❥ What Jewellery Doesn't Tarnish? A Simple Guide to Long-Lasting Jewellery

We’ve all been there.

You buy a gorgeous piece of jewellery, wear it constantly, fall completely in love with it… and then one day you notice it doesn't look quite as shiny as it used to.

So what jewellery doesn't tarnish? And what should you look for if you want jewellery you can actually wear every day without constantly polishing it?

The answer starts with one very important thing:

The material.

At Let’s Jam, we're big believers in jewellery that's made to be worn — not jewellery that spends 364 days a year sitting in a box waiting for a special occasion.

So here's our simple guide to choosing jewellery that stays looking fabulous for longer.

First: what actually is tarnish?

Tarnish is a surface reaction that happens when certain metals react with substances in their environment.

Air, moisture, sulphur-containing compounds, cosmetics, sweat and chemicals can all play a part depending on the metal.

And here's something important:

Tarnish doesn't automatically mean your jewellery is cheap or fake.

Even genuine 925 sterling silver can tarnish.

The question is really about understanding which materials are naturally more resistant than others.

Stainless steel: one of our favourites for everyday jewellery

If you're looking for low-maintenance jewellery, stainless steel is difficult to beat.

Stainless steel contains chromium, which forms a thin protective layer on its surface and gives the material excellent resistance to corrosion.

That makes it particularly practical for jewellery.

It's one of the reasons you'll find so much stainless steel throughout the Let’s Jam collection — from earrings and rings to charm bracelets and necklaces.

It's durable.

It's affordable.

It's easy to look after.

And most importantly, you can actually live your life while wearing it.

Does stainless steel tarnish?

Good-quality stainless steel is highly resistant to tarnishing and corrosion.

That's slightly different from saying that absolutely nothing can ever happen to it.

No jewellery is magically indestructible.

It can still become dirty, scratched or affected by harsh chemicals and extreme conditions.

But compared with many other jewellery materials, stainless steel requires very little maintenance.

For someone looking for jewellery they can wear regularly without constantly reaching for the polishing cloth, it's an excellent choice.

What about gold stainless-steel jewellery?

This is where things get slightly more complicated.

Gold-coloured stainless-steel jewellery can achieve its colour in different ways, including various types of plating or coating.

At Let’s Jam, you'll find pieces made from stainless steel with real gold plating.

The stainless steel underneath remains highly corrosion-resistant, but the finish on the surface deserves some care.

Plating can gradually wear through friction and repeated exposure to chemicals.

So if you want your gold-plated jewellery to look beautiful for as long as possible, try to avoid repeatedly exposing it to chlorine, harsh cleaning products and perfume.

Does sterling silver tarnish?

Yes.

And that's completely normal.

925 sterling silver is made from 92.5% silver, combined with other metals to make it strong enough for jewellery.

Over time, sterling silver can darken as it reacts with substances in its environment.

But here's the good news:

Tarnished sterling silver usually isn't ruined.

It can generally be cleaned and polished back to its beautiful silver shine.

So don't throw away a favourite silver ring because it's turned dark!

Give it some love instead.

If you own sterling silver, have a look at our guide to How to Care for 925 Sterling Silver Jewellery — and Keep It Looking Beautiful Forever, or browse our 925 sterling silver collection.

Why does some jewellery turn your skin green?

Ah yes.

The dreaded green finger.

This usually happens when metals such as copper react with moisture, sweat or products on your skin, creating compounds that can transfer onto the skin.

And despite how dramatic it can look, green staining on the skin isn't necessarily evidence that a piece of jewellery is fake.

Copper is used in many metal alloys — including sterling silver.

Some people's skin chemistry also reacts more strongly than others.

It's another reason choosing jewellery based on its actual material — rather than simply its colour — is important.

What jewellery materials are good for everyday wear?

If low maintenance is your priority, we'd put stainless steel very high on the list.

It's particularly suited to:

• Rings you wear regularly

• Everyday necklaces

• Charm bracelets

• Earrings

• Jewellery you take travelling

• Pieces you don't want to constantly polish

Sterling silver is also fantastic for everyday jewellery, but you should expect to clean it occasionally.

And with plated jewellery, remember that the finish deserves a little extra care.

How can I make my jewellery last longer?

Whatever your jewellery is made from, a few simple habits can make an enormous difference.

Put perfume on first

Spray your perfume, let it dry and then put your jewellery on.

Repeatedly spraying perfume directly onto jewellery isn't doing the finish any favours.

Be careful with chlorine

Your jewellery might survive an accidental jump into a swimming pool.

That doesn't mean it wants to spend every Saturday doing 50 lengths with you.

Chlorine is much harsher than ordinary fresh water.

If you want the full picture, read our guide to waterproof jewellery and what you can wear in the shower, pool and sea.

Keep it clean

Skin oils, creams, make-up and everyday dirt gradually build up on jewellery.

Occasionally wiping your pieces with a soft cloth can make a surprising difference.

Store pieces separately

Throwing every necklace, bracelet and ring into one giant jewellery box creates scratches, tangles and friction.

Giving your favourite pieces a little breathing room helps protect them. Away from sun and heat but mostly moist so away from the bathroom if possible.

Know what you're buying

This is probably the most important tip.

Don't just look at whether something is gold or silver coloured.

Look at the material.

Is it stainless steel?

925 sterling silver?

Gold plated?

Knowing what's underneath the colour tells you far more about how your jewellery is likely to behave.

So what jewellery doesn't tarnish?

If you want the simple answer:

Stainless steel is one of the best choices for highly tarnish-resistant, low-maintenance everyday jewellery.

Sterling silver can tarnish, but it can usually be cleaned.

Plated jewellery needs a little extra care because the surface finish can gradually wear.

And regardless of what you're wearing, avoiding harsh chemicals and looking after your pieces will help them stay beautiful for longer.

Jewellery shouldn't become another thing to worry about

We think jewellery should be fun.

You should be able to throw on a necklace because it makes a boring T-shirt look fabulous.

Stack five rings because one wasn't enough.

Wear ridiculous earrings on a Tuesday morning simply because you felt like it.

That's exactly why practical materials such as stainless steel have become such a huge part of what we do at Let’s Jam.

Choose good materials.

Give them a little care.

Then stop worrying about your jewellery...

And keep wearing it. ❤️

Fabulous, Just Like You.

— Let’s Jam, Camden Market, London