Memories you can hold, stories you can wear
We are at 42 Mitchell Street, Kirkcaldy. You're welcome to pop in, however, it's better to make a booking here
We are at 42 Mitchell Street, Kirkcaldy. You're welcome to pop in, however, it's better to make a booking here
Have you ever opened your jewellery box, excited to wear your favourite silver piece, only to find it looking a little… dull? Maybe it’s gone darker in places, or even taken on a golden or black tint. Don’t panic! This isn’t your jewellery “going bad” — it’s just the dreaded tarnish.
This little Ticktock video shows a before and after…just look at the difference!!!
At Impressive Memories, I know how much your jewellery means to you. Whether it’s a fingerprint pendant holding memories of someone precious, or a charm celebrating life’s milestones, keeping it looking beautiful matters. So let’s talk about why silver tarnishes, what you can do about it, and how to prevent it.
Sterling silver (the kind I use to make your jewellery) is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. Pure silver (999) is too soft — it scratches or dents easily, so we add copper to strengthen it, creating sterling silver (925).
Actually, it’s the copper, not the silver, that reacts with things like air and moisture to cause tarnish.
Fun fact: If someone says they’re “allergic to silver,” it’s almost always the copper they’re reacting to, not the silver itself.
Sterling silver reacts with hydrogen sulfide — found in air pollution, wool, rubber, eggs, onions, and even some cosmetics. This reaction forms sulphur sulfide, that dark or golden layer we see as tarnish.
It’s nothing you can control completely. We all have different skin pH levels, we sweat differently, and chemistry even changes through the month! Wine can also speed tarnish—but don’t worry, I’d never ask you to give up your glass of wine. 
Certain conditions make silver tarnish faster:
Humidity (sea air, damp homes)
Wool, rubber, and latex materials (we listen, we don’t judge…)
Sulphur-rich foods (onions, eggs)
Tomatoes
Cosmetics, lotions, and perfumes
Air pollution or beach holidays
Medications
Wear it often – Your skin actually helps polish silver as you wear it.
Polish gently – Use one of the cloths linked below to restore sparkle and slow down tarnishing.
Avoid harsh contact – Remove jewellery before swimming, cleaning or applying sprays.
Store smartly – Keep pieces in airtight bags or boxes, ideally with anti-tarnish strips.
Here are my go-to cleaning tools—practical, gentle, and easy for home care:
Hagerty Jewel Clean — This is a liquid dip. It is excellent for quickly removing heavy tarnish. Use only on plain silver (NOT SUITABLE FOR resin, stones, or ashes). Use this sparingly and just for a quick dip! It will corrode your silver if you overuse it! 
Buy it here
Town Talk Silver Polishing Cloth — A trusted, anti-tarnish cloth perfect for jewellery upkeep. Use this regularly and tarnish will be a thing of the past! This is safe to use when you have resin/stones etc – but work carefully around these more sensitive elements. Don’t let the black cloth touch the resin or it’ll damage the surface of your resin. Buy it here
Buy it here
Tarnish is just real silver responding to life—salt air, a comforting squeeze, a lazy weekend—those things make your jewellery matter. With a bit of care, your precious pieces will stay as stunning as the memories they hold.
✨ Have a question about silver care? Get in touch — I’m always happy to help.