![]() ![]() Blackened finishes which have been applied to the recesses of a design tend to hold their color best while the raised areas of the piece polish up over time. Rings and bracelets tend not to hold their color quite as long since they rub on things we touch more frequently. Oxidized finishes have the longest life on pieces that come into minimal contact with their surroundings, such as earrings and necklaces. The look of your blackened silver piece will gradually change over time, so it’s best to brace yourself for the evolution of the piece when you purchase it. ![]() Over time and depending on the amount of wear you give your pieces, the oxidized finish will polish off and the true color of the silver will shine through. Just the top layer of metal particles have been given that blackened color. Like other patinas, oxidized silver is just a surface treatment and does not change the internal color or properties of the metal.Īs I mentioned before, oxidized silver is only a surface treatment. But with a controlled application, a whole rainbow of colors can be achieved including blues, purples, yellows, and reds. At full strength, the color will appear a matte gunmetal black. The range of colors that can be achieved from this process is extensive. We jewelers use a chemical compound such as liver of sulphur, a potassium sulfide, to create the blackened surface on silver jewelry. ![]() But nevertheless, the industry terminology has stuck although it’s not technically correct. A layer of silver sulfide forms on the exterior of the metal giving it a blackened look.Ī quick aside: The term oxidizing is a misnomer since the process is caused by the introduction of sulfides and not oxygen. This patina, a surface color that occurs when the silver is introduced to sulfides, is a sped up version of the natural tarnishing process. Its contrasting color makes gemstones and diamonds pop! But you also may be wondering what exactly is oxidized silver? And just as important, how should you expect it to wear over time?Ī piece of blackened or oxidized silver is true sterling silver, but it’s surface has been intentionally darkened through by introducing it to a chemical process. Materials such as dichroic glass and art glass evidence designers' unlimited imagination, while flowers, hearts, butterflies and stars captivate with their reverence for nature.From contemporary jewelry designs to art jewelry and sculpture, you’ve likely seen a lot more blackened silver these days. Silver filigree chandelier earrings recall Andean grandeur, while Mexican designers channel Frida Kahlo and Picasso with button earrings. There are dangle earrings from Indonesia and India that lure with their exotic elegance, while Thai and Brazilian hoop earrings range from tribal and ethnic to modern-day chic. Novica's vast earrings collection hosts a variety of styles and materials. The 1960's impacted jewelry styles, a happy advent for designers around the world! The earring was first made of bone, metal, and wood the Sumerians introduced the use of precious stones. Men's earrings were fashionable in Elizabethan England, and for centuries simple hoop earrings were associated with sailors and gypsies. In fact, it was the Greeks who developed the pendant type – little figures of Cupid were the most popular. ![]() In ancient Egypt, earrings for men denoted status, whereas in Greece and Rome earrings were only worn by women. The earliest forms of earrings date back to the Bronze Age and ever since then, their use has been dictated by social values and trends. ![]()
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