Silver tarnish is a natural process that happens when silver comes into contact with sulfur. The silver reacts with the sulfur and produces a black or brown film on the surface of the metal. This film is called tarnish.
There are a few ways to prevent silver tarnish from happening.
1) Preventing silver tarnish starts with keeping silver jewelry away from sulfur-containing compounds. Sulfur-containing compounds can be found in perfumes, lotions, makeup, etc. If you are not sure if a product contains sulfur, you can check the label or ask the manufacturer.
2) Another way to prevent tarnish is to coat the silver with a protective layer. A protective layer like rhodium plating will help to prevent the silver from coming into contact with sulfur-containing compounds. There are a few different metals and products that can be used to coat silver, such as rhodium, platinum, tarnish prevention sprays, etc.
3) Clean silver jewelry on a regular basis. Tarnish can build up over time and make it more difficult to prevent. Use a gentle cleaner or warm water and a mild soap.
4) If you are not able to prevent tarnish from happening, you can remove the tarnish with a polishing cloth or silver cleaner. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the metal
5) Proper jewelry storage is important in preventing silver tarnish. Proper jewelry storage means storing jewelry in a cool, dry place. Humidity and high temperatures can speed up the tarnishing process.