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The short answer is no. The black finish on oxidized silver jewelry will naturally fade and change over time, especially on rings and bracelets that experience frequent friction and contact with your skin. That changing finish is completely normal and, in my opinion, part of what makes oxidized silver so beautiful.
Those who know me and my designs know that mixing metals has always been one of my signature aesthetics. I love the contrast of bright gold against dark, matte oxidized silver, and the way gold, silver and black can all live together in the same piece. What I also love about oxidized silver is that the finish isn't static. It changes as you wear it, eventually developing an antiqued finish that's completely unique to you.
Oxidized silver is sterling silver that has been intentionally darkened through a chemical reaction. Silver naturally tarnishes over time as it reacts with sulfur-containing compounds in the air and environment, and we can intentionally create a similar reaction in the studio to give CMD's oxidized silver jewelry its dark, almost black finish.
It's a distinctive surface treatment I've used in my work for years, but one important thing to understand is that it isn't permanent. Oxidation lives on the surface of the metal, which means friction, water, oils, lotions and everyday wear can gradually reveal brighter silver underneath.
If you're curious about the process itself, I also wrote a step-by-step guide to re-oxidizing sterling silver jewelry at home.
Rings and bracelets tend to change faster than earrings and necklaces because they're exposed to more friction, hand washing, oils, water and general everyday wear.
You'll usually start to see silver showing through in the areas that receive the most contact. Rather than looking damaged, the jewelry begins to develop an antique-like mixture of black, gray and silver. Protected or recessed areas may stay darker while higher-contact areas brighten.
There also isn't one universal timeline. I've always thought of oxidation as a little science experiment because it behaves differently from person to person and piece to piece. Your skin, how often you wear the jewelry and what it comes into contact with can all affect how quickly the finish changes. Two people can own the exact same ring and have them look surprisingly different after wearing them for a while.
One of my favorite examples comes from a customer who frequents Wilbur Hot Springs outside of San Francisco. Every time she visits, she brings along her silver jewelry and lets the sulfur-rich environment help re-oxidize it. I was so pleased when she showed me the results after one of her trips. Sulfur really does the trick!
Then there was another customer who came into the studio after one of her silver rings had suddenly turned black in one spot over the course of a weekend. I started running through the possibilities and asked whether she'd jumped into a pool. Nope.
Then she said, "Well, I made some deviled eggs."
Ahhh, I screeched, "The eggs!" Eggs contain sulfur compounds, which can react with silver and darken the surface. Mystery solved. Note to self: take off the rings before making the deviled eggs.
Your oxidized silver jewelry will naturally lighten as you wear it, and I don't consider that a flaw. It's simply part of living in your jewelry.
I especially loved the way the Whitney Museum in New York City described this when they put together a collection of our oxidized pieces. They were drawn to the idea that the finish would evolve differently for every wearer and saw that evolution as a kind of collaboration between the person who made the piece and the person who lives in it. I couldn't agree more.
That changing surface is one of the things I appreciate most about oxidation. Your jewelry keeps becoming more individual the longer you own it.
Yes. If you miss that original deep black finish, oxidized silver can be re-oxidized. For monotone sterling silver CMD pieces that are appropriate for DIY re-oxidation, you can restore the finish at home with our At-Home Oxidation Kit.
If you'd like to see exactly how the process works before giving it a try, read my step-by-step guide to re-oxidizing sterling silver jewelry at home.
We don't recommend trying to re-oxidize two-tone, channel-detailed or more intricate pieces yourself, and the same goes for pieces with oxidized components. For those pieces, please get in touch with us and we'll help you figure out the best way to restore the finish.
We recommend removing CMD jewelry before showering, swimming or getting into the ocean. Water, chlorine, soaps and other chemicals can affect the finish of your jewelry and may cause oxidation or tarnish to change more quickly.
Be careful with polishing an intentionally oxidized piece. Polishing removes material from the surface and can also remove the black oxidation you're trying to preserve. If you're unsure how to clean a CMD piece without changing its finish, take a look at our Jewelry Care Guide or contact us before getting aggressive with a polishing cloth.
So, if the black finish on your oxidized silver jewelry is starting to soften, lighten or reveal more silver underneath, nothing has gone wrong. That's simply what oxidized silver does with wear, and I actually love that no two pieces age exactly the same way. Your jewelry changes a little as you live in it, which makes the finish uniquely yours.
If you love that deep black finish and want to bring it back, you absolutely can. And if you're not sure whether your particular CMD piece is one you should re-oxidize yourself, send us a note. We'll point you in the right direction.
With love for jewelry that gets better with wear,
Colleen
© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: March 12, 2019
Updated: August 23, 2026
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SERENA MOORE
August 19, 2020
I don’t know if you are familiar with James Avery Jewelry or not. Regardless, I am the JA Specialist at Dillard’s. I have many pieces of silver jewelry. Some is oxidized. I recently got sidetracked and left it all in the silver cleaner too long. Now, the intentional black parts are pure white. Please help. Too many pieces to repurchase or go to the company over.