It's a common concern: your once-sparkling silver jewellery has started to turn a shade of grey or even black. Rest assured, this darkening, known as tarnishing, is a natural process and not necessarily an indication of poor quality silver.

Here’s why your silver might be losing its shine:

• Humidity: Exposure to moisture in the air can accelerate the reaction between silver and sulfur compounds present in the atmosphere. 

• Chemical Reactions: Silver reacts with various sulfur-containing compounds found in everyday substances like pollution, certain cosmetics, perfumes, hairsprays, and even some foods.

• Pre-Oxidation (Intentional Tarnishing): Some designers intentionally oxidize silver to create antique or vintage-inspired looks, highlighting intricate details and adding depth to the piece. This is a design choice, not a flaw. Several of Quirksmith’s bestsellers undergo this process, for the design details to come through and for the piece to give an old school Vintage vibe. Some of our favorites being Floral Drop Earrings, Blossom two finger Ring, Gulistaan jaali Studs, Spring Floral Studs with Pearl, Spring Floral Ring with Pearl

The Good News: Tarnishing is Reversible!

The beauty of quality sterling silver is that tarnish is usually just a surface layer that can be easily removed with proper cleaning. Investing in good quality silver cleaning cloths or solutions will help you restore your jewellery's original brilliance. At Quirksmith, we provide a small pouch of silver cleaning powder with every order, so you don’t have to run around when you want to give your silver that shine.