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Silver Jewelry is often much regarded for its value and its sophisticated look. Yet, it is always interesting and heartwarming how a piece of this jewelry can hold so much more, like a core memory, a promise, and a milestone in someone’s life.
Whether you are planning to make someone happy this holiday season by gifting them or trying to get a nice one for yourself, let us walk you through the things you must know about silver jewelry for your next purchase.
Silver is one of the seven metals ( gold, copper, tin, lead, iron, and mercury) used inprehistoric times by humans. It is a soft and ductile metal, slightly less malleable than gold. Its brilliant metallic luster takes a high degree of polish which is considered its defining visual feature.
Silver displays the highest reflectivity, electrical, and thermal conductivity, compared to any other metal. Because it is harder to extract and is a more reactive metal than gold, silver was considered rare and more expensive than gold during ancient times.
Over the years, silver has made a significant contribution to several fields. This malleable and versatile metal has become the best option for industrial applications, has inspired some technological advances in the mining field, and has served its purpose in film photography with its photosensitivity.
Silver has played a significant role in jewelry production throughout history due to its resistance to oxidation and corrosion. As a relatively soft and white metal, it is typically alloyed or mixed with another metal to harden and strengthen it. Its versatility allowed it to be fashioned in various molds and desired shapes, making itself relevant to this date.
Silver, being soft, is usually mixed with other metals to increase its durability. Below are some of the commontypes of silver alloys used in jewelry.
Pure silver is 99.9% pure silver, almost 100%, and 1% of another element. It means it is soft and is easily bent. With its delicate feature, it is not commonly used for jewelry since it will change shape or form. However, this type of silver is highly resistant to tarnish and is hypoallergenic. Fine silver, another name for Pure silver, is best for less contact jewelry like earrings and necklaces. It is hallmarked with a .999 quality stamp.
Sterling Silver is a mixture of 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal. The other 7.5% is usually composed of copper, but it can also be germanium, zinc, or platinum. The added alloy makes it more durable than pure silver. It is also much better to work with and wear than pure silver as it would not bend or dent easily. Sterling silver is the most common and popular type of silver for making jewelry. It is known for its lustrous and reflective features. It is distinguished and hallmarked with a .925 stamp. Besides its higher durability, it also does not tarnish and is hypoallergenic, which is safe for people with sensitive skin. Check out silver options atGold Presidents for your next purchase. Visit them now!
Coin silver contains 90% pure silver and 10% copper. Before silver sterling became more popular, coin silver used to be the most commonly used silver. This type is used to make fashion jewelry and has a quality stamp of .900.
It contains 93.5% pure silver, a bit more silver than sterling silver. The rest of the alloy is composed of copper and germanium, making this type of silver much sturdier and tarnish-resistant. The presence of germanium is what makes it unique from sterling silver. Germanium, which acts as a thin barrier between copper and air, slows down the tarnishing process. It was practically designed to be more durable than sterling silver. Argentium silver, just like sterling silver, is also hypoallergenic but is more expensive than any other silver alloy.
A base of metal is coated with thin layers of pure silver. Unlike other types of silver mentioned above, silver plated does not possess any durable quality. Over time the silver plating will wear out, exposing the base metal. This customer's jewelry is also not hypoallergenic.
Should you buy Silver Jewelry?
People have regarded Silver as a good type of metal for jewelry. It has benefits that you can count on compared to your other jewelry. Silver is hypoallergenic, so this is best. Suitable for people who have sensitive skin that develop a rash. Compared to metals like nickel and brass, pure and sterling silver are allergy-free. Silver is also known to help regulate body temperature. Since it naturally balances electrical disturbances in the body, it improves body temperature and circulation. Lastly, if the body has excess sodium, it helps avoid potentially toxic environments. It's better to know the strengths of your preferred metal for jewelry.
Yes. You read that correctly! Sterling silver is well-known for its tenacity. Because sterling silver is an alloy, this is the case. Alloying is the process of combining several types of metal into a pure metal to strengthen it or change its physical properties, such as color. Sterling silver of high quality is made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% additional alloys. Unlike gold, pure silver cannot be made into jewelry that withstands wear and tear.
However, keep in mind that only 50% of the sterling silver's quality is due to the jeweler's artistry, and the other 50% is due to good jewelry preservation. With this approach, you can ensure that the quality of the jewelry will last for many years.
Since you got to know about the alloy mixture of sterling silver, you know it is composed of 92.5% pure silver. This level of purity makes the silver hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin. So, before you get new jewelry, look for the 925 hallmarks on the jewelry itself or the certificate of the jewelry you bought if the store has them. Famous jewelry pieces made of sterling silver are always in contact with the skin, like earrings.
Earrings and ear piercings should always be hypoallergenic to prevent allergic reactions on your skin. It is non-negotiable, so think about changing your jewelry if you still are not practicing this.
From 3000 BC to the middle ages, silver was believed to have health benefits that are surprisingly real and not just folklore. Since sterling silver is an alloy made of pure silver and copper, it is best worn as jewelry close to the body to benefit from its properties. It is said to enhance blood vessel flexibility, maintain emotional balance, and stimulate blood circulation.
You may be wondering how that works. Sterling silver may produce an electric field that distributes electrical power and heat throughout the body. The positively charged silver ions create a conductive field, which stimulates the conductivity available in the body, improving blood circulation, thermal balance, and natural healing. As a result, it is an excellent choice for everyday jewelry.
Since the Black Plague, silver pieces have been used to defend against viruses such as the flu. It was just thought to be true, but it has now been scientifically confirmed to combat illness and bacteria.
It is why many medical devices are made out of silver. Silver is a good metal for sterilization. It keeps away germs, which is why it is a favored metal type by health-conscious people. Talk about being healthy and fashionable. It’s a sure win-win.
Some people don’t like silver because it is tarnished by air moisture. However, people neglect that it is also easy to clean. On average, it can last between 20 to 30 years if you know how to take care of it properly. It can even be a great heirloom you can pass on to your children.
With the web full of easy home remedies and DIYs for cleaning various jewelry pieces, this will be a piece of cake for you. There are options like baking soda, warm water, and soap that can get your silver back to its squeaky-clean state.
Check out our simple guide to clean jewelry at Gold Presidents, where you get jewelry with your money’s worth.
White metal jewelry simply goes with everything. Because it appears to be a blank canvas, it has a beautiful hue that complements warmer-toned jewelry and clothing or allows you to add more cool tones to the mix. It is versatile and simple to use.
It is always suited to everything, whether you are at a formal affair or a casual rodeo, which is why many people have them as their go-to piece of jewelry.
Happy jewelry shopping!
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