Silver Jewelry
Among all of the metals that have been used to make jewelry, silver is the oldest one. Silver has been used next to gold for centuries for everything from jewelry making to furniture and clothing accents. Silver jewelry is typically made from a mixture of 93% silver and 8% copper. This, almost unanimous, combination eliminates the need for a basic carat classification system. Silver can be coated after. Silver is, notably, cheaper then gold, however it is still valued. Its contrasting color with gold gives it an elegance that gold does not possess. Equally silver is, typically, much stronger then gold and is not easily bent or scratched. Silver has become very fashionable, and is used frequently in more artistic pieces of jewelry. Currently there are gorgeous and exquisite silver pieces of jewelry that are available and preferred over gold.
While there are many tips for purchasing gold jewelry, silver jewelry is far easier to select. Because most, if not all, silver jewelry is made with the same combination of silver and copper you can go into any jewelry store and expect to see the same basic quality of silver. However, some jewelers mold and manufacture their silver differently. Some molding processes make the silver weaker then it should be and some processes require welding which also weakens the piece. Make sure when you are purchasing silver pieces of jewelry there are no visible weak points. Don’t be afraid to ask the jeweler how the piece was made and how durable it will be. When you are looking to purchase silver pieces don’t be afraid to look around, while there is conformity in silver manufacturing, many jewelers have different styles. Because silver is less expensive then gold you are sure to find a larger variety in silver pieces.
Once you have purchased your piece of silver jewelry there is some maintenance that is involved to ensure their quality and durability. Depending on how long silver is left unattended, the tarnish of the jewelry will darken until the silver becomes quite black. This layer can be gently removed by rubbing with a soft cloth. To avoid this happening there are many precautions one can take. Storage of your jewelry is extremely important. The best way to store silver is to wrap it in an anti tarnish tissue that can be purchased at most local jewelers. Additionally, if worn often, you will need to clean you silver on a regular basis with a water and ammonia solution. You can also gently clean your silver by rubbing it gently with a jewelry cloth, which can also be purchased at any jeweler. This will remove faint traces of tarnish and if done regularly should keep them sparkling clean for years to come.