they always tarnish...I swear one bracelet I bought the beads were plastic with a metal coating ruined a beautiful bracelet I avoid any metal in lola rose stylesI agree with Eric's mum about the "gold" bits...Can't see the point in paying a fortune for semi precious when the stones are interrupted by plastic or fake gold shiny beads just makes the item look cheap...and again I apologise to LR fans. I'm another one who prefers a natural look..some of these stones even though they're real could be made from resin or plastic to the untrained eye. Don't see any need to pay a lot of money for casual jewellery and boy is LR stuff a lot of money?!