Let’s look closer: Silver reacts with sulfur compounds, forming dark silver sulfide. Gold-plated jewellery dulls as the thin plating wears, exposing base metals. Brass and copper oxidize naturally over time. Humidity, sweat, lotions, perfumes, and cleaning chemicals accelerate the process.
How to Prevent Jewellery from Tarnishing
In short: Keep metals dry, clean, and stored correctly to preserve their shine.
Here is a more detailed break down:
1. Store in a Dry Place
- Use velvet pouches or airtight containers. Encolsing your jewellery keeps it away from moisture in the air.
- Avoid humid bathrooms or basements. These places will often accelerate the process of tarnishing. Look to keep your jewellery in rooms that are dry and ideally stay at a normal room temperature.
2. Keep Jewellery Away from Chemicals
- Remove rings, bracelets, and necklaces before applying lotions, perfumes, or cleaning products.
- Avoid chlorinated or salty water exposure.
3. Wear Your Jewellery Regularly
Oils from your skin form a natural protective layer on silver, helping to prevent tarnish. Wearing your pieces more often will therefore be more benefitial than letting them sit untouched.
4. Use Gentle Protective Barriers
Clear jewellery-safe polymer coatings or clear nail polish on plated or copper pieces reduce air and moisture exposure.
5. Rotate Pieces
Give your jewellery breaks between wears to reduce the build-up of sweat, oils, and residue. This doesnt mean you cant keep wearing the jewellery you love, it just means its probably best to not wear it 24/7 all week! Have a look at some of our fan favourites in our best sellers category!
How to Clean Tarnished Jewellery Naturally
In short: Gentle cleaning keeps your metals glowing without harsh chemicals.
Here is a full guide for a good cleaning process:
- Mix mild soap with warm water and soak briefly.
- Gently rub with a soft cloth or brush.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
- For silver, use a baking soda paste for stubborn tarnish.
- Avoid harsh chemicals or acetone, which can damage plating or delicate stones.
FAQs
Does tarnish mean my jewellery is low quality?
No — tarnish is a natural chemical reaction and can happen on high-quality metals.
Can I prevent tarnish completely?
You can reduce it significantly with proper storage, cleaning, and wearing habits, but total prevention isn’t always possible due to environmental factors.
How often should I clean my jewellery?
Light cleaning after each wear and deeper cleaning monthly or as needed keeps your pieces looking fresh.
Are there sustainable ways to clean jewellery?
Yes — use mild soap, baking soda, soft cloths, and avoid harsh chemical cleaners.
Conclusion
Tarnish is natural, but mindful care keeps your jewellery shining for years. Store pieces properly, keep metals dry, wear thoughtfully, and clean gently. Silver Hollow Jewellery’s sustainable, nature-inspired pieces are designed for beauty and longevity, helping you wear your jewellery with confidence every day.