Sterling silver darkens when it meets air, sweat and perfume. That is normal, and it is easy to undo.

Wear it often

Skin oils polish silver as you move. Pieces worn every day tarnish slower than pieces kept in a drawer.

Put it on last

Perfume, lotion and hairspray speed up tarnish. Let them dry before your jewelry goes on.

Store it dry

Keep each piece in its pouch, away from bathrooms. A small silica packet in the box helps.

Clean it gently

Use a soft polishing cloth. For beaded pieces, wipe only the metal parts and skip water.