Know Your Silver

Silver is the most accessible precious metal, prized for its bright, versatile finish. But "silver" jewellery is rarely pure silver — understanding what sterling silver actually is, and why it tarnishes, helps you keep it looking its best for years.

Sterling Silver vs. Fine Silver

• Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver. It's naturally soft and, like 24K gold, too easily scratched and bent for most everyday jewellery.
• Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% other metals, usually copper, for added strength. It's the industry standard for silver jewellery worldwide.

When you buy "silver" jewellery, you're almost always buying sterling silver — it offers the best balance of silver's bright appearance and everyday durability.

The 925 Hallmark

Sterling silver is often stamped "925," referring to 925 parts per 1000, or 92.5% purity — the same figure expressed differently to the karat system used for gold. In India, silver can also carry a BIS hallmark for silver jewellery, verifying purity through an independent, government-recognised standard, similar to BIS hallmarking for gold.

Oxidised Silver

Oxidised silver is sterling silver that has been deliberately darkened, usually with a sulphur-based solution, to create contrast in detailed or textured designs — common in traditional and statement jewellery. This is a controlled, intentional finish, different from the uneven, unwanted tarnish that develops naturally over time. Oxidised finishes can wear down with handling on raised, high-contact areas, which is a normal part of the design's character.

Why Silver Tarnishes

Tarnish is a natural chemical reaction between silver and sulphur compounds in the air, moisture, and everyday substances like perfume, lotion, and sweat. It appears as a dull, sometimes yellowish or blackish film on the surface. Tarnish is a surface-level reaction, not damage to the silver underneath, and can almost always be polished away.

Cleaning Sterling Silver

• For light tarnish, buff gently with a dedicated silver polishing cloth.
• For more noticeable tarnish, wash with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap, using a soft brush for detailed areas, then dry thoroughly.
• Avoid household chemical cleaners, chlorine, and abrasive materials, which can damage the silver's surface or any oxidised finish.
• For oxidised or gemstone-set pieces, avoid vigorous polishing on darkened areas — it can remove the intended contrast finish.

Storage Tips

Store silver jewellery in a dry place, ideally in an airtight pouch or anti-tarnish cloth bag, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Keep pieces separate from each other to prevent scratching, and avoid storing silver in bathrooms, where moisture and humidity accelerate tarnishing.

Common Silver Myths

• "Tarnish means the silver is fake or low quality." Tarnish happens to genuine sterling silver too — it's a natural reaction, not a sign of poor quality.
• "Silver that doesn't tarnish isn't real silver." Some pieces are given a protective rhodium plating specifically to resist tarnish for longer — this doesn't make the underlying silver any less genuine.
• "You need special expensive cleaners for silver." Mild dish soap and warm water handle most everyday tarnish; dedicated silver polish is only needed for more stubborn buildup.