On Oxidation, Care, and the Life of Silver
Sterling silver is not inert.
It reacts, it evolves, it records time.
Oxidation is often mistaken for damage, yet it is a natural response of silver to air, moisture, and contact with the body. At Noctara, we treat this transformation not as a flaw, but as part of the material’s living nature.
Understanding silver means knowing how to care for it — not to freeze it in time, but to let it age with intention.
Why Sterling Silver Oxidizes
Sterling silver is composed of 92.5% pure silver, combined with other metals for strength.
When exposed to oxygen, humidity, skin pH, cosmetics, or chemicals, the surface may darken or lose brightness over time.
This process is called oxidation.
It does not mean the piece is not genuine.
It does not mean it is low quality.
It means the material is responding to its environment.
Even fine jewelry oxidizes. What matters is how it is worn, stored, and cared for.
Oxidation Is Not Damage
Oxidation affects the surface, not the structure.
The silver underneath remains intact — solid, durable, unchanged.
With simple care, oxidation can be slowed, minimized, or gently reversed.
True damage comes from neglect, harsh chemicals, or improper storage — not from time itself.
How to Protect Your Silver Jewelry
To preserve the appearance and longevity of sterling silver, we recommend the following practices:
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Remove jewelry before bathing, swimming, sleeping, or exercising
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Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, cleaning products, and chemicals
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Store pieces in a dry place, ideally in a soft pouch or separate compartment
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Clean gently after wear using a soft, dry cloth
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Avoid abrasive materials or aggressive polishing methods
These small gestures significantly slow oxidation and protect surface finish.
Cleaning and Maintenance
If oxidation appears, it can usually be removed with:
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a silver polishing cloth
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gentle silver-specific cleaning products
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professional jewelry cleaning
Avoid harsh solutions or rough tools, especially on pieces with polished surfaces or stones.
A Living Material
At Noctara, jewelry is conceived as a living object.
Silver does not seek perfection — it seeks continuity.
Subtle changes in tone or patina reflect presence, wear, and passage.
With care, your piece will remain structurally intact while evolving naturally — carrying traces of time rather than resisting it.
Final Note
Sterling silver has endured for centuries because it is honest, resilient, and responsive.
When cared for properly, it does not fade —
it deepens.
Time does not diminish silver.
It reveals it.
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