Jewelry that does not tarnish or stain: which materials to choose

If you want jewelry to wear every day without worrying about upkeep, these are the materials that hold up best.

Those that do not tarnish #

• Solid gold of 14 or 18 karats (pure gold does not tarnish, and quality alloys hold up).
• Platinum and palladium.
• Titanium and niobium.
• Stainless steel (316L or 304): it does not tarnish, although it scratches.
• Tungsten carbide and ceramic.

Those that wear off #

Gold plating and vermeil have a gold layer that wears with use and shows the base metal. Gold-filled lasts much longer.

Silver #

925 silver darkens over time, although it cleans easily. A rhodium plating delays tarnish.

What to avoid #

Brass, copper and costume jewelry without a durable coating: they tarnish and can leave marks on the skin.

See also #

• Why jewelry turns your skin green
• Why silver turns black and how to prevent it
• Stainless steel