The stainless steel pieces are PVD gold plated and won’t rust, tarnish, or turn black.The 925 sterling silver pieces (92.5% pure silver with small amounts of alloy for durability) may naturally oxidize over time, especially in humid environments , as all genuine silver does. I include a silver polishing cloth with every order to easily restore the shine, and if you ever misplace it, you can always message my team on Instagram for a free replacement. A basic care guide is also added to every package, in case you’re gifting it to someone.