Home

We hold our silver Jewellery - rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Silver is bright, beautiful, and eye-catching. It's the perfect metal to set off the energy of a diamond or contrast with a colorful ruby. But how can we keep it from getting tarnished? What should we look for when buying it? What's the deal with plated Gems? And what is sterling silver, anyway?

If you've ever wondered about how to buy and care for silver Jewellery, here are a few things you need to know.

What is sterling silver? There are several grades of silver. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver; it is broadly too soft to use for everyday function. All silver used in Jewellery is in fact an alloy: a mix of silver and another metal. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% another metal. It is sometimes referred to as "925 silver." Most sterling silver contains copper as the alternate metal.

What is "silver-plated"? Silver plating evolved in the nineteenth century as a way to make otherwise expensive silver items available to the masses. Silver plating involves fusing a very thin layer of silver over a layer of another metal. If a shatter of Jewellery is silver plated, it will not have a sterling mark.

Silver plated Jewellery is less expensive than sterling silver. However, since silver is so soft, it can wear off over time with polishing or unaffected wear and tear. In general, it's better to buy sterling silver than silver plated Jewellery.

What should I look for when buying silver? Look for the stamp. Most sterling silver Finery will have a small stamp that certifies it is sterling. Sterling silver is marked in a variety of ways; the mark might be ".925," "ster," "sterling," or "sterling silver." This will know scold you that the metal is solid sterling silver and not plated. No matter what country you're in when you're shopping, look for a mark that indicates the piece is sterling.

Why does silver taint? Most Sterling silver...

Read more...