Does Sterling Silver Tarnish?

Yes. Real sterling silver tarnishes, and that is how you know it is real.

What tarnish is

Silver reacts with sulfur compounds in the air and on skin. The surface slowly darkens, first to a warm yellow, later to gray or black if it is left alone long enough. Nothing is broken. The metal underneath is untouched; tarnish is a film sitting on top of it.

What speeds it up

Humidity, perfume, lotion, chlorine, and closed drawers with no airflow. Sweat plays a part too, which is why the same chain can behave differently on two people.

What actually helps

Wearing it. A piece that is worn often stays brighter than one left in a drawer. Beyond that: keep it dry, take it off for pools and perfume, and store it in the pouch it came in.

When it does tarnish

A soft polishing cloth takes light tarnish off in under a minute. No machines, no dips, no scrubbing. If a piece has gone properly dark, work slowly with the cloth; the shine is still under there.

Care in full is on Jewelry Care. What our silver is, exactly, is on Our Materials.