Why are my jewels tarnishing?

You've probably experienced this frustrating situation: a piece of jewelry you love, worn only a few times, that starts to tarnish , turn black, or leave marks on your skin. And inevitably, one question keeps coming up: why are my jewelry tarnishing?

The good news is that this phenomenon always has an explanation. And most importantly, there are simple solutions to prevent it. In this article, we clearly explain why jewelry tarnishes , which materials are affected, and how to keep your jewelry looking beautiful for longer.

Tarnishing of jewelry: a common phenomenon

When a piece of jewelry turns black, it's not a rare or abnormal defect 🙂. It's a natural chemical reaction that depends mainly on the material , the environment , and how the jewelry is worn .

The darkening can appear in different forms:

• jewelry that becomes darker
• loss of shine
• black or greenish marks on the skin

Understanding this phenomenon can help avoid unpleasant surprises.

Oxidation: the main cause of tarnishing jewelry

The main reason why jewelry tarnishes is oxidation . When a metal comes into contact with air, moisture, or certain products, it can react and change its appearance.

Silver jewelry , costume jewelry , or jewelry made of low-quality alloys are particularly susceptible to this reaction. Oxidation then causes the jewelry to gradually darken.

Conversely, some materials are designed to resist this phenomenon, as explained in our article on why stainless steel jewelry doesn't rust 🤍.

Perspiration and skin pH

Skin pH plays an important role in the tarnishing of jewelry. Some people have more acidic skin than others, which accelerates chemical reactions with certain metals.

Perspiration, combined with body heat, can therefore promote tarnishing, especially with average quality jewelry.

This is why many people find that their jewelry tarnishes faster when worn every day .

Water, soap and everyday products

Water alone is not always responsible, but it becomes problematic when combined with other elements:

• soap
• shampoo
• shower gel
• household products
• chlorine or salt

These substances can attack fragile metals and accelerate tarnishing. That's why it's important to choose suitable materials if you want to keep your jewelry in water, as explained in our article on which jewelry you can wear in the shower 🚿.

Costume jewelry: the most affected

Costume jewelry is often the first to tarnish 😕. It is usually made from weak alloys, sometimes covered with a simple varnish or very thin plating.

Over time and with friction, this protective layer disappears, leaving the metal to react with air and moisture.

The result: the jewelry tarnishes, loses its shine, and can even leave marks on the skin. If you're wondering about the quality of a material, this article can also help: Stainless steel jewelry: is it really high quality?

Why do some jewels not tarnish?

While some jewelry tarnishes quickly, other pieces retain their shine for years. The difference almost always lies in the material .

Stainless steel jewelry is designed to resist oxidation. It does not blacken, tarnish, or discolor, and it withstands humidity very well.

This is why they are considered the best material for everyday jewelry , capable of being worn regularly without getting damaged.

The case of gold plating

Gold plating can also tarnish over time if the layer of gold is too thin or if the jewelry is subjected to repeated damage.

However, when made on a solid base like stainless steel and properly maintained, it retains its shine much better.

To better understand the differences between the materials, our comparison stainless steel vs gold plated: what are the differences? helps to see more clearly 💛.

How to prevent your jewelry from tarnishing

Good news: it is entirely possible to limit, or even completely avoid, the tarnishing of jewelry.

Here are some simple tips ✅:

• choose jewelry made of stainless steel or quality materials
• avoid prolonged contact with chemicals
• Remove your jewelry for certain activities
• dry your jewelry after contact with water

Proper care makes all the difference, as explained in our article on how to care for your stainless steel jewelry . And to avoid mistakes, also keep in mind the errors to avoid when cleaning your jewelry 🧼.

Jewelry and sensitive skin

The tarnishing is sometimes accompanied by irritation or skin reactions. In this case, the problem often stems from the composition of the jewelry.

Stainless steel jewelry is especially recommended for sensitive skin 🤍, as it does not release irritating substances.

If this applies to you, our article on stainless steel jewelry perfect for sensitive skin will help you make the right choices.

Should you throw away a piece of jewelry that has tarnished?

Not necessarily. A tarnished piece of jewelry can sometimes be cleaned and regain some of its shine, especially if it is made of a quality material.

On the other hand, if the tarnishing returns quickly after cleaning, this often indicates that the jewelry is not designed to last.

Conclusion: the material makes all the difference ✨

If you're wondering why your jewelry is tarnishing , the answer almost always lies in the material used and daily wear.

Low-quality jewelry is more susceptible to oxidation, while stainless steel jewelry offers a durable, aesthetic, and reassuring solution.

At Rélia Bijoux , we have chosen materials designed for real life: jewelry that you can wear often, without stress.

Discover our collections on Rélia Bijoux and choose jewelry that won't tarnish ✨.