At Prism and Pearl we work with sterling silver on a daily basis. All our GRA certified moissanite pieces use 925 sterling silver and platinum finishes. Silver gives a cool white look, ideal for daily wear in Australia. Plus, it’s affordable for such a lightweight item. We're based in Sydney NSW and we are very aware of day-to-day conditions - namely the coastal humidity, summers of sunscreen and active lifestyles of putting your jewellery on last after perfume.
Tarnish. It's question number one from our silver jewellery owners. Tarnish is NOT a fault; your piece is NOT bad quality; it is simply chemistry. This guide will bring you the down-to-earth science, cleaning habits which actually work in an Australian environment and ways to safely remove tarnish that won't harm your precious stones.
Quick Answer
How Do You Stop Sterling Silver Jewellery From Tarnishing?
To prevent your sterling silver jewellery from tarnishing, you need to reduce its exposure to air, moisture and sulphur. Keep the pieces in airtight anti-tarnish bags, wipe them clean each time after wearing, avoid contact with perfume, lotion and chlorine and wash them with warm water and mild soap. Wear your jewellery often.
Why Does Sterling Silver Jewellery Tarnish?
Sterling silver is not pure silver; it is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other, more stable metals, generally copper. Pure silver is 99.9% and too soft for rings or chains to wear effectively. The reason why copper is added to jewellery is for structural purposes, although this is also responsible for tarnish.
Tarnish forms when silver reacts with hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). This sulphur compound is common in air pollution. The result is silver sulphide. It is the silver sulphide that is a black coating that occurs on silver jewellery.
Silver doesn’t react with oxygen by itself. Instead, silver likes sulphur more than oxygen. That’s why hydrogen sulphide causes tarnish. This is a natural reaction and occurs more readily in humid and warm environments; it is ideal for conditions over the vast Australian coast.
What Causes Silver Jewellery To Tarnish Faster?
Knowing the accelerators makes you able to avoid them. According to both gemmological studies and our workshop observations, these are the primary accelerators:
Humidity
The air moisture takes sulphur molecules to the metal surface. In a very humid environment, the silver jewellery tarnishes faster; hence, the recommendation to keep silver in cool, dry places. Sydney summers or Queensland humidity conditions represent the typical examples.
Sweat
Sweat has salts and compounds of sulphur, and if you wear your silver ring to the gym or in a hot commute to work, it's sure to tarnish much more quickly. The oils on your skin can quicken the process of oxidation.
Perfume
According to the Gemological Institute of America, all types of chemicals in hairspray, lotion, and perfume come into contact with jewellery on a daily basis and can cause real damage to precious metals. Always spray perfume and then let it dry thoroughly before placing any jewellery on.
Lotions
Sunscreen, moisturiser and hand cream create a film which holds moisture against the silver and causes tarnish. Rings and bracelets worn with SPF and moisturiser every day in Australia become a significant problem.
Household Chemicals
Household Chemicals: Gold, silver and platinum are easily damaged or stained by chemicals. Chlorine bleaches cause pitting in alloys, and the chlorine from a swimming pool speeds up oxidation. Clean all silver prior to swimming or washing.
Air Pollution
A city atmosphere with vehicles or in a developed area contains a high concentration of hydrogen sulphide. A study on the process of oxidation of sterling silver shows that a number of corroding agents create distinct corrosion layers. Left sitting uncovered on the bathroom bench all day doesn't really help.
Can Tarnished Silver Be Restored?
Yes. Tarnish lies on the surface – it will not corrode sterling silver. Minor tarnish will wipe off with a polishing cloth. More significant tarnish will yield to more natural cleaning techniques – warm, soapy water, and the reaction of baking soda and aluminium foil can remove silver sulphide without the abrasive use of polishing.
Tarnish should be removed quickly, as it can cause permanent pitting and discolouration. The longer it stays, the worse the damage can get.
10 Practical Ways To Prevent Sterling Silver Jewellery From Tarnishing
Here are the methods we recommend for customers here in Australia. These methods apply to plain silver and to our designs set with moissanites.
- Wipe after wearing. The fastest way to slow down tarnishing is with a 30 second routine after every time you wear your piece, to buff it dry of moisture with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Store in an anti-tarnish bag. The GIA recommends that all sterling silver jewellery be stored in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth; this is why we include one with every order of a Prism or Pearl.
- Keep it airtight. We highly recommend storing your jewellery in zip-lock bags, pressed for air. You can insert an anti-tarnish strip or a silica gel packet for further absorption of moisture, which is how many jewellers will store their pieces.
- Put jewellery on last. Hair spray, perfume, makeup, sunscreen – these all dry with chemicals that will erode your silver; make sure everything is dry and put your silver on last.
- Remove for wet jobs. Don't wear rings and bracelets when having a shower, swimming, doing the dishes, or when at the gym. Despite many newer silver pieces being marketed as "waterproof", you will want to remove most silver jewellery when swimming or working out.
- Wear it often. This might come as a shock to some but daily wear can actually help slow the tarnishing process of your jewellery. Natural skin oils help keep your silver bright and shiny. Silver jewellery stored in a box tarnishes faster than jewellery worn weekly.
- Keep storage separate. NEVER store your silver jewellery in the same drawer as your other jewellery. Tossing jewellery into the same drawer will cause scratching and increase the amount of exposure the silver is exposed to. Use individually padded drawer slots or separate jewellery pouches.
- Control humidity. During humid months in coastal New South Wales or Queensland, utilise a dehumidifier in your closet or store silver jewellery along with desiccants during summer. It is extremely important to keep storage areas cool and dry.
- Clean lightly and frequently. A light polish helps prevent too much tarnish buildup, and different levels of tarnish require different cleaning techniques; thus, light cleaning helps you avoid the need for aggressive polishing and cleaning.
- Select plating quality when applicable. For some of our jewellery items, we have applied a rhodium or platinum plating over sterling silver. Rhodium or platinum forms a layer over sterling silver. This layer stops copper and sulphur from reacting. It also keeps your jewellery bright and white.
This is part of the reason that our best affordable luxury jewellery pieces for women will maintain their lustre even when worn daily.
The Best Way To Store Silver Jewellery
| Storage Method | Protection Level | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-tarnish pouch with zip lock | High – blocks air and moisture | Yes – our standard recommendation |
| Original Prism and Pearl box with lid closed | Medium-High – good for daily rotation | Yes |
| Open jewellery stand or dish | Low – maximum air exposure | No |
| Bathroom drawer or humid area | Very Low – humidity accelerates tarnish | No |
| Plastic zip bag + silica gel + anti-tarnish strip | Very High – best for long-term | Yes for heirlooms |
| Velvet jewellery box without lining | Medium – protects scratches but not air | Use with pouch inside |
GIA agrees; people tend to forget jewellery storage. Sterling silver should be stored in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth and should not be dumped into a drawer.
Recommended Sterling Silver Jewellery From Prism and Pearl
Our sterling silver jewellery fits the everyday Australian lifestyle. It’s perfect for work, weekend fun, or nights out. Let's take a look at three best-selling items from our sterling silver collection and demonstrate how proper care benefits:
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Mila Linked Heart Bezel Necklace 0.20 CT ($185.90). The bezel setting protects the moissanite edges, and the platinum-finish sterling silver chain resists daily moisture. Wipe the chain weekly and store flat to avoid kinks.
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Clara Pavé Line Hoops 19mm ($218.90). Hoops sit close to skin, hair products and perfume. The pavé line catches light beautifully but needs gentle brushing around stones, not harsh dips.
- Seraphina 5 Stone Bezel Ring 3mm ($196.90). A daily-wear ring that benefits from being worn often. The oils from regular wear help maintain brightness, while the bezel cups keep stones secure during gentle cleaning.
Each piece arrives in our anti-tarnish pouch because, as GIA states, sterling silver should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth.
See our full Jewellery Care and Cleaning Guide for step-by-step videos.
Final Thoughts
Tarnish is never a defect with your silver jewellery but a sign that you own true 925 sterling silver. It is the copper in the silver that is its strength that reacts with sulphur in the air, creating that dark silver sulphide layer. In humid Australia, care really is more about how you store your jewellery rather than a particular product. Always store your jewellery dry, wipe it after you have worn it, and try to avoid contact with chemicals.
At Prism and Pearl we craft pieces that can be enjoyed every day. Your silver will remain bright and white for many years with the correct care, and even once it darkens, it will return to a light sheen with a simple clean.
FAQs
Does wearing silver daily prevent tarnishing?
Often. Everyday use may hinder tarnishing, as natural skin oils can help form a light layer on the surface of your jewellery. Unused jewellery in humid conditions tarnishes quicker than jewellery worn weekly with polishing after use.
Can toothpaste clean silver jewellery?
No, Toothpaste will abrade the silver, causing micro-grooves where tarnish will build up more quickly. Instead use warm water with mild dish soap and a soft cloth. This is GIA's cleaning instruction.
Is tarnish permanent?
No, this tarnish is not corrosion that will ruin the silver, just a coating of silver sulphide. Light tarnish will wipe away, while the heavier kind may be lifted off by means of home remedies or polishing professionally; do not leave it to get worse.
How should silver be stored?
Store pieces in a cool, dry place in a tarnish-proof bag or cloth wrapped inside a sealed pouch. During humid months silica gel may be added and pieces should be individually wrapped to prevent scratching; storage in bathrooms should be avoided at all times.
Can water damage sterling silver?
Not to ruin your silver but plain water is not likely to damage it. Moisture can be bad in large quantities. Chlorinated pools, saltwater pools and hot tubs are all very bad. Take your silver off before you swim or shower, and be sure to dry your silver well after all water activities.
