How to Care for Sterling Silver Jewelry (And Why Wearing It Is the Best Care)
One of the most common questions I get is some version of: how do I keep my sterling silver from tarnishing?
The honest answer surprises most people: wear it more.
Sterling silver tarnishes when it oxidizes — when the copper in the alloy reacts with sulfur compounds in the air. Tarnish is not damage. It's a natural chemical process, and it's entirely reversible. But here's what most people don't realize: the oils in your skin slow oxidation significantly. The ring you wear every day will almost always look brighter than the one you leave in a jewelry box.
Your body is doing the maintenance for you.
What is sterling silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy — 92.5% pure silver, 7.5% copper. Pure silver (fine silver) is too soft for most jewelry applications, so the copper is added for durability. That copper is also what causes tarnishing, since pure silver is actually quite resistant to oxidation on its own.
The 925 hallmark you sometimes see on sterling silver refers to this ratio — 925 parts per thousand of pure silver.
Why tarnish happens and what it looks like
Tarnish appears as a darkening of the metal — first a light yellow, then gold, then a deeper brown, eventually darkening to near-black if left untreated for a long time. It tends to happen faster in humid environments, near pools or hot springs (sulfur compounds accelerate oxidation significantly), or when jewelry is stored in open air.
Some jewelers, including me, intentionally use oxidized silver as a design element — the darkened metal in recessed areas creates contrast and depth that highlights texture. That oxidation is intentional and part of the piece.
How to clean sterling silver
For light tarnish: a soft polishing cloth — or even a soft cotton t-shirt — buffed gently over the surface will restore shine immediately. No products, no chemicals, no water needed.
For heavier tarnish: a small amount of mild dish soap and warm water on a soft cloth, rubbed gently and then rinsed and dried thoroughly. The key is drying completely — water left in crevices or under stones can cause problems over time.
What to avoid: ultrasonic cleaners, silver dip solutions, and abrasive cleaners. These can damage natural stones, strip intentional oxidation, and scratch surfaces.
Caring for natural stone pieces specifically
Natural stones like turquoise, variscite, opal, and fossilized coral are relatively soft and porous compared to harder gems like sapphire or diamond. This means a few additional considerations.
Do not submerge stone pieces in water. A quick rinse is fine; soaking is not. Water can penetrate porous stones and, over time, affect their color or cause instability in the setting.
Avoid prolonged direct sunlight. UV exposure can fade some natural stones over time — particularly turquoise and opal.
Wipe stones gently with a dry or barely damp soft cloth if they get dirty.
Avoid harsh chemicals entirely — perfume, hairspray, sunscreen, cleaning products. Put your jewelry on last when getting ready, after everything else has been applied and dried.
Storage
The single most effective thing you can do to prevent tarnish when you're not wearing your jewelry is store it in a sealed environment. A small zip-lock bag, a sealed pouch, or a jewelry box with a lid all significantly slow oxidation.
Anti-tarnish strips — small paper tabs infused with tarnish-absorbing compounds — can be kept in your jewelry box and replaced every few months.
Keep pieces separated to prevent scratching.
The real secret
The best thing you can do for your sterling silver jewelry is wear it. Daily wear keeps the metal bright, keeps the stones used to body temperature and humidity, and keeps you connected to the piece you invested in.
Jewelry is meant to be worn. Not stored. Not saved for special occasions. Worn, every day, until it becomes part of how you move through the world.
That's what I make it for.
Jessica Foreman is the maker behind Natural Earth Collective, a handcrafted jewelry studio in Ohio specializing in sterling silver and natural stones sourced directly from sustainable miners and lapidary artists.