Jewelry is not indestructible! If you avoid wearing it while bathing, sweating and using cosmetics such as perfumes and lotions, your piece of jewelry will stay bright and shiny for much, much longer! I highly recommend storing your jewelry in an air tight sealed bag to prevent oxidization.
Sterling silver has a natural shine and beautiful color but if exposed to water, sweat or cosmetics, it will tarnish fast. A gentle rub with a silver polishing cloth every now and then will keep it shiny and good as new!
All my brass jewelry have been polished and sealed and unless exposed to humidity, they will keep their original colour and shine for a really long time!