I Wore My Sterling Silver Every Day in Wyoming. Here's What Happened.
Can you wear sterling silver jewelry on a real adventure? I just spent a week in Wyoming finding out.
Hiking through Yellowstone, rafting the Snake River along the Grand Tetons, trekking through canyons spotting moose, bear, elk and plenty of bison. What a wild and wonderful experience.
I wore my sterling silver every single day. My bangles, my turquoise jewlery and of course my fringe earrings! Want to know what happened?!
Not a single piece was damaged or lost. Everything came home looking exactly as it should, a little more lived in, a little more mine.
If you've never worn real 925 sterling silver, you probably have questions. Let me answer them.
"What if I break it?"
925 sterling silver jewelry is more durable than people think. It's what I use in every Wildstone piece, and for good reason. I rafted the Snake River and hiked the Tetons wearing mine and it survived. The pieces that need the most care are delicate chains, but a solid bangle or a well-made ring is built to last a lifetime.
"What if it gets dirty?"
It will. And that's okay. A quick wipe with the polishing cloth that comes with every Wildstone piece brings it right back. Dirt is not damage.
"What if it tarnishes?"
Tarnish is just silver reacting to air and moisture. Totally natural and totally fixable. Here's the surprising part: the more you wear it the less it tarnishes. Your skin's natural oils create a protective layer that buffers the metal from the elements. Pieces that live in a drawer tarnish faster than pieces that live on your wrist. Wear it daily and give it a quick wipe with a soft cloth. That's really all it takes.
"Can I get it wet?"
I shower in my silver. I swim in the ocean and lakes in my silver. Sterling silver handles fresh water and salt water just fine. A few things to avoid though: chlorine from pools or hot tubs and hot springs can damage silver over time, so take it off before you swim laps or soak. And if your piece has gemstones, keep those out of the water. Stones like turquoise are porous and water can affect their finish. Plain sterling silver though? It's tougher than you think.
"What if I lose it?"
That's what clasps and good fit are for. A properly sized bangle stays on. Those silicon ear backs help ensure earrings don't run away. A well fitted ring doesn't slip. I didn't lose a single piece in a week of adventuring.
What actually happens to sterling silver when you wear it
This is the part nobody tells you.
Sterling silver isn't meant to stay perfect and untouched in a box. It's meant to be worn. The more you wear it the more it becomes yours, picking up the warmth of your skin and the stories of where you've been. Like a well worn hat that accompanies you on all your travels.
That slight patina that develops over time? That's not damage, it's character. That's your silver becoming part of you rather than just something you own.
I've been wearing some of my pieces for years. They don't look brand new, they look better!
If you've been waiting to wear sterling silver every day, here's your sign.
If you've been admiring handmade silver but telling yourself you'd save it for special occasions, I'd challenge you to put it on. Dust off those pieces you already have and wear them!
There is no special occasion more worthy of beautiful silver than your everyday life.
The hike. The river. The Tuesday morning coffee. The dinner with your people. The quiet moment that nobody photographs but you'll remember forever.
Wear it there. That's where it belongs.
Ready to find your piece? Shop Wildstone Silver at wildstonesilver.co