Your Cart is Empty
TEXT RINGS TO +1 (833) 993-0491 TO GET 15% OFF YOUR NEXT ORDER
There are certain combinations I come back to again and again, and blackened silver with warm gold is one of them. It's bold without being loud, a little unexpected and unmistakably CMD. Years after I first designed our BLACK + GOLD pieces, I still love the contrast just as much as I did the first time I saw the two metals together.
Those who know my work know that mixing metals has always been one of my signature aesthetics. Silver and gold are beautiful together, but I wanted to push that contrast even further. Pairing matte blackened silver with shiny gold gave me exactly what I was looking for.
The black isn't a different metal or a coating of paint. We intentionally oxidize sterling silver to create the darkened surface you see in so many CMD designs. The result gives the silver an entirely different personality and makes the warmth of the gold stand out even more.
One thing I always want people to know about oxidized silver is that the finish will change as you wear it. Friction, water, oils and everyday life gradually wear away some of that darkened surface, especially on rings and other high-contact pieces. I actually love the way this can reveal brighter silver underneath and make a piece feel increasingly individual to the person wearing it.
For me, it's all about contrast. The oxidized silver feels earthy and substantial while the gold catches the light. Put them next to each other and each metal makes the other more interesting.
It's also one of my favorite combinations for stacking because you don't have to choose between silver and gold. You can mix both, add diamonds, introduce different widths and shapes and let the whole thing build from there. If you've ever looked at one of my stacks and thought, there's a lot happening here and somehow it all works, that's pretty much the goal.
If you already own blackened CMD jewelry, don't panic when the finish begins to evolve. That's completely normal. Avoid using a polishing cloth on the oxidized areas because it can intentionally polish away the darkened surface and reveal the sterling silver underneath.
If you'd like to bring back a deeper black finish, we offer re-oxidizing options and an at-home oxidation kit for appropriate pieces. You can also read my guide to oxidizing silver jewelry at home. Not every piece is a good candidate for DIY re-oxidation, particularly necklaces, bracelets and earrings with oxidized components, so when in doubt, send us a note and we'll point you in the right direction.
Still mixing metals after all these years,
Colleen
© Colleen Mauer Designs. All rights reserved.
Published: October 14, 2020
Updated: August 19, 2026
Comments will be approved before showing up.
If you’ve ever considered a Reconstruction project, chances are you’ve wondered what it’s actually going to cost. I’m breaking down what goes into the price, how your existing materials can factor in, why knowing your budget helps me design for you, and what you need to get started with a project of your own. [...]
Now that 10k solid gold has officially made its way into the CMD world, let's answer the obvious question: can you actually see the difference between 10k and 14k? I'm putting them side by side and talking about color, what surprised me when we started testing 10k, and why I think there's a place for both at CMD. [...]
Meet the Deep End Ring, a bold new design featuring a 3-carat Natural London Blue Topaz with sterling silver, 10k and 14k gold options. Its arrival marks something bigger at CMD: the introduction of 10k solid gold alongside 14k across our Special Occasion Bands, creating a new middle ground for investing in solid ...]
