Will It Tarnish, and How Do I Clean It?

Most metals used in jewelry will tarnish eventually — it's a reaction with air and moisture, not a sign of poor quality. How fast it happens, and how you deal with it, depends on the specific metal.

The simplest home fix that works across most jewelry: a soft, 100% cotton cloth (or a dedicated jewelry polishing cloth), buffed gently until the shine returns. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, chlorine, and perfume or lotion applied directly onto the piece — all of these accelerate tarnishing.

Storage matters more than most people expect: an airtight bag or a closed box slows tarnish far more than leaving a piece out on a dresser exposed to air.