Gold gets a lot of attention, but my sister and I have a soft spot for sterling silver. It is bright, easy to wear with almost anything, and it lasts for years with very little fuss. It does need a bit of care, though, and we get the same questions about it all the time. What does 925 mean? Why did my silver turn dark? Can I wear it in the shower? Here is what we tell our customers and our friends.
What is sterling silver?
Pure silver, often called fine silver, is a soft metal. It is lovely, but it bends and scratches too easily for most jewelry. To make it stronger, jewelers mix it with a small amount of other metal, usually copper. The standard blend is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal, which is why sterling silver is stamped 925. You may also see it written as s925 or 925 silver. They all mean the same thing.
All of the silver jewelry we sell is 925 sterling silver. It is nickel-free, which is one reason silver is a good choice for sensitive ears and skin.
Why does silver tarnish?
If your silver has gone yellowish, gray or dark over time, nothing is wrong with it. Tarnish is a normal reaction between the copper in sterling silver and the air, especially sulfur, humidity and everyday chemicals like lotion or perfume. Pieces that sit in a drawer for months often tarnish faster than pieces you wear every day, because the gentle rubbing against your skin and clothes keeps the surface clean.
The good news is that tarnish sits on the surface. The silver underneath is not damaged, and it cleans off.
How to clean sterling silver
- Light tarnish: rub the piece with a silver polishing cloth. This handles most everyday dullness in a minute or two.
- Dirt and buildup: soak the piece for a few minutes in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, then use a very soft brush (a baby toothbrush works well) to get into chain links and details. Rinse, then dry it completely with a soft cloth.
- Heavier tarnish: a silver cleaner or polish made for jewelry will bring it back. Follow the directions and rinse well afterward.
Skip toothpaste, baking soda pastes and paper towels. They are more abrasive than they seem and can leave fine scratches. If a piece has pearls, glass or stones, clean around them with a damp cloth instead of soaking it, and keep silver cleaner away from them.
Everyday care
A few habits go a long way:
- Put your jewelry on last, after lotion, perfume, hairspray and makeup.
- Take it off before swimming, hot tubs, cleaning with household products and workouts. Chlorine and harsh cleaners are especially hard on silver.
- Showering in sterling silver will not ruin it, but soap film and hard water can make it look dull sooner. Taking it off is the easy fix.
- Wipe your pieces with a soft cloth before you put them away, so sweat and oils do not sit on the metal overnight.
How to store silver
Air and humidity are what drive tarnish, so storage matters more than most people think. Keep each piece in a small zip bag or a soft pouch, ideally with the air pressed out. A dry jewelry box works too. Avoid storing silver in the bathroom, where it is warm and damp. Silver is softer than gold and can scratch, so keeping pieces separate also stops them from rubbing against each other or tangling. We have more storage tips on our jewelry care page.
Why we love silver
Silver is a smart place to start or grow a jewelry collection. It is a real precious metal, it costs less than gold, and with a little care it can be worn for many years. A few of the silver pieces we reach for most:
- Eira Flat Hoop Earrings, a clean, flat everyday hoop in three sizes.
- Kaia Extra Chunky Hoop Earrings, for when you want your hoops to be the statement.
- Faye Moon Climber Earrings, a little celestial detail that climbs up the ear.
- Eternity Ring, a 925 sterling silver band with Art Deco detailing and emerald-green crystals.
- Naya Herringbone Chain Necklace and the Gioia Mary & Herringbone Necklace Set, both available in sterling silver.
You can see the full range in our sterling silver earrings and sterling silver necklaces collections.
Every piece comes with our 1-year warranty, so if something breaks, we will repair or replace it. And if you have a question about caring for a specific piece, just send us a message and we will help. You can also check our FAQs.
