Tutorial: How to oxidize sterling silver jewelry without the use of chemicals. Yipee!

Pin It Oxidizing sterling silver is a great way to add some contrast and character to your jewelry pieces. I also like the rustic, vintage feel it gives to the silver. Oxidizing does not have to be done using harmful chemicals. Here is an easy and economical way to add a patina to your silver all while being eco-conscious.

You will need:
One or two eggs (depending on how much silver you need to darken)
Some water
A saucepan
A pair of tongs
Dish soap
A ziplock baggie
Your sterling silver to be oxidized
A polishing cloth

Step One: Boil some eggs. Place your eggs in enough water to cover your eggs and bring to a boil. Boil for about 5 minutes then remove the sauce pan from the heat. Let the eggs rest in the saucepan for about another 10 minutes.



Step Two: While your eggs are boiling, clean your silver. You can very easily use mild dish soap and water. Cleaning your jewelry will remove any oils that have gotten onto your silver from your fingers. This is an important step to ensure that the oxidation is even. The silver will not oxidize if it is not clean.

Step Three: Use your tongs to transfer the warm eggs (it is important that your eggs still be warm) to a ziplock baggie.



Step Four: Place your sterling silver in the ziplock baggie with the eggs and seal the baggie, making sure it is completely air tight.




Step Five: Use the back side of your tongs or the palm of your hand to smash the eggs. Make sure you really break up the yolk since the yolk is the source of the sulfur, but be careful not to puncture the plastic bag. You may get some egg onto your silver, but don’t fret….it can be washed off!



Step Six: Wait patiently. I recommend checking the jewelry every few hours. When you see the color that you like, gently open the bag and remove and clean your jewelry. I usually leave my jewelry in overnight to get the coloring that I prefer.



Step Seven: Polish your jewelry to highlight the patina. You can simply use a polishing cloth to rub the areas in which you want the silver to show through.

Finished Chalcedony and Sterling Earrings!



Using eggs to oxidize your jewelry is an environmentally safe and inexpensive way to achieve a desirable dark patina. It may take a little more time than traditional liver or sulfur or “silver black” methods, but it is much more earth friendly and economical.

New Agate Slice Necklaces

Pin It I love the look of these Agate slice necklaces. I've seen them called different names (druzy, geode, agate slab, etc.), but I am sticking with Agate slices. :-) I have a bunch in a variety of colors, but for the purposes of these necklaces I used the brightest in the bunch. Hot Pink, Purple, Teal, and Aqua. I simply wired them to brass chain. They are quite the statement necklace, but they are super easy to wear. I made a purple one for myself that I have been wearing all summer and have gotten many compliments!

Sapphire Blue Agate Slice Necklace



The swirls of colors on each piece are gorgeous and unique. No two are the same!

Because each agate slice is one of a kind, I will be updating the shop with new ones as these sell so check back often! And if you don't see the color you want, contact me and I will make you a custom necklace.

Teal Agate Slice Necklace


Hot Pink Agate Slice Necklace


Electric Purple Agate Slice Necklace



See all of the current necklaces in my Etsy shop! Thanks for looking :-)

Summer Road Trip (in photos)

Pin It I'm sad to say my summer is coming to an end. I was fortunate enough to do a bit of traveling around the U.S. for a few weeks, and had an amazing time.

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Thought I would share some of my favorite photos from the trip...Enjoy!


Forsyth Park -- Savannah, GA


Bourbon Street--New Orleans, LA


World's largest wind farm -- West Texas


Sandia Peak Tramway -- Albuquerque, NM


White Sands National Park, NM


My husband Matt at White Sands


Double Rainbow...so intense!!!


One of New Mexico's many beautiful sunsets!

My Etsy Shop is Four Years Old!!

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I am celebrating my shop's fourth birthday this week! As a thank you to all my wonderful customers these past four years, I am offering 30% OFF my entire shop from June 30th- July 5th! Just type "Birthday Sale" in the message to seller box when you are checking out (do not submit payment). I will send you an updated invoice through paypal within 24 hours.

Click here to visit L. Rose Designs shop!

Here is a sneak peek at some new goodies coming soon....

My wedding has been featured on New Jersey Bride's Blog!!

Pin It Check out New Jersey Bride's website for an article about our "mustache" wedding! I am so glad I decided to make these for our guests. It was really so funny to see everyone wearing them and having so much fun with them!



I got the idea from watching an episode of Martha Stewart. Easy directions for crafting the mustaches are available on her website. She also supplies templates! My favorite was the imperial. I made three different shapes and used 4 different colors of fabric to accommodate everyone :-)

Shop Update TODAY!

Pin It I will be adding some new goodies to the shop today! It has been long overdue. Here is a sneak peek of what you will find.


Feathered Friend Necklace: Silver

Enlighten Earrings: Blue Chalcedony and Turquoise Glass on Brass

Turquoise and Carnelian Chandelier Earrings on Sterling



Amazonite, Jade and Wood Bracelet with Bali Silver Toggle

Our Fun, Fabulous Mustache Wedding!!

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Matt and I were married on May 30th at the Abbie Holmes Estate in Clermont, NJ. It was a gorgeous day and we were so happy to be surrounded by so many of the amazing people we love. They say "a picture speaks a thousand words" so here are a few thousand words courtesy of Kella MacPhee our talented photo journalist!