Silver is one of the most revered metals used to make ornaments, jewelry, highvalue tableware, silverware and currency coins. It has one of the highest reflectivities of any metal, which gives it its unprecedented brilliance. Most silver jewelry you will find available is marked “Sterling Silver” or “925 Silver”. It is 925 parts pure silver alloyed with either copper or titanium to give it more strength, while at the same time preserving the beauty of the precious metal. The range of designs in silver is extensive; from simple, elegant fine jewelry pieces, to striking and bold costume styles. The metal is most popular with teens and young adults, due to its affordability as against gold or platinum. Silver is a soft, white, lustrous precious metal that was first discovered over 6,000 years ago. While gold was considered the ´perfect metal´, denoted by the symbol of a ´circle´, silver was the closest to it in perfection and was symbolized by a semi-circle. This later gave way to the half moon symbol due to the similarities between the metal and the glow of the moon. In European folklore, silver was regarded as a remedy to various maladies and mythical creatures. Believed to be a repellent against vampires, legend has it that a werewolf could only be killed by a weapon or bullet made of silver. Gold certainly can´t stake that claim.
Buying Silver
Given its low cost, you will find a much larger range of jewelry items and designs in silver than in gold or platinum. You can also find ornamental decorative items such as frames, desktop accessories and cufflinks for men in silver. Here are some facts about silver you should know before you make your purchase:
Silver is a soft metal and so it cannot be used in its pure form. It is usually mixed with other metal alloys to make it sturdier. Sterling Silver has a purity of 92.5 %, which means that every 100 grams of sterling silver has 92.5 grams of pure silver and 7.5 % of other metal alloys. Such jewelry will usually be marked “925”. Good quality silver jewelry will always be made from sterling silver.
Silver jewelry will tarnish over time. This is because the alloys in silver react with air to create deposits that tarnish the surface of the item. Silver jewelry requires regular cleaning and polishing to maintain its sheen. Well-polished silver has a sheen that is even more brilliant than that achieved by gold and platinum! Most sterling silver jewelry will have a coating of a lacquer to protect it from tarnishing. All coatings will wear off with time, and the jewelry will acquire a dull look if not polished.