Silver jewelry has always been popular, but it is in vogue now especially. Both men and women enjoy wearing silver pieces and for a good reason. Besides being affordable, it looks way more elegant than gold jewelry, mostly, and it is easy to maintain and match with any outfit. But besides these, there is much more you should know about silver jewelry that will help you love it more.
Pure Silver, Silver Plated and Sterling Silver
Before making a purchase of silver jewelry, there are some key differences you need to know in order to pick the best piece. If jewelry is silver-plated, it means that a piece of metal (copper or brass) were covered with a thin layer of silver. This layer is really thin and it is inexpensive. When it comes to fine or pure silver jewelry, it is usually composed of 99.9% pure silver and it is delicate. This means that it cannot be shaped into jewelry that easily since it can be dented. The best option here probably is sterling silver. It is composed of 92.5% pure silver and jewelry made with it is of the finest quality and most jewelers are using it. It is less expensive than pure silver and that’s why many people opt for such jewelry since it can be shaped and used to make any item there is. So, if you’re interested in this type of silver jewelry, learn everything you need here.
Look for the Mark
When buying your next silver piece, and you want to be sure that you are buying sterling silver, look for the mark. Sterling silver pieces always come with a stamp or mark that is really small, but still visible. For example, if you buy a silver necklace, a 925 mark can be found on the clasp. This is your assurance that you are buying the finest piece and that the piece is not actually silver-plated and they are selling it as sterling.
No Allergens
Another reason why people opt more for silver jewelry is that it causes no skin irritations. People who are allergic to metal usually will buy pieces made of sterling silver because it carries no allergens, i.e. it has no nickel. Nickel is the one responsible for most metal allergies and it is almost never used in sterling silver alloys. The most commonly used alloys in sterling silver are zinc and copper which are perfectly safe. But to be extra safe, check with your jewelry what alloys are used in the piece you are interested in.
How to Take Good Care of It
Just like any other piece of jewelry, silver one can, too, tarnish with time, no matter the price or quality. You cannot prevent it from getting damaged, but you can certainly slow down the tarnishing process with good care.
- Store the jewelry properly so it is not exposed to air. You can place it in airtight bags and add anti-tarnish strips to it. Also, add a silica gel or piece of chalk in the bag in order to prevent moisture from air.
- Keep it away from chemicals and water. Always remove your jewelry before going for a bath or swim and clean it properly before putting it back in the bag or container. Also, make sure it doesn’t come in contact with household chemicals or body fluids and keep it away from body lotions, makeup, or any other cosmetics.
- Cleaning your silver jewelry is simple. Use warm water and mild soap to gently wash it and pat it try with a soft cloth made of cotton. Also, you can polish it in order to prevent tarnishing.
Silver jewelry is one of the most popular pieces of jewelry in the world. The reason behind this is because it is affordable and it looks great in any shape and with any outfit. However, there are a few things to remember when buying and taking care of it, but if you’re careful it will last for a long time.