I work with a lot of different metals, including silver, copper, brass and gold-toned pieces, and every one of them ages a little differently. Some darkening over time is completely normal, but with a little care your jewelry can stay looking beautiful for years.
Here’s what I recommend for keeping your pieces clean, shiny and tarnish-free, plus a few things to avoid.
Why jewelry tarnishes
Tarnish is a reaction between the metal and things in the air and on your skin. Silver reacts with sulfur, and copper and brass react with oxygen and moisture. Humidity, sweat, lotions, perfume, hairspray, chlorine and even some foods can speed it up.
Tarnish isn’t damage. It sits on the surface, and on solid metals it can usually be cleaned off. The trick is slowing it down in the first place.
Everyday habits that prevent tarnish
These simple habits make the biggest difference for every metal:
- Put your jewelry on last. Apply lotion, perfume, sunscreen and hairspray first, let them dry, then put on your jewelry.
- Take it off first. Remove jewelry before showering, swimming, working out, cleaning or doing dishes. Chlorine and cleaning products are especially hard on metal.
- Wipe it after wearing. A quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth removes oils and sweat before they can sit on the metal.
- Store it dry and sealed. A small zip-top bag with the air pressed out, or a lined box, keeps air and moisture away. Anti-tarnish strips in the bag help even more.
- Store pieces separately. That keeps chains from tangling and stones from scratching other pieces.
How to care for silver jewelry
Sterling silver is beautiful but it does tarnish, especially in humid places or when it sits unworn. Funny enough, wearing your silver often actually helps keep it bright.
- For light tarnish, use a silver polishing cloth and gently rub with the grain of the metal.
- For a deeper clean, use warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, a soft toothbrush for crevices, then rinse and dry completely.
- Leave oxidized details alone. Many silver pieces have intentionally darkened recesses to show off the detail, so don’t scrub those out.
My Bright Silver and Lavender Agate Necklace has a gleaming sterling silver chain and a hammered silver lariat clasp, and a quick wipe with a polishing cloth keeps it shining.
How to care for silver-plated jewelry
Plated pieces have a thin layer of silver over another metal, like brass. They need a gentler touch, because harsh polishing can wear through the plating.
- Wipe with a soft, dry cloth instead of using polish or dips.
- Skip abrasive cleaners, baking soda pastes and ultrasonic cleaners.
- Keep it dry and store it sealed when you’re not wearing it.
The Basket Weave Ring is silver-plated brass with a darker finish in the woven recesses, so a soft cloth is all it needs.
How to care for copper jewelry
Copper develops a natural patina over time. It might darken to a deeper brown or, with moisture, take on a green or blue tint. Some people love that aged look, and others prefer it bright and shiny.
- To brighten solid copper, gently rub with a little lemon juice and salt (or a paste of vinegar and salt), rinse well, and dry completely.
- If copper turns your skin green, don’t worry. It’s a common, harmless reaction with skin and moisture, and it washes off. Keeping the piece dry helps, and some people brush a thin coat of clear nail polish on the inside of rings.
- Don’t clean intentional patina. Some pieces are made with a patina finish on purpose.
My Copper and Silver Woven Ring has a copper wire woven around a polished silver band, and the 3 Strand Copper Chain Bracelet uses three different copper chains. Both brighten up beautifully with a gentle clean. On the other hand, the Copper Feather Necklace has a patina-style feather that’s meant to look aged, so I’d just give that one a soft wipe.
How to care for brass jewelry
Brass is a warm, golden metal that darkens over time, kind of like copper. Many people love the antique look it gets.
- To brighten it, use the same lemon-and-salt method as copper, or a brass polishing cloth.
- Rinse and dry thoroughly, especially around clasps and jump rings.
- Store it sealed to slow down darkening.
The brass spikes on my Triple Brass Spike Necklace have a brighter golden shine against a matte gold chain, and a polishing cloth keeps them looking that way.
Be gentle with stones
Before you clean any metal, think about the stones. Some stones, like turquoise, larimar, amber and pearls, are porous or soft, and soaking them or using chemicals can dull or discolor them.
- Don’t soak pieces with stones, and keep lemon, vinegar and polish away from the stones.
- Clean around stones with a barely damp cloth, then dry right away.
- Never put porous stones in an ultrasonic cleaner.
My Turquoise and Copper Necklace mixes copper with turquoise beads, so I’d just wipe it gently with a soft, dry cloth instead of using any copper cleaner.
A little care goes a long way
You don’t need fancy products. Keep your jewelry dry, store it sealed, put it on last, and wipe it after wearing, and you’ll spend a lot less time cleaning it. If you ever have a question about caring for a piece you bought from me, just reach out and I’ll be happy to help.
You can browse all of my necklaces and bracelets to find your next favorite piece.
