Yes, sterling silver tarnishes. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% copper, and both metals react with sulfur in the air, skin and everyday products. That reaction forms a dark film called silver sulfide, which is why silver slowly turns yellow, then grey, then black. Tarnish is on the surface only, and it cleans off.
Sterling silver does not rust, and it rarely harms the skin. Here is why silver turns black or green, how to clean it at home, and how to keep your Celtic silver jewelry bright.
Why Does Sterling Silver Turn Black?
Silver turns black when sulfur compounds meet the metal and form silver sulfide. Humidity speeds it up, and so do rubber bands, wool, some papers, eggs, onions, perfume, hairspray and chlorine. Jewelry stored in the open air of a bathroom tarnishes fastest. Pieces worn every day often tarnish less, because the gentle rubbing of skin and clothing polishes the surface.
Why Does Sterling Silver Turn Skin Green?
A green mark on the finger comes from the copper in sterling silver. Sweat, lotion and soap can react with the copper and leave a harmless green or black stain on the skin. It washes off with soap and water. To prevent it, keep the ring dry, put lotion on before your jewelry, and clean the inside of the band regularly.
How to Clean Sterling Silver at Home
- For light tarnish: wash in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinse and dry fully with a soft cloth.
- For everyday shine: rub gently with a jewelry polishing cloth made for silver.
- For heavy tarnish on plain silver: line a bowl with aluminum foil, add a tablespoon of baking soda and hot water, soak the piece for a few minutes, then rinse and dry. Do not use this on stones, pearls or oxidized designs.
- Avoid toothpaste, bleach and harsh scrubbing, which scratch the surface.
Oxidized Celtic Designs: Clean the High Points Only
Many Celtic knot, Claddagh and Tree of Life pieces are deliberately darkened in the recesses so the knotwork stands out. That darkening is called oxidizing, and it is part of the design. Polish only the raised surfaces with a cloth, and never soak an oxidized piece in a silver dip or baking soda bath, which removes the contrast.
Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver
Some sterling silver jewelry is plated with rhodium, a bright white metal that resists tarnish. Clean rhodium plated pieces with warm soapy water and a soft cloth only. Abrasive polishes and cloths can wear through the plating over time.
Sterling Silver Claddagh Ring, Made in Ireland — $99.99
Hallmarked at the Dublin Assay Office.
Fenian Claddagh Ring Without Crown Sterling Silver — $89.99
The Claddagh without the crown.
How to Keep Sterling Silver from Tarnishing
- Store each piece in a small airtight bag or a lined jewelry box, away from the bathroom.
- Add an anti-tarnish strip or a piece of chalk to the box to absorb moisture and sulfur.
- Put jewelry on last, after lotion, perfume and hairspray.
- Take it off to swim, shower, clean or exercise.
- Wear it often. Regular wear keeps silver brighter than a drawer does.
Can You Shower With Sterling Silver?
An occasional shower will not ruin sterling silver, but it is best to take it off. Soap leaves a dulling film, hard water spots the surface, and the moisture speeds up tarnish. Chlorine in pools and hot tubs is harsher still and can pit the metal, so always remove silver before swimming.
Sterling Silver CZ Emerald Heart Claddagh Ring — $129.99
Our best-seller, with a 6mm green heart.
Shop Sterling Silver Claddagh Rings
Classic sterling silver Claddagh rings, including rings made and hallmarked in Ireland.
See Sterling Silver Claddagh Rings →
Free U.S. shipping on orders over $250. Designing Irish jewelry since 2006.
Choosing a new piece? Read our guide to buying authentic sterling silver Celtic jewelry and learn how gold karats compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sterling silver tarnish?
Yes. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, and both react with sulfur in the air and on the skin to form a dark film called silver sulfide. Tarnish sits on the surface only. It cleans off with mild soap, water and a silver polishing cloth.
Why does sterling silver turn my finger green?
The green mark comes from the copper in sterling silver reacting with sweat, lotion or soap. It is harmless and washes off with soap and water. Keeping the ring dry, putting lotion on before jewelry and cleaning the inside of the band usually stops it.
Does sterling silver rust?
No. Rust is iron oxide, and sterling silver contains no iron, so it cannot rust. What looks like discoloration on silver is tarnish, a thin layer of silver sulfide that forms on the surface and can be cleaned away at home.
How do you clean tarnished sterling silver?
Wash it in warm water with mild dish soap, then dry and buff it with a silver polishing cloth. For heavy tarnish on plain silver, soak it briefly in hot water with baking soda in a foil-lined bowl. Never use that method on stones, pearls or oxidized Celtic designs.
Can you wear sterling silver every day?
Yes. Sterling silver is made for daily wear, and wearing it often actually slows tarnish because skin and clothing polish the surface. Take it off to swim, shower and clean, and store it in an airtight bag when you are not wearing it.
About the Author
Jennifer Derrig founded The Irish Jewelry Company in 2006. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), she designs Celtic and Irish jewelry that carries the stories, symbols and language of Ireland. Follow Jennifer on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
