Does Sterling Silver Tarnish? Care Tips for Silver Bracelets

Yes, sterling silver tarnishes. Sterling is 92.5% pure silver, and that silver slowly reacts with sulfur in the air, moisture and everyday products, which leaves a dull yellow or gray film. The good news is that tarnish is easy to prevent. Most plain .925 sterling silver is best kept out of water, but NOGU pieces are plated with 18k white gold vermeil over .925 sterling silver, so everyday splashes are nothing to worry about. Pat them dry afterwards, keep soaps and lotions off them, and store them dry in a sealed bag or case.

This guide covers what causes tarnish, when to take your jewelry off, and how to clean and store it, with NOGU bracelets as examples.

Why does sterling silver tarnish?

Pure silver is too soft for everyday jewelry, so sterling silver blends 92.5% silver with a small amount of other metals for strength. That is what the .925 stamp means. The silver content is also why it tarnishes: when silver meets sulfur compounds in the air, a thin dark layer forms on the surface. Humidity speeds the reaction up, and so do perfume, hairspray, lotion, sweat and chlorine.

Tarnish is not damage. It sits on the surface and can usually be wiped away, but the longer it builds up, the more effort it takes to remove.

The sterling silver bracelets featured in this guide, from our Firefly Glass .925 Sterling Silver collection, are built on a .925 sterling silver base with an 18k white gold vermeil finish, which adds a bright layer over the silver. The Topaz Flame Firefly Glass Bracelet is a good example: 8mm hand blown Firefly Glass beads with a polished silver accent bead on a 7.8 inch clear elastic cord. You can read more about each metal and finish on our materials page.

Can you shower or swim with sterling silver?

Most plain .925 sterling silver is best kept out of water, because moisture left sitting on bare silver speeds up tarnish. NOGU jewelry is different: our sterling silver pieces are plated with 18k white gold vermeil over a .925 sterling silver base, so they are water friendly for everyday splashes. Getting caught in the rain, rinsing your hands or a splash at the sink is fine. Just pat your jewelry dry carefully with a soft cloth afterwards and keep it dry once you take it off.

What to avoid is water mixed with products. Soap, shampoo, body wash, lotion and perfume leave a film that dulls the finish, chlorine in pools and hot tubs is harsh on silver and plating, and salt water is best skipped too. That is why we suggest taking your pieces off before a shower, a swim or a soak in the hot tub.

Darker bracelets like the Pitch Black Firefly Glass Bracelet make everyday wear easy because they go with everything. Wear yours through a rainy commute without a second thought, then slip it off before the shower and set it somewhere dry.

How do you clean tarnished sterling silver?

Start gentle and only step up if needed.

• Wipe after every wear. A soft, dry cloth removes skin oils and product residue before they turn into tarnish.
• Polish light tarnish with a non-abrasive cloth. Use small, gentle strokes on the silver parts rather than scrubbing.
• Use a .925 silver cleaner only on bare silver. For heavier tarnish on uncoated sterling, a commercial sterling silver cleaner and a polishing cloth can help. Follow the product directions closely.
• Treat plated and vermeil finishes gently. Skip dips, pastes and harsh cleaners on plated or vermeil pieces, since they can wear the finish. A soft dry cloth is all they need.

For beaded styles like the Teal Firefly Glass Bracelet, focus on the silver accent and dry the Firefly Glass beads and cord well if they get wet. There is no need to soak a beaded bracelet. If you are caring for the glow as well, our glow jewelry care guide covers charging and cleaning in more detail, and our Jewelry Cleaning and Care guide lists material by material instructions.

How should you store sterling silver so it stays shiny?

Good storage does most of the work for you. Air and humidity cause tarnish, so the goal is to limit both.

• Store it clean and dry. Wipe each piece before putting it away.
• Seal it up. An airtight container or a small zip bag slows tarnish a lot.
• Keep pieces separated. A soft pouch or a case stops bracelets and earrings from scratching each other.
• Avoid the bathroom. Steam from the shower makes it one of the most humid spots in the home.

Our Black Micro-Suede Travel Clutch is an embossed microsuede pouch that measures 9 x 13cm, a handy size for a few bracelets in your bag. For travel, the Round Jewelry Travel Case is a cruelty free vegan leather case with room to keep small pieces like the Rainbow White Mermaid Glass Stud Earrings together with your bracelets. Both ship empty and can be found in our jewelry storage collection.

Planning to stack? The Blue Seaspray Firefly Glass Bracelet pairs well with the Topaz Flame and Teal styles, and you can browse more .925 sterling silver bracelets to build your set. We offer free standard shipping over US$50 in the USA, and orders placed before 2pm EST are dispatched the same day. See our Shipping FAQs for details.

Sterling silver care FAQs

Is sterling silver waterproof?

Plain .925 sterling silver is not, and it is best kept out of water. NOGU pieces are plated with 18k white gold vermeil over .925 sterling silver, so they can handle a little water like rain or rinsing your hands. Just pat them dry carefully afterwards and store them dry. Avoid getting them wet with soap, shampoo, body wash, lotion, chlorine or salt water.

Does tarnish mean my silver is fake?

No. Tarnish is a sign of real silver. It forms when the silver in a .925 piece reacts with sulfur in the air, so genuine sterling silver will darken over time if it is not wiped and stored dry.

How often should I clean sterling silver jewelry?

Give it a quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth every time you take it off. Do a more careful polish only when you notice the shine starting to dull, rather than on a fixed schedule.

Can I use toothpaste or baking soda on sterling silver?

It is best to skip them. Gritty pastes can leave fine scratches, and they are too harsh for a plated or vermeil finish. Start with a soft, non-abrasive dry cloth instead.

What is the best way to store sterling silver?

Keep each piece clean and dry, ideally in a sealed bag or airtight container, then inside a soft pouch or case so pieces do not rub against each other. Avoid humid spots like the bathroom counter.