Why Does Sterling Silver Turn Black? A Silversmith Explains Tarnish and How to Remove It

If you've ever opened a jewellery box and discovered your favourite sterling silver ring or necklace has turned dark or black, don't worry. This is completely normal and doesn't mean your jewellery is damaged.

As a silversmith and collector of vintage silverware, I am often asked why silver tarnishes and how to restore its shine. The good news is that tarnish is easy to remove and with a little care, your silver jewellery can look beautiful for generations.

What Is Tarnish?

Sterling silver doesn't rust like iron. Instead, it reacts with sulphur compounds in the air and forms a dark surface layer called tarnish.

Tarnish develops naturally over time and can range from a light yellow or grey colour to a dark brown or black coating.

The presence of tarnish is actually a good sign that your piece is genuine silver. Even high quality sterling silver will tarnish eventually.

Why Does Silver Tarnish?

Several factors can speed up the tarnishing process:

• Humidity

• Sweat and natural skin chemistry

• Perfumes and lotions

• Air pollution

• Household chemicals

• Improper storage

Some people also find their jewellery tarnishes faster than others due to differences in body chemistry.

Is Tarnish a Sign of Poor Quality?

No.

Many people assume tarnished silver is poor quality silver, but the opposite is often true. Genuine sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metals, usually copper. This alloy makes sterling silver strong enough for everyday wear but also allows tarnish to form over time.

Even antique sterling silver, luxury jewellery, and heirloom pieces will develop tarnish if left unpolished.

How I Remove Tarnish From Silver Jewellery

In my studio I use Sunshine® Polishing Cloths to restore shine to sterling silver jewellery and vintage silverware.

The spoon on the left shows typical silver tarnish. The spoon on the right was polished using a Sunshine® Polishing Cloth. The dark marks on the cloth are tarnish removed from the silver.

A gentle polish is usually all that is needed to bring back the bright reflective finish of sterling silver.

How to Keep Silver Jewellery Looking Its Best

Here are a few simple ways to slow down tarnish:

• Store jewellery in a dry location

• Use anti tarnish bags or strips

• Avoid exposure to perfumes, lotions, and chemicals

• Polish occasionally with a silver cloth

• Wear your jewellery regularly

Interestingly, silver that is worn often tends to tarnish less than pieces left sitting in a jewellery box for long periods.

My Favourite Silver Care Tool

I keep Sunshine® Jewellery Polishing Cloths in my studio and use them regularly on both handmade jewellery and vintage silverware.

These cloths are specially treated to remove tarnish and restore shine without the need for harsh chemicals or liquid cleaners. They are suitable for sterling silver, gold, brass, copper, and many other metals.

Sunshine® Silver Polishing Cloth | Remove Tarnish from Jewellery – TFD Jewellery, Crystals & Curios 

Sunshine® Jewellery Polishing Cloth for Silver, Gold & More

Final Thoughts

Tarnish is a natural part of owning sterling silver jewellery. It doesn't mean your jewellery is damaged, and it certainly doesn't mean it is poor quality.

With occasional care and a quality polishing cloth, your silver jewellery can remain bright and beautiful for many years to come.

As both a silversmith and collector of vintage silverware, I use Sunshine® Polishing Cloths in my own studio to keep sterling silver jewellery and antique silver looking their best.

"Looking for an easy way to remove tarnish? View our Sunshine® Jewellery Polishing Cloth for Silver, Gold & More." Sunshine® Silver Polishing Cloth | Remove Tarnish from Jewellery – TFD Jewellery, Crystals & Curios