How can I measure my ring size at home?

You can measure your ring size at home using a printable ring sizer, a piece of string, or by comparing an existing ring to a ring size chart. The most accurate method is to download our free printable ring sizer and follow the instructions.

What is the most accurate way to find my ring size?

The most accurate way to find your ring size is by using a ring sizer tool or visiting a jeweler. However, our printable ring size chart is a great alternative for measuring at home.

How do I use a printable ring sizer?

1. Download our free printable ring sizer. 2. Print it at 100% scale (do not resize). 3. Cut out the ring sizer and wrap it around your finger OR place an existing ring over the chart to find your size.

What should I do if I’m between ring sizes?

If you’re between sizes, it’s best to size up slightly to ensure comfort. A ring that is too tight can be difficult to remove.

Does ring size change over time?

Yes! Finger size can change due to temperature, swelling, and weight fluctuations. It’s best to measure when your hands are warm and at the end of the day for the most accurate size.

What is Oxidized Silver Jewelry? A Buyer's Guide

August 1, 2025

We adore pieces that change as you do—the kind of impermanent, transformative story told in every patina. This guide will walk you through the magic, the comparison with polished silver, buying oxidized rings (yes, we have some faves), and how to care for them so your piece gracefully evolves over time.

What Is Oxidized Silver?

Oxidized silver is not a different metal—it’s sterling silver (92.5% pure silver, 7.5% other metal, usually copper) that’s been intentionally darkened. Jewelers apply a sulfur-based compound (commonly liver of sulfur or potassium sulfide) that speeds up what would otherwise be natural tarnish, producing a charcoal, gray, or almost-black patina that highlights texture and shadow.

This patina is surface‑deep. Over time, wear might gently polish away parts of it, revealing silver beneath—that’s not damage, it’s transformation. The finish evolves with you.

Oxidized vs. Polished Silver: Which One Speaks to You?

Appearance & Texture

Polished silver shines bright and reflective, crisp and clean. Great if you love gleam—but real life means fingerprints, smudges, and shine that needs frequent polishing.
Oxidized silver is matte, textured, shadowed—designed to hide minor tarnish or wear, and emphasize carving, engraving, and detail.

Cost & Craft

Oxidation is not inherently expensive—but pieces with thoughtful design and skilled finishing cost more. Oxidized works lean into expressive craftsmanship, so prices reflect artistry, not just silver weight.

Maintenance & Care

Polished pieces need regular cleaning with a polishing cloth, maybe chemical dips, perfumes avoided, etc.
Oxidized silver almost embraces a little patina; it doesn’t demand polish—and the darker finish hides smudges. But it also means you avoid abrasive cleaners, chlorine, and rough scrubbing to preserve the intended shadows,

How to Buy Oxidized Silver Rings

What to look for:

Material authenticity: Always sterling silver (look for “925” stamp) not plated or base-metal. Poor alloys won’t hold oxidation well or may flake.
Even finish: The patina should accentuate details—texturing, engraving—without patchy or inconsistent areas.
Weight & craftsmanship: Well‑made pieces feel solid, edges are clean, joinery seamless, no glue or rough burrs.

At NYXA, a standout for this is the NYXA Tread Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings—its oxidized interior brings detail to the piece. That earring isn’t just jewelry; it’s a slow‑burn transformation.

You might also consider pieces like the Eclipse Sterling Silver Ring, where oxidation deepens and lightens across curvature—so each wear reveals a slightly different glow. (If you want details on these or others from the collection, just say the word.)

Caring for Your Oxidized Silver Jewelry

Oxidized finishes are about intentional impermanence, but caring for them ensures they age gracefully—not unintentionally wear away.

Store in cool, dark, dry places—soft pouches or boxes—to avoid moisture and sunlight that can shift patina unevenly.
Avoid lotions, perfumes, hairspray; apply your grooming products before putting on jewelry to limit chemical contact.
Clean gently: soap + lukewarm water and a soft cloth, pat dry. Never use abrasive polish or metal dips, which strip the patina.
If oxidation fades over time, re-oxidation is doable—some artisans use simple kitchen hacks like a warm hard‑boiled egg or small sulfur solutions to restore patina.

Why This Finish Speaks to NYXA Values

Think of oxidized silver jewelry as the perfect metaphor for impermanence and transformation—two core NYXA themes. It doesn’t pretend to stay static. It’s designed to change in subtle, vivid ways. Each scratch, polish, wear‑spot becomes part of the narrative. It’s about living in the piece—not venerating it from afar.

When you buy an oxidized piece from NYXA, you’re buying a conversation between the maker, the material, and you. With each day it earns character, and that's the point.

Not Just Metal

Oxidized silver jewelry = sterling silver intentionally darkened to elevate depth and detail through patina.
Polished vs. oxidized offers a choice: mirror-like clarity or textured shadow.
Buying ox‑pieces: opt for genuine sterling, consistent finish, craftsmanship. Like NYXA’s Castro Cuff Sterling Silver Bracelet and Ace Card Sterling Silver Earrings.
Care’s minimal but intentional—protect the finish, clean gently, embrace evolution.
This style is aligned with NYXA’s ethos: craftsmanship in transformation, beauty in change, life in motion.

Whether you’re shopping for your first blackened band or layering signature earrings, oxidized silver jewelry offers a layered story—not just of metal, but of time and wearer.

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