Looking to buy silver jewelry? Keep reading to find out more.
Silver along with gold, platinum, palladium is a member of the precious metal family. These metals are hard to find and are loved not only because of the way they look but their amazing properties and people’s ability to customize them and make it into something very appealing and beautiful.
When we think of silver, we think of silver jewelry but that is not all that silver is good for. Silver is used to make dishes, utensils, it has some great anti-bacterial properties and is used in the medical field as well. A lot of the times, silver is used to make showpieces and even dishes that people often eat from on the regular basis.
Silver is probably the most frequently brought precious metal because it is easily available, it has a much lesser price than all the other precious metals, it can be customized a lot, and if often available in a wide range. It is safe to say that silver is the most beloved precious metal of all and is slowly coming into a trend because of the sleek design and color it is able to provide.
Types of Silver
When one comes to learn how to buy silver jewelry, it is important to know that they come in many types and it is better to do the research beforehand to know which type of silver suits your needs the most.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is the most well-known and most commonly used silver in jewelry. This is the type of silver that has 92.5% pure silver and the rest is composed of metal alloys like copper-nickel. This type of silver is on the stronger side and more durable. If you want to make sure that you are buying genuine sterling silver jewelry, look for a hallmark or the words STER, STERLING, STG, or Sterling Silver on the piece that you wish to buy.
Sterling silver is super durable, easy to find, and can practically last through anything. It can be polished if the surface encounters any damage, and the silver is resizable and the repairs for it are priced reasonably. So, don’t worry about getting this one!
Fine Silver
This as close as it gets to pure silver. Fine silver is made of 99.9% silver and the remaining are metal traces. If you are someone who wants to buy silver jewelry, it is important to note that fine silver is probably not your best choice. This type of silver is way too soft, breaks easily, and loses shape over time. One can use fine silver to make earrings or necklaces. This type of silver can be identified by the hallmark .999.
Silver Plate
Silverplate is the same thing as a gold plate. They are essentially the same thing; like a gold plate, silver plating is a thin layer of silver that goes over another metal, usually copper. This type of silver jewelry contains much less of the precious metals and the plating can wear off over time. There are many other types of silver that are available on the market like Britannia silver, coin silver, German silver, nickel silver, tribal silver, and Mexican silver.
Silver Tarnishing and How to Prevent it
We all know that silver jewelry is subjected to tarnish and it loses the shine it first came with and eventually turns black. However, fine silver does not tarnish easily and it keeps its color. On the other hand, sterling silver tarnishes when exposed to chemicals and humidity.
This happens because the other metals present react with air and sulfur and cause the silver jewelry to take harm. If it is exposed to makeup, perfume, and other chemicals, the tarnishing process can become quicker and it can cause discoloration.
While tarnishing is a natural process and cannot be stopped, it can certainly be slowed down by multiple methods. First thing us how you store your silver jewelry. It is recommended that you keep your silver in an airtight bag or a box with anti-tarnishing strips inside to prevent tarnishing and slow down the process.
The second thing to do is to keep it away from chemicals. Anything from body oils to household cleaning items can speed up the process of tarnishing and even cause damage to your jewelry. It is best to keep it away from makeup, perfumes, lotions, etc. Make sure you take it off while showering and swimming and always clean your silver jewelry before keeping it inside.
The last thing you can do is keep your jewelry clean. You can use soap and water to wash your silver jewelry and use a soft cloth to wipe it. This will slow down the tarnishing process. Another way is to get your jewelry polished regularly by a professional.
Sterling Silver and White Gold
While sterling silver and white gold can appear identical there are some very significant diffrences between these both precious metals.
Price: While both are precious metals, the price of sterling silver is far lesser when compared to white gold.
Maintenance: White gold requires little to no care as we know that gold does not oxidize or tarnish for the matter. White gold does not require much cleaning but the rhodium plating on top can wear off and can only be reapplied by a professional.
Durability: While white gold is much more resistant to damage, scratches, and impact, sterling silver is more durable.
Silver Jewelry: How to buy it?
While there are many things to consider while buying silver jewelry like buying from a reputable buyer, checking the hallmark, being aware of the components in your jewelry, we will take that burden right off of your hands!
At The Accessory Consultant, you will find nothing but premium quality silver at the best prices! Whether you are a jewelry designer or an individual buyer, we are here to cover all your silver needs! We offer premium quality precious metals and make jewelry that is perfect for you and your loved ones! So, join our family today to get the best silver jewelry!
