We love the look and durability of our sterling silver jewelry, and we love the price too! But the downside is that it can tarnish, leaving black, brown, or even greenish streaks on the metal and sometimes on your skin.
If you just noticed your favorite medal or crucifix turning dark, take a breath. Nothing is wrong with your jewelry. Tarnish is a natural chemical reaction, it is not a manufacturing defect, and in almost every case it can be cleaned away in a few minutes. Here is what is actually happening and how to slow it down.
What Sterling Silver Is Made Of
To understand why sterling silver tarnishes, it helps to know what it is. Sterling silver is an alloy, meaning the silver is mixed with other metals. Our sterling silver is stamped with a genuine .925 mark, which guarantees the piece is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper (or sometimes nickel or zinc). That small amount of copper is added on purpose. Pure silver is too soft for everyday jewelry, and the copper gives the metal the strength to hold detailed engraving on a Miraculous Medal or the fine corpus on a crucifix.
Why Sterling Silver Turns Black
We can't stop nature. When silver is exposed to air, moisture, and trace amounts of sulfur in the environment, a chemical reaction takes place on the surface of the metal. The result is a thin layer of silver sulfide, and that layer is what you see as tarnish. It often starts as a dull yellow haze, then deepens to brown and finally black.
Your own body chemistry plays a role too. Skin oils, perspiration, and even certain medications can speed up the reaction. That is why the same pendant can stay bright on one person and darken quickly on another.
Did you know? Catholic Faith Store sterling silver jewelry is protected with a lacquer finish, and some of our pieces are protected with a rhodium finish. This slows tarnishing considerably, though no finish stops it completely.
Is Tarnish a Defect?
No. This is the question we hear most often, so we want to be clear: tarnishing and finish wear are normal characteristics of silver and of all plated metals. They are not considered manufacturing defects by any jewelry maker, including our American manufacturing partners who have been producing religious jewelry for generations. Proper care and storage are the best ways to preserve the beauty of your piece.
Everyday Things That Speed Up Tarnishing
Here is a list of common items and conditions that react with sterling silver and accelerate tarnish:
- Humidity
- Air pollution
- Ammonia and household cleaners
- Chlorinated water (pools, hot tubs, some tap water)
- Perfumes, lotions, sunscreen, hairspray, and makeup
- Foods such as onions, eggs, and salty dishes
- Latex gloves and rubber bands
- Wool
- Oils and perspiration from your hands and skin
- Certain medications, especially those containing sulfur or zinc compounds
How to Slow Tarnishing Down
You cannot prevent tarnish entirely, but a few simple habits will keep your jewelry bright far longer:
- Store your sterling silver in a cool, dry place, ideally in an airtight bag or box to keep out air and humidity
- Store pieces separately so they do not scratch one another
- Make your jewelry the last thing you put on. Apply lotions, perfume, and hairspray first, then your medal or chain
- Remove your jewelry before bathing, swimming, exercising, or sleeping
- Wipe your jewelry with a soft cloth after each wear to remove skin oils
We hope this helps you see that tarnish is simply the nature of sterling silver. With a little cleaning and proper storage, a sterling silver medal can last a lifetime and become an heirloom passed down through your family.
For step-by-step cleaning instructions, read our article 5 Easy to Follow Steps for Cleaning Your Sterling Silver Jewelry.
If you are wondering how sterling silver compares to other metals we carry, see Which is Best, Pewter or Sterling Silver Jewelry?
God bless,
Rich and Caroline King
Catholic Faith Store
