What Makes Sterling Silver Different?
One of the most popular metals for jewelry and fine tableware is silver. The standard for jewelry is sterling silver, otherwise known as .925 silver. Unlike gold and platinum, silver is very soft requiring it to be mixed with a base metal. Copper is the most common base metal used. By combining it with the base metal its hardness and durability is improved, while still maintaining it beautiful appearance.
Sterling silver in the USA has a standard of 92.5% silver and alloy materials for the other 7.5%. Higher quality jewelry pieces made with sterling silver are stamped with 925. Some of the alloy metals that can be used include copper, platinum, rhodium and zinc.
Rings, earrings, bracelets, cuff links, anklets, necklaces and many other jewelry items use sterling silver. It can be gold plated, silver plated, rhodium plated or polished for a beautiful white shine. A very popular plating material is Rhodium. Rhodium provides a smooth, shinny beautiful surface that is extremely hard while giving the appearance of platinum. Silver plated with Rhodium is also called anti tarnish silver by some people.
Hydrogen sulfide and sulfur in ambient air as well as humidity cause sterling silver to tarnish. You may want to seal your silver in bags when it is not being used to protect it from this process as well as water. Chlorinated water from sinks and pools can also be very damaging to your sterling silver jewelry and should be avoided. Do not wear you jewelry when swimming. In addition, household cleaning chemicals of all types should be kept away from your jewelry. By cleaning your silver on a regular basis you can keep it looking great and enjoy it for years to come.
The first legal use of sterling silver comes from the time of Edward I in 1275 in England. The legal statute at the time called for 12 ounces of silver for coinage should contain 11 ounces 2-1/4 pennyweights of silver, and 17-3/4 pennyweights of alloy. Silver alloy used in surgical and medical instruments have also been found from ancient civilizations including Egypt, Rome and Ur.
Sterling silver in the USA has a standard of 92.5% silver and alloy materials for the other 7.5%. Higher quality jewelry pieces made with sterling silver are stamped with 925. Some of the alloy metals that can be used include copper, platinum, rhodium and zinc.
Rings, earrings, bracelets, cuff links, anklets, necklaces and many other jewelry items use sterling silver. It can be gold plated, silver plated, rhodium plated or polished for a beautiful white shine. A very popular plating material is Rhodium. Rhodium provides a smooth, shinny beautiful surface that is extremely hard while giving the appearance of platinum. Silver plated with Rhodium is also called anti tarnish silver by some people.
Hydrogen sulfide and sulfur in ambient air as well as humidity cause sterling silver to tarnish. You may want to seal your silver in bags when it is not being used to protect it from this process as well as water. Chlorinated water from sinks and pools can also be very damaging to your sterling silver jewelry and should be avoided. Do not wear you jewelry when swimming. In addition, household cleaning chemicals of all types should be kept away from your jewelry. By cleaning your silver on a regular basis you can keep it looking great and enjoy it for years to come.
The first legal use of sterling silver comes from the time of Edward I in 1275 in England. The legal statute at the time called for 12 ounces of silver for coinage should contain 11 ounces 2-1/4 pennyweights of silver, and 17-3/4 pennyweights of alloy. Silver alloy used in surgical and medical instruments have also been found from ancient civilizations including Egypt, Rome and Ur.
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