A Look At The Different Types Of Silver Jewellery

Silver is a popular metal that has been used for centuries for everything from jewellery to flatware to armor

. This versatile metal is very practical, which makes it so popular. It is a popular choice in jewellery making as it is perfect for simple pieces or ones with intricate designs. However, not all silver jewellery is created equally and you need to know that before you buy.

The highest quality of silver out there is pure silver. It is graded at 999. In its pure form it's soft although a bit harder than gold. To be used to make jewellery it needs to be alloyed with other components so that it's hard enough to use. Despite the fact that it's stable in water and air, it still tarnishes like other grades of silvers.

Sterling Silver - This is the most popular type used today, especially with jewellery, because it doesn't wear down. As it has 90% pure silver mixed in with other alloys, it is graded at 925. The small amount of copper added to is so it is strong enough to use. At times you may see some sterling silver marked at high or highest quality, which really means nothing. All sterling silver is the same quality; the only difference between pieces is the design and weight.

Sometimes you see silver plated jewellery, you need to be aware this is not real silver jewellery. There may be up to 5% silver in the plating, but that is the extent of it. Basically this is costume jewellery that looks good. However, overtime the silver plating wears away and cleaning it with agents will not restore it to what it once was. This is because other materials are under that silver plating.

A less popular choice is German or Nickel silver. It may be called silver, but there is none in it. This consists of copper, zinc, nickel and sometimes irons or tin. The reason German silver is used is because of its hardness and toughness, it is able to resist corrosion. The silver-white color is attractive, but those who have allergic to reactions to nickel should not wear this.

Jewellery shopping is fun, but it's important to be aware of what you are actually buying when it comes to silver. Because it can be difficult to tell the real from the fake, choose pieces that are clearly marked to indicate fine or sterling silver. You'll see that prices will vary when shopping for silver jewellery, but it is the weight and design rather than the quality that raises the price. When buying handmade pieces you should expect to pay a bit more.

by: Mark Ferguson

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