You buy that stunning silver jewelry piece with absolute joy—its glow, its elegance, its perfect sparkle. But after a while, you notice something different. The shine fades, and a dull, sometimes dark layer appears. Is it fake silver? Poor quality? Not at all.
In fact, this is completely normal for real silver, especially 925 sterling silver, which is made of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Sterling silver is known for its strength and beauty, but it does come with a natural challenge—tarnishing.
Why Does Silver Tarnish?
Silver reacts with various elements in the air, and one of the biggest culprits is a gas called hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). It’s present in the atmosphere in small amounts and can also be found in materials like wool, rubber, certain foods, and even on your skin. When silver comes into contact with H₂S, it forms silver sulfide (Ag₂S)—a black or dark brown compound that dulls your jewelry’s surface.
This reaction is completely natural, even with high-quality, authentic silver. But while tarnishing can’t be stopped entirely, the good news is that it can be slowed down—and even reversed—with a little care and the right technique.