How to Care for Oxidized Sterling Silver Jewelry

If you own oxidized sterling silver jewelry, you've probably wondered at some point: am I supposed to clean this thing?! 😂

The answer is yes — but PLEASE don't attack it with silver polish before you know what you're doing.

Oxidized silver is supposed to be dark. That blackened finish is intentional, and on a lot of my work, it's what brings out all of those tiny details and gives the piece its depth. Cleaning it the same way you'd clean bright, shiny sterling silver can actually remove the finish you're trying to preserve.

I've been working with sterling silver for over a decade, and almost all of my work incorporates oxidation in some way. So here's how I recommend caring for your oxidized silver jewelry, what you should avoid, and why your piece is probably going to change a little as you wear it — and that's completely normal.

What Is Oxidized Sterling Silver?

Oxidized sterling silver is simply sterling silver that's been intentionally darkened using a chemical process. That black or charcoal color isn't dirt or tarnish — I put it there on purpose. 😂

I use oxidation constantly in my work because it settles into all the little sawed, engraved and textured areas and makes those details stand out. Then I can selectively remove some of the oxidation from the higher areas of the piece, leaving the deeper areas dark.

That's what creates that contrast between the bright silver and those deep black details you see in so much of my jewelry.

The important thing to know is that oxidation is a surface finish. It can change, lighten or wear away over time, especially on areas that constantly rub against your skin, clothing or other jewelry. That's a completely normal part of wearing an oxidized piece.

How Do You Clean Oxidized Sterling Silver?

This is where you want to be gentle.

For everyday cleaning, you really don't need anything fancy. I recommend using a soft cloth and a little warm water with mild soap if your piece actually needs it. Gently clean the jewelry, rinse it well, and dry it completely with a soft cloth.

What you don't want to do is aggressively polish the entire piece with a silver polishing cloth or silver cleaner. Those products are literally designed to remove tarnish and oxidation — which means they can also remove the dark finish I intentionally put on your jewelry. 😂

If your piece has bright silver areas that you want to freshen up, you can very gently polish only those exposed high points, while avoiding the recessed blackened areas.

Basically: don't scrub the hell out of it. Your jewelry doesn't need to look brand new every five minutes. Part of the beauty of handmade silver is the way it develops character as you wear it.

 

What Should You Avoid?

There are a few things I would not use on oxidized sterling silver:

• Silver dips or chemical silver cleaners
• Abrasive cleaners or polishing compounds
• Aggressive polishing with a silver polishing cloth
• Toothpaste — I know the internet loves this one. Please don't. 😂
• Scrubbing the darkened areas trying to make them “clean”

Also, I recommend taking your jewelry off before swimming, showering, working out, or using household cleaners.Chlorine, chemicals, sweat and products like lotions and perfumes can all affect silver and its finish over time.

And please don't store your jewelry in your bathroom. Humidity and silver are not best friends. 😂 When you're not wearing it, keep it somewhere clean and dry, preferably stored separately so it's not constantly rubbing against other pieces.

 

Will the Black Finish Wear Off Over Time?

Yes — and that's normal.

Oxidation isn't permanent. Your jewelry is being worn against skin, clothing and the outside world, so over time some of that dark finish may soften or wear away, especially on raised areas and places that get a lot of friction.

Personally, I actually love this. Your jewelry starts to develop its own patina depending on how you wear it. The recessed areas tend to stay darker while the high points become brighter, which can make all of those little details stand out even more.

So if your oxidized silver doesn't look exactly the same five years from now as it did the day you bought it, that doesn't mean something is wrong with it. It means you've actually been wearing the damn thing. 😂

 

Caring for Handmade Jewelry

Handmade jewelry is meant to be worn, not hidden away in a box because you're afraid of changing it.

Take care of it, don't abuse it 😂, and understand that sterling silver is a material that naturally changes over time. That's part of what I love about working with it.

Every piece I make at Aesthetic Arrest is fabricated by hand in my studio using traditional silversmithing techniques, and many of my pieces are intentionally oxidized to create that dark, worn-in finish that's become such a big part of my work.

If you'd like to see what's currently available, you can shop my available handmade jewelry here.