Why Silver Tarnishes and How to Prevent It

Tarnish is the most misunderstood thing in jewellery. It is not a defect, not a sign of poor quality, and not permanent. It is simply chemistry, and once you understand it, preventing it is easy.

What tarnish actually is

Sterling silver reacts with sulphur compounds in the air, and in perfumes, cosmetics, sweat and even some foods, forming a thin darkened layer on the surface. Every sterling silver piece on earth does this eventually. Importantly, silver does not need to be worn to tarnish: it reacts with air even while sitting in a drawer.

How Aura silver fights back

Our signature 925 sterling silver pieces are finished with rhodium plating, a layer of precious metal from the platinum family that shields the silver beneath and gives that bright, mirror-white finish. Our 960 silver-germanium alloy goes a different way: it is unplated and formulated to resist tarnish far better than standard sterling, keeping its whiteness without a coating. No silver anywhere is completely tarnish-proof, but both approaches dramatically slow the process.

Five habits that prevent tarnish

Last on, first off: put jewellery on after perfume, sunscreen and lotion, and take it off before showering and sleeping. Store it sealed: an airtight pouch or the box it arrived in blocks the air exposure that drives tarnish. Keep it dry: humidity accelerates the reaction, so the bathroom counter is the worst home for silver. Wipe after wear: ten seconds with a soft cloth removes the skin oils that feed tarnish. Avoid chemicals: chlorine, bleach and hand sanitiser are silver's worst enemies.

If tarnish appears

For unplated silver, a gentle silver cloth restores brightness. For rhodium-plated pieces, use only mild soap and water, never silver polish, which can wear the plating. Our Ring Care Guide has the full method, and if plating eventually thins after years of wear, ask us about re-plating: it is routine maintenance, and we are happy to help.