There’s nothing worse than seeing your favourite jewellery pieces start to dull or tarnish over time, especially when you’ve invested in gorgeous gold huggie hoops or those perfect small gold hoops that go with everything.
Luckily, tarnishing doesn’t have to be inevitable. With a few simple tricks and a little TLC, you can keep your tarnish-free, gold jewellery looking as good as the day you bought it.
Why does silver turn black and how to keep jewellery from tarnishing?
Finding tarnish free jewellery will revolutionise your jewellery game, and when your jewellery tarnishes, it's mostly down to metal it's made from, like silver and gold, and this reaction with air and moisture over time. This is what happens when your silver turns black, or your gold gets a little dull. Even if you’ve got the best tarnish free gold jewellery or waterproof jewellery, natural oils from your skin and environmental factors like humidity can still cause some dullness. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean your jewellery is ruined! Tarnish is totally normal, and with the right care, it’s easy to prevent and even reverse.
What metal turns skin green?
Tarnish that causes green skin, however, is a different story. If your skin is turning green shortly after wearing the jewellery, this happens because the jewellery is made with low quality metals, especially copper, and other metals such as brass, or bronze. This is why you rings turn your fingers green or you get a green neck from your chain, since the PH in your skin reacts to the composition of the metals. You may also find that you get a rash or reaction from these metals since they often tarnish quality and are not allergy safe or nickel free.
Top tips for tarnish free jewellery...
Whether it’s pure gold, sterling silver, stainless steel, or anything in between, there are a few easy things you can do to protect your jewellery from tarnishing. Here’s what I do to keep everything looking fresh:
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Keep it dry – Moisture is the number one cause of tarnishing, so try to keep your jewellery away from water and sweat. This means removing your rings, bracelets, and necklaces before you shower, swim, exercise or even wash your hands. Even with waterproof jewellery it’s still a good idea to be cautious with water. Keeping it dry will slow down the tarnishing process.
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Store it smartly – Where you store your jewellery matters! I always keep my pieces in a dry, cool place, like a jewellery box or pouch. Storing your small gold hoops or gold huggie hoops in a soft cloth bag or a sealed container will help keep out air and moisture, which are the biggest culprits when it comes to tarnish!
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Wipe it down – I know we’re all busy, but taking just a few seconds to give your jewellery a quick wipe after wearing it can make a huge difference. Oils from your skin can speed up tarnishing, so using a soft cloth to gently clean your jewellery before putting it away will help keep it looking shiny and new.
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Avoid chemicals – Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and even cleaning products can all contribute to tarnish. I always put my jewellery on after applying makeup or styling my hair to avoid any accidental contact with these chemicals. Trust me, your jewellery will thank you!
How to clean tarnished jewellery
Okay, so maybe you’re already seeing a little tarnish on your favourite pieces—don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! Whether it’s gold or silver, tarnish can be cleaned off pretty easily. Here’s what I do to make my jewellery life proof, and when I notice my pieces are missing their original shine:
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For gold earrings (whether they’re those beautiful gold huggie hoops or dainty studs), I always start by soaking them in a mild saline solution. After a few minutes, I gently rub them with one of our Elk & Bloom soft cloths to remove any dirt or oil. If they need a little extra love, a super soft toothbrush can help get into those tricky spots.
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For silver earrings that turn black, tarnish can be more noticeable, but a simple mix of warm water and mild soap does the trick. I let my earrings soak for a few minutes and then carefully scrub away any tarnish with a soft cloth or toothbrush.
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And if you’ve got hypoallergenic earrings (which I highly recommend if your ears are sensitive like mine), it’s especially important to clean them regularly to prevent any buildup that could irritate your skin and keep them safe for your sensitive ears.
Elk & Bloom's tarnish-free promise
Speak soon!
Dominique xx