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DO NOT swim or bathe in jewelry. If it is not properly dried, it could tarnish. In addition, salt water and pool chemicals can damage your jewelry.
NEVER use bleach or anything containing chlorine to clean your jewelry. Only use cleaners to that are recommended by your jewelry professional or take it to your jeweler for cleaning.
Sterling Silver and Tarnishing
All sterling silver jewelry has a tendency to tarnish, which can cause it to appear yellow to black in color. Sterling silver can tarnish for two reasons. First, sterling silver can react with elements in the air, such as sulphur, and become tarnished. Second, sterling silver, which is greater than 92% pure silver, is a relatively soft metal. This softness leads to tarnishing because as your jewelry rubs on your clothes or skin it becomes abraded producing dust like particles of black tarnish. Body chemistry affects the degree of tarnishing, and some individuals may find that certain perfumes, sprays, or lotions may cause more tarnishing. Humidity also contributes to tarnishing.
To minimize tarnishing, after you wear your jewelry, you should wipe it down and then store it in a zip-lock bag.
To polish silver, you can use water and baking soda to make a paste, rub it on the jewelry, and rinse with water. Just make sure you dry it thoroughly afterwards.