How to Stop Fashion Jewellery from Turning Black (and How to Clean It)

November 11, 2026

You buy a beautiful pair of earrings, wear them a few times, and suddenly they look dull, darker, or even leave a green mark on your skin. Sound familiar? The good news: fashion jewellery doesn't have to turn black. With a few simple habits, your favourite pieces can stay shiny for years.

Why does fashion jewellery turn black?

Most fashion jewellery is made of brass or alloy with a thin gold or silver plating on top. It darkens when that plating reacts with:

Moisture: sweat, humidity, water from bathing or swimming
Chemicals: perfume, deodorant, hairspray, lotions and sanitiser
Air: leaving pieces out in the open lets them oxidise faster

In Indian weather, with heat, humidity and monsoon, this happens even faster.

7 ways to stop your jewellery from turning black

Jewellery goes on last. Put on perfume, makeup and hairspray first, wait a minute, then wear your earrings.
Take it off first. Remove jewellery before you wash your face, shower, swim or work out.
Wipe after every wear. A quick wipe with a soft, dry cloth removes sweat and oils before they cause damage.
Store pieces separately. Keep each pair in a small zip-lock pouch or the box it came in. Less air means less tarnish.
Add a silica gel packet. Drop one into your jewellery box to soak up moisture. This makes a big difference in humid cities.
Don't sleep in it. Sweat and friction at night wear the plating down.
Keep away from the bathroom. Steam and humidity are the worst enemies of plated jewellery.

How to clean fashion jewellery that has already darkened

Light dullness: wipe with a soft cloth dipped in a little lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap, then dry completely.
Stones and pearls: never soak them. Clean around them gently with a soft, dry toothbrush.
Avoid: toothpaste, lemon, baking soda or silver dip on plated jewellery. They can strip the plating off.

Always let jewellery dry fully before storing it.

Why does jewellery leave a green mark on skin?

A green mark usually means the base metal (often copper in brass) is reacting with sweat. It's harmless and washes off. To avoid it, keep the piece dry and wipe it after wearing. If you have sensitive skin, look for pieces with good-quality plating.