Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% of pure silver and 7.5% copper (alloy just means a mix of different metals). Pure silver is very soft and not suitable for jewellery making by itself, so the jewellery industry mixes pure silver with copper to produce 'Sterling silver'. Sterling silver oxidises naturally in the air and will tarnish over time if left unattended. To keep your sterling silver jewellery always shiny, keep it in a ziplock bag away from moisture or you may actually wear it in the shower as the water will continually buff away the black oxidisation. Do not wear your silver in Chlorinated pools as this can tun your sterling silver black quite quickly! It is a good idea to remove your jewellery when engaging in activities such as swimming in chlorine pools and/or spas, washing dishes and doing work that requires the use of harsh chemicals and detergents. If you notice your silver jewellery becoming dull or tarnished, you can simply polish the silver with a silver polishing cloth or liquid which can be purchase online. Our sterling silver jewellery is nickel free and hypoallergenic and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.  Shop Sterling Silver