Blackened metal - does it wear off?

[GliderPoss]

Hi fellow PSer's,

Quick query - I love the dramatic look of darken metal on jewellery but worry it won't last...

Here is an example https://www.jessicamccormack.com/signature-3-78ct-emerald-blackened-gold-east-west-button-back-ring

If i got something made it this style - every time I polish it, will the darker tone wear off or fade? I don't want to be endlessly re-doing it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cerulean]

It did for me with platinum. I had black rhodium playing added to create a patina and it all came off within months.

I think it depends on the metal. Silver holds onto oxidization from what I’ve seen

 

[Starstruck8]

I had the same worry as you. So I asked about it at a jeweller's. The SA said she had a blackened snake ring in the safe. She got it out, and - lo and behold - the blackening was almost entirely worn off.

It might last longer on recessed/textured/engraved surfaces, as in this example:

Here is the antique version. I think it’s really pretty. I think it might be a little dark though but I was told it would lighten with wear.

 

[GliderPoss]

Darn.... Thanks for letting me know. I clean my jewellery frequently so probably not worth it!

 

[DejaWiz]

Zirconium?

 

[distracts]

Get silver - if it oxidizes black, it'll be more likely to stay that way. The antique settings that have that blackened look are all silver.

 

[Tonks]

I have one band with blackened rhodium. It lasted less than six months.

Idk if this is dependent on body chemistry or what but for me, it was a no.

 

[Mooshi]

I once had a pave ring that was 14k with black rhodium, the black stayed for years where it didn't touch anything. Where the band touched my skin, only the edges (with extra wear) had slightly worn off. Where it accidentally got a scratch, that's where the black rhodium came off as well. I'd do it again easily especially if it's a piece that didn't regularly rub against any other jewelry.

 

[Gussie]

Silver over gold is easy to keep blackened. You can re-tarnish easily with an egg. Here is a pic with before and after a quick hard boiled egg tarnish.
This snake band is antiqued with black rhodium and I wear it almost daily. It hasn't worn off yet after almost a year.

 

[DejaWiz]

Silver over gold is easy to keep blackened. You can re-tarnish easily with an egg. Here is a pic with before and after a quick hard boiled egg tarnish.
This snake band is antiqued with black rhodium and I wear it almost daily. It hasn't worn off yet after almost a year.

That looks eggcellent!

 

[EEM]

Silver over gold is easy to keep blackened. You can re-tarnish easily with an egg. Here is a pic with before and after a quick hard boiled egg tarnish.
This snake band is antiqued with black rhodium and I wear it almost daily. It hasn't worn off yet after almost a year.

I LOOOOOVVVVEEEE you snake band! Please fill me in on the details!!! And, your solitaire...oh my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!