Of all the materials I could work with, silver is the one that never stops interesting me. Not because it's precious — though it is — but because of what it does with light, and what it becomes over time.
A material with real presence
925 sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, with a small addition of alloy for structural strength. The result is a metal that has weight without being heavy, warmth without being yellow, and a surface that interacts with light in a way that feels alive. Unlike gold, which reflects light cleanly, silver diffuses it — it glows rather than shines.
In natural light, a piece of handmade sterling silver looks different at every angle. That's not a flaw in the surface. It's the material doing what it does best.
The patina question
Silver oxidizes. Over time, in contact with air and skin, it develops a patina — a subtle darkening that begins in the recessed areas and gradually deepens the whole surface. Most people are taught to see this as something to fix. I think of it differently.
On a handmade piece, oxidation is part of the design. The texture and irregularities of the surface catch the darkening in ways that add depth, definition, shadow. A ring you've worn for a year has something a new ring doesn't: history. Presence. It looks chosen.
If you prefer the brightness of new silver, a soft polishing cloth brings it back in seconds. But many people, once they see what a piece looks like after a few months of wear, stop reaching for the cloth.
Longevity, honestly
Sterling silver is a material built for the long term. It doesn't corrode, doesn't lose its form, and doesn't go out of fashion. A piece made well — with solid construction and proper closings — will outlast trends, seasons, and most other things you own.
It's also a material that can be repaired, resized, and reworked. Unlike fashion jewelry, which has no second life, a silver piece is never really finished. It can be adjusted, re-polished, transformed. That's a different relationship with an object.
Wearing it every day
The pieces I make are designed for daily use, not for display. Rings sized to stay on through a full day. Earrings light enough to forget you're wearing them. Necklaces that sit right without needing adjustment.
There's something that happens when you wear the same piece every day for long enough. It stops being something you put on and becomes part of what you look like. That's the version of jewelry that interests me most — not the occasion piece, but the one that eventually just becomes yours.
Silver is the right material for that kind of wear. It's honest, durable, and responsive. It doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. And it ages in a way that makes it more interesting, not less.
A quick note on care
Apply perfume and lotion before putting on your jewelry, and avoid prolonged contact with chlorine or saltwater. A soft cloth is all you need to brighten the surface when you want to. Beyond that, wear it — that's what it's for.