Does 925 sterling silver turn black?
Andrew Davis
Updated on April 23, 2026
It is a natural reaction for your jewelry to tarnish over time. The blackened color of this metal indicates, precisely, that our jewelry is made of 925 Sterling Silver. 925 Sterling Silver darkens due to daily use, as well as for other reasons.
How long does 925 sterling silver last?
If wore all the time, On average, sterling silver rings last between 20-30 years, if well maintained, but If only worn occasionally and properly stored they will last forever.Can sterling silver turn black?
Your sterling silver turns black when you wear it because of its continuous reaction with sulfur compounds in the air. This phenomenon is called tarnish, and the result is a black coating on the surface of sterling silver items. This coating is called silver sulfide. Any sterling silver jewelry can tarnish.How do you keep sterling silver from turning black?
Prevention is better than cure!
- Keep it clean. After wearing your sterling silver jewelry, clean it with a dry soft cloth, or polishing cloth, before storing it away.
- Keep it safe. Store your clean dry sterling silver jewelry in a dry airtight container. Small ziploc bags or Tupperware work well.