How to prevent your jewellery from tarnishing

What is tarnish and why does it happen?

Tarnish gives the surface of your jewellery a dull, grey finish, particularly around highly used areas such as a necklace chain or on the backs of your earrings. ‘It’s natural for jewellery to tarnish slightly in reaction to natural moisture in the skin and exposure to the air,’ explains Lianna.

This chemical reaction, also known as oxidation, causes the outer layer of your jewellery to corrode and discolour. Everyday activities can cause tarnishing, such as wearing perfume or washing our hands. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to keep this from happening.

Are some metals more likely to tarnish?

Costume jewellery may be more vulnerable to tarnishing over time as it is often made from brass, which contains copper. The copper oxidises with the air and leads to discolouring. This is natural and not due to the quality of the jewellery.

‘Sterling silver jewellery or silver 925 is a high-quality metal made of 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% other metals – usually copper or zinc.’ explains Lianna. The small amount of copper is what causes silver jewellery to tarnish. However, as it’s almost pure silver, it doesn’t rust and will last a long time if cleaned and cared for well.

‘Our gold jewellery is coated in approximately 1 micron (layer) of 10k gold plate on a brass base,’ Lianna explains. The plated layer will inevitably wear away over time with day-to-day use, which can expose the brass base and cause the metal to tarnish. ‘We add a protective e-coat on gold-plated designs, which will help preserve the colour of the plating and extend the life of your gold earrings, hoops and necklaces.’

How can you prevent jewellery from tarnishing?

1. Keep it dry

Make sure you remove your jewellery every time you wash, swim or exercise, as exposure to moisture can lead to tarnishing. Try storing your jewellery in a travel jewellery box – these are the perfect size for slipping in your gym bag, and they have separate compartments to keep your styles organised.

2. Be careful with creams

Our hands are constantly being exposed to fragrance and chemicals. Everytime you santisise your hands or apply a generous layer of hand cream, you need to be removing your jewellery. ‘Avoid exposure to soaps, sprays and creams such as body lotion or SPF, as well as hand sanitiser,’ recommends Lianna. It might seem like a pain, but your rings will thank you.

3. Let your perfume dry

Wait a few minutes for body creams and perfumes to dry before you accessorise. ‘Perfumes tend to contain essential oils and alcohol, which can be particularly damaging to jewellery, so bear this in mind if you’re topping up throughout the day,’ advises Rebecca.

4. Wear gloves when cleaning

Whether you’re doing a spring clean or quickly wiping the surfaces, jewellery and cleaning chemicals should not mix. Remove your jewellery or wear rubber gloves to minimise the risk of tarnishing.

How to clean tarnished jewellery

‘It is possible to bring tarnished styles back to life with a careful clean and polish, but it may need a few attempts,’ explains Rebecca. For more advice, including tips on how to clean gold and silver jewellery, have a look at our jewellery care guide.

‘If you are unable to clean your jewellery at home, or you’re worried about damaging it, a specialist jeweller will be able to help,’ recommends Rebecca. Ask a jeweller in your local area for advice.

How to store your jewellery to prevent tarnishing

Keeping your jewellery in its best condition starts with storage,’ says Lianna. ‘Store your jewellery in a clean, dry place, such as in a sealed plastic bag or a jewellery box, to avoid it getting scratched by other jewellery.’ All Oliver Bonas jewellery pieces come in a soft pouch that can be handy when travelling, or, if you have long chains, jewellery stands are great for preventing knots and tangles.