Electroformed silver is grown around each stone by hand in our Santa Fe studio, layer by layer, until the form emerges. The silver finish carries a cooler, quieter luminosity than copper and with a little mindful care, it will stay beautiful for years.

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✧ Understanding Your Silver Piece

Our silver pieces are electroformed copper finished with multiple passes through a professional silver bath. Where most silver-finished jewelry uses a single thin layer, each Blackbird & Sage piece goes through 3 to 4 separate passes, building up a substantially thicker, more durable silver layer. The result is a finish that wears better over time and holds its brightness longer than a standard single-pass plate.

Unlike copper, electroformed silver pieces won't develop a warm patina. They can dull or show wear in high-contact areas with heavy use. A little routine care keeps them looking freshly made.

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✧ Everyday Care

• Remove before water contact. Take off your jewelry before swimming, bathing, washing dishes, or exercising. Water and soap accelerate dulling of the silver finish.
• Apply products first. Put your jewelry on after lotions, oils, and perfume, not before. Product buildup is the most common cause of dullness.
• Store carefully. Keep pieces in a dry, airtight pouch or fabric-lined box. An anti-tarnish strip in your storage pouch makes a real difference.
• Avoid abrasion. Store silver pieces separately from other jewelry to prevent surface scratching.

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✧ Cleaning & Brightening

To restore brightness to your electroformed silver piece:

Gentle Soap & Water

• Use a tiny drop of mild dish soap in lukewarm water.
• Gently clean with a very soft cloth or your fingertip.
• Rinse quickly and pat completely dry. Never let it air dry wet.

Polishing Cloth

• A silver polishing cloth is the safest and most effective tool for regular upkeep. Gentle buffing restores shine without risk of abrasion.
• Avoid paper towels or rough cloths, as these can scratch the finish.

Avoid lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, and other acid or abrasive cleaners on electroformed silver pieces. These are safe for solid copper but can damage or strip a silver finish. Be especially careful around porous or softer stones like turquoise, moonstone, opal, or amber. Avoid soaking and keep all cleaners away from the stone surface.

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✧ Optional: Sealing with Protectaclear

For extra protection, you can seal your electroformed silver piece with Protectaclear, a professional-grade jewelry lacquer. It creates an invisible barrier that protects the finish from tarnish, moisture, and skin contact without altering the look of the piece.

• Apply a thin, even coat with a soft brush and allow to dry fully before wearing.
• Reapply as needed, typically every several months with regular wear.
• Can be removed with acetone if desired.

You can also add our studio-applied lacquer upgrade at checkout under Studio Add-Ons.

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✧ A Note on Electroformed Texture

Because electroformed silver pieces have a raised, organic surface, some texture detail may show wear in high-contact areas over time. This is normal for plated jewelry worn daily. The multiple-pass silver process does mean your finish has more depth and resilience than a standard plated piece, but gentle handling and routine care will extend its life significantly. If you'd like the piece re-plated in the future, contact us and we're happy to help where possible.