Creating Beautiful Dark Patina on Sterling Silver Jewelry

Oxidized silver jewelry is created when sterling silver reacts with sulfur, resulting in a beautiful dark patina on the surface of the metal. Contrary to popular belief, sterling silver doesn’t oxidize when exposed to air because it’s a noble metal that doesn’t react with oxygen. The darkening occurs when the silver comes into contact with sulfur, which can be found in our skin, the environment, or everyday products like perfumes and soaps.

At Kimya Jewels, we enhance this natural process by intentionally creating oxidized silver jewelry through a controlled reaction using chemical compounds like potassium sulfide or liver of sulfur. This allows us to quickly achieve a striking dark patina that adds character and uniqueness to each piece.

Since the patina forms only on the surface of the silver, we protect it with varnishes or waxes to maintain its beauty. Over time, especially with frequently worn pieces like rings, the patina may gradually fade due to friction, revealing the natural silver underneath. Earrings, however, tend to retain their patina for much longer as they experience less wear.

With proper care and storage, such as keeping pieces separated from other jewelry, your oxidized silver jewelry will retain its darkened finish and continue to develop its distinctive look over time.