Tips

When you are looking for something like sterling silver jewelry, it is important that you put some serious thought into where you should buy from before putting out any money. You first and foremost want to make sure that you are dealing with a legit and reputable company, one that has been in the business for a decent length of time and that has a good history behind it.

You should also speak to one or more of the representatives working there, so you can make sure that the staff is actually trained and knowledgeable in this area.

Where to Shop

There are a few companies in particular that you can check out to help get you started. Zales is one of the biggest names in the world when it comes to sterling silver jewelry, and in fact jewelry in general.

They are recognized as being a leading specialty retailer of fine jewelry, and they now operate a whopping 2,200 retail locations around the world. They offer a comprehensive selection of jewelry categories, including circles, hearts, right hand rings, bridal sets, promise rings, lockets, men’s jewelry, women’s jewelry, journey jewelry, gold jewelry, silver jewelry, religious jewelry, birthstone jewelry, personalized jewelry, and more.

Kay Jewelers is another ideal retail jewelry chain you should visit for sterling silver jewelry. They feature wedding and anniversary rings, necklaces and pendants, chains, bracelets, earrings, men’s jewelry, and various silver pieces.

American Diamonds Forever is a jewelry chain that specializes in diamonds and sterling silver pieces. They manufacture their own diamond and sterling silver pieces of jewelry and this allows them to assure the highest levels of quality with each and every piece. They source their own materials from around the world, eliminate the middleman at both the wholesale and retail level, and offer superb customer service at every step.

They are proud to incorporate every step of the fine jewelry process into a single company, which in turn offers them savings which they then pass on to you.

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What Type Is The Best For You?

Many people are not aware that there are many types of silver jewelry and so they settle for whatever the salesperson suggests. Well, you have a choice, and it would be good if you knew what it is before you go for shopping.

The purest form of silver available in the market is marked by 999/1000 stamp which you will find on the jewelry that uses it. However, this type of silver is not recommended for daily wear because it is too soft (and gets bent easily) and it oxidizes too fast turning into an unsightly dirty brownish-black color on exposure to humidity, water or sweat.

If you want to wear your jewelry on a daily basis without worrying about a thing, go for the sterling silver jewelry.  The sterling silver is an alloy which consists of 92.5 silver and the rest copper.  This alloy is shiny white and does not oxidize easily. In fact, in many cases it looks even better than platinum making it a great buy for all occasions and ages. Sterling silver jewelry is given a finish with Rhodium for a shinier look.

For those who are looking for fancy and inexpensive silver jewelry, there is the silver plated range. These types however are for occasional wear because the silver plating comes off if it is used daily or is exposed to water and other elements.  While you are at it, you could check out the nickel silver jewelry which is so called because it looks like sterling silver though this contains absolutely no silver.

Lastly, you have the German silver or white metal which is an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc. This is a great material often used to make jewelry as well as decorative figurines. This is economical, durable and very attractive.

Next time you go shopping for silver jewelry you could look up all the silver types before deciding which type would suit your taste and budget best and in the process have a lot of fun.  Silver or silver-like jewelry is incredibly attractive and fashionable today and as such looks great on everybody.

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Many experts agree that silver jewelry is an interesting balance of beautiful and practical. This is because jewelry is nay made from pure silver. This is because pure silver is too soft to be an effective metal to wear. To get around this pure silver is combined with alloys to add strength and affordability to the precious metal.

Copper is the alloy used most frequently to add durability to silver. Copper not only strengthens the metal but it does not affect its spectacular color. In addition other metals may be added to help reduce the risk of tarnish. This combination is what differentiates pure silver from sterling silver.

Jewelry made from sterling silver is very popular. It is versatile, beautiful, and affordable. It is also easy to distinguish quality pieces. It is so popular because of its affordability and beauty. It can be buffed to a higher polish than any other metal.

Adding copper to pure silver greatly reduces its price, but is not the only factor in the value of the metal. Sterling silver pieces are priced based on the amount of labor and time it took to create the item. The skill of the craftsman, the intricacy of the design, and the uniqueness of the piece all contribute to the price of sterling silver jewelry as well.

In the United States there are rules stipulating that in order for a piece to be described and sold as sterling silver jewelry it must be at least 92.5 percent pure silver.  The Federal Trade Commission regulates that silver items must be stamped with a quality or fineness mark accompanied by the makers registered trademark.

In 2003, sterling silver began being produced with platinum making up the other 7.5 percent of its materials instead of copper. These platinum blends make the jewelry more durable than copper. In addition, platinum does not discolor or tarnish like copper does. Platinum enhanced sterling silver is not yet as popular as the copper blends. This is partially due to the higher price tag for the platinum sterling blends.

Sterling silver jewelry can last forever if cared for properly. The pieces should be stored in a cloth pouch or separate compartment of your jewelry box. They should also be cleaned regularly. You should also avoid exposing your silver jewelry to household cleaners, such as bleach, that may damage your silver.

Also, keep in mind that wearing your silver jewelry regularly can help reduce tarnish and keep your pieces bright. If your silver jewelry does develop tarnish it should be removed as soon as you see it. This is when its easiest to remove and has not set in permanently.

Another common use of this versatile metal is to make tableware. This includes utensils, silver trays and coffee and tea service sets. In fact it is estimated that thirty percent of all silver is used to make jewelry or silverware. Thirty-nine percent of silver is put towards industrial uses, twenty four percent is used for photography and the remaining seven percent makes coins and other items.

Sterling silver is also widely used in decorative work. This is because it has an incredible long shelf life and is extremely affordable.

As you can see, sterling silver has a wide variety of uses and because it is not sold as a pure metal it is very affordable.

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Since pure silver is too soft to be useful to make jewelry it is usually combined with other metals to make it stronger and more affordable. Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver; the other 7.5 percent is a mixture of other alloys, such as copper. Because these alloys are directly mixed with the silver they won’t wear down over time like silver plating would do.

Copper generally makes up the entire remaining 7.5 percent of the metal’s composition. This is because copper can add to the metals durability without taking away from its color or beauty. Because of this, adding copper does not take away from the value of the silver.

While copper can do much to strengthen the silver it also makes it more susceptible to tarnish. Tarnish is described as a darkening of the metal as the silver reacts with the gases, such as sulfur or hydrogen sulfide, in the air.

In order to avoid tarnish build up, you should store your sterling silver jewelry in tarnish resistant cloths or bags. These clothes are usually treated to help prevent the discoloration that tarnishes causes.

Another way to prevent tarnish build up is to wear your jewelry frequently. Pieces that sit for long periods in warm, damp areas are likely to tarnish easily.

Tarnish should be removed as soon as it becomes visible. If it is left on the jewelry for too long it can permanently damage the silver. To clean your sterling silver jewelry or other household items you should polish them regularly. Use a polish that is formulated specifically for removing tarnish. The solution should be a low abrasive and phosphate free detergent.

If your jewelry contains gemstones you should avoid cleaning it in a solution that involves soaking it in the liquid. Immersing the stones in the cleaning solution can damage or dull the finish on them. Instead use a solution that you can rub on using a cloth or other soft material.

The polish should be applied using small circular motions. It is okay to use a cotton swab to get detailed or intricate areas that a cloth may miss. You should stop polishing once the silver is bright and shiny again, even if you think it still looks darker than it should. Knowing when to stop will prevent you from removing layers of silver when you are polishing.

Once you are done, you should make sure that all of the cleaning solution has been removed before storing the silver. Use a new clean cloth to remove excess solution and buff the silver for added shine.

Some people believe that toothpaste makes a good cleaning solution for silver. However, experts warn against it because toothpaste can be abrasive and leave scratches or dull the metal.

When cleaning the jewelry, make sure you use a soft cloth that will not cause scratching or chipping. In addition, when storing the jewelry, make sure not to place it in a location where it will rub up against other pieces that may damage or scratch the silver.

Sterling silver may also develop a patina. This is the greenish color that develops as the metal oxidizes. Patina is the reason the Statue of Liberty is green. Many people enjoy the look of patina. However, if you prefer a more shiny appearance, polishing your jewelry regularly will help keep it bright.

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