Oxidised silver jewellery
Oxidised and German silver earrings, bangles, kadas and sets, in the deliberately darkened finish that makes the detail read.
Available in the United States. No customs at your door.
Oxidised is a finish, not a metal. The surface is deliberately darkened so that raised detail stands out against the recesses, which is why tribal and temple-style work is almost always sold this way. It is meant to look aged. It is not tarnish and it should not be polished bright, though the high points naturally lighten with wear and that is the piece settling rather than wearing out.
German silver, sometimes sold as nickel silver, contains no silver at all: it is a copper, nickel and zinc alloy. That is not a scandal, it is what most affordable oxidised jewellery is made from, and it holds detail well. It does matter if you have a nickel allergy, in which case look for sterling silver instead and check the listing.
Keep it dry and away from perfume. Store oxidised pieces in a closed pouch, because open air accelerates the change in colour unevenly.
Questions people ask
- Is German silver actually silver?
- No. It is a copper, nickel and zinc alloy with no silver content. It holds fine detail and is what most oxidised jewellery is made from. If you react to nickel, choose sterling silver and check the listing.
- Will the black finish rub off?
- The raised surfaces lighten with wear, which is expected and is part of how the piece is meant to age. It should not come off in patches; if it does, that is a plating fault and we will replace it.