Does sterling silver tarnish?

Yes, it does. Tarnish is a normal chemical reaction — it is not a sign that your silver is fake or low quality. It is harmless and comes off. Pure silver barely tarnishes at all; it is the copper added to make sterling silver (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper) that reacts with sulphur in the air to cause tarnish.

Why does sterling silver tarnish?

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. The copper reacts with sulphur in the air and on your skin, producing a thin layer of tarnish — dull yellow first, then grey, then nearly black if left long enough.

What speeds up tarnishing on sterling silver?

Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and household cleaning products all accelerate tarnish. Sweat and skin acidity play a part too. Damp conditions and storage in humid environments also speed it up, as does exposure to swimming pools and the sea.

How do I slow down tarnishing on sterling silver?

Wear it regularly — skin contact and friction keep silver bright. Put jewellery on last, after perfume and lotion. Take it off before swimming, showering, and cleaning. Store it somewhere dry in a sealed bag with the air pushed out, and use an anti-tarnish strip for pieces you won't wear for a while.

How do I remove tarnish from sterling silver?

For light tarnish, use a silver polishing cloth — a minute or two of gentle rubbing will lift the dullness. For heavier tarnish, use a dedicated silver cleaner sparingly, then rinse and dry fully. Avoid abrasive pastes and be careful around set stones. If tarnish won't shift, a jeweller can professionally clean and repolish the piece.

October’s Birthstone: Opal

September 18, 2026

If you were born in October, your birthstone is one of the most changeable stones there is.

Opal never looks quite the same twice. In one light it can appear quiet and pale; turn it slightly and green, blue, orange or pink can flare across its surface. This shifting colour is called play-of-colour. It is not a coating or a reflection from the setting, but light moving through the stone itself.

Opal is made from hydrated silica. Inside a good precious opal, tiny spheres of silica are arranged closely enough to bend light as it passes through. Different arrangements produce different colours, which is why no two stones show exactly the same pattern.

It is a stone that rewards looking twice.

Where opal comes from and why it matters

Australia has long been the most important source of fine opal, particularly the white, black and boulder opals that are prized for their colour. Ethiopian opal has also become widely available in recent years, often showing bright flashes of green, blue and orange.

The character of an opal is not only in its colour, but in how that colour moves. Some show tiny pinpoints of light; others have broader patches that appear and disappear as the stone turns. A small opal can hold an extraordinary amount of colour.

For a ring, I look for a stone with a clear, lively flash rather than one that needs direct sunlight to show itself. It should have something to say in ordinary daylight.

Why opal suits silver

Opal works beautifully with silver because silver gives the stone room to change. A bright polished setting can make the flashes feel sharper; a softly hammered surface keeps the overall effect quieter and more tactile.

The colour in opal is never fixed, and the hand-hammered silver band has the same quality. Its surface changes in the light too, though more subtly. Neither is perfectly uniform. Together, they make a ring that feels alive rather than overly finished.

What I’m making for October

The October ring in the Twelve Months collection is a hammered sterling silver band with an opal gypsy-set into its surface. Each band is made to order in my studio in England, then hallmarked at the London Assay Office before it is sent out. I'm more than happy to make you something bespoke too.

Opal is a softer stone than many of the traditional birthstones, so it benefits from a little care: avoid hard knocks, sudden temperature changes and harsh chemicals. Clean it gently with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.

Buy the October Opal Ring

The Twelve Months collection is twelve handmade silver bands, one for each birthstone, made to order in my studio in England. New pieces are published monthly. Sign up to the newsletter to be told when each one goes live.

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