Why is sterling silver so cheap right now?

Blackened silver is almost always salvageable. Line a bowl with aluminum foil, drop in the silver, sprinkle baking soda, pour boiling water, wait 3 minutes. The tarnish transfers to the foil. For heavy build-up, use a silver polishing cloth. Do NOT use toothpaste - it scratches.

Fine silver (999) is 99.9 percent pure and too soft for rings and chains. It bends and stretches easily. Sterling (925) adds copper to make it rigid enough for daily jewelry. That is why basically all silver jewelry is 925 and not 999.

I have worn silver studs in my ears for 10 years and never had a reaction. Cheap fashion jewelry (that gold-tone stuff) is what turned my ears green and itchy. 925 solved it.

Silver turning your neck green is the same copper reaction as rings. It is more noticeable on the neck because skin oils and perfumes are common. A clear coat of nail polish on the contact area helps for a few weeks.