Sterling silver darkens over time. That is not a defect and it is not a sign of poor quality: silver reacts with sulphur in the air, in water, in perfume and even in your own skin. The dark layer is called tarnish, and it comes off.
The everyday method: warm water and soap
Nine times out of ten this is enough. Add a drop of washing-up liquid to warm (not hot) water, leave the ring in it for ten minutes, then brush it gently with a soft toothbrush. Pay attention to the engraved parts — tarnish collects in the grooves. Rinse and dry it completely with a soft cloth. Water left on silver causes new spots.
Stubborn tarnish: baking soda
Make a paste from baking soda and a little water, spread it on the silver with your finger, wait a minute, then rub gently and rinse. Do not use this on a ring with a stone — the paste is mildly abrasive and can dull soft stones.
The fastest way: a silver polishing cloth
A treated polishing cloth removes light tarnish in seconds and leaves a protective layer behind. Every jeweller sells them, they cost very little, and they are the safest option for rings with stones.
What never to do
- No bleach, no chlorine. It attacks silver permanently.
- Do not wear silver in a swimming pool or a thermal spring. Chlorine and sulphur are the two fastest ways to ruin a finish.
- Take rings off before cleaning the house — detergents are harsher than you think.
- Perfume and hairspray go on first, jewellery second.
- Do not scrub an oxidised ring hard. Many of our rings are deliberately darkened in the recesses to bring out the pattern; heavy polishing removes that shading and flattens the design.
Caring for natural stones
Turquoise, amber, coral and opal are porous. They do not like soapy water, ultrasonic cleaners or heat. Wipe them with a barely damp cloth and dry them at once. Harder stones — agate, onyx, garnet, sapphire — tolerate a gentle wash without trouble.
Where to keep it
Air is what tarnishes silver, so store rings in a closed pouch or a small zip bag when you are not wearing them, ideally with a strip of chalk or a silica sachet to absorb humidity. A ring that is worn often tarnishes far less than one that sits in a drawer — the friction of daily wear keeps it bright.
Our rings are solid 925 sterling silver, hallmarked and handmade in our own workshop. If a piece of yours has gone very dark and you would like it refreshed, message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we would do with it.