Everything you need to know about silver jewelry

Extremely functional, with great appearance, and yet available at an affordable price. These are undoubtedly words that perfectly describe what silver jewelry is. Find out what advantages and disadvantages it has and how to take care of it.

What is silver jewelry really?

The 925 alloy known to everyone in the jewelry industry is the material that is most often used in the production of silver rings, pendants, necklaces or signet rings. What is the mentioned alloy 925 really?

As you know, the most common materials selected for the production of small size jewelry are silver and gold. But why is this the case? Both gold and silver are characterized by very high plasticity, which allows jewelers to create various patterns, shapes and details. Few people realize that it would be impossible to make good-quality jewelry made of 100% silver. All because of the plasticity of this metal. After giving the silver jewelry a form and appropriate, detailed decorations, it should be hardened. This will keep your jewelry in good shape for a much longer time. Then it will not crumble, bend or suddenly crack.

The name of the 925 silver sample comes from its specific composition. Silver, as in the case of gold jewelry, should be mixed with other metal when making an alloy for ornaments. The most commonly used alloy around the world is in fact 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal origin, which is to harden the whole before it solidifies. In the remaining 7.5%, copper is used most often. It gives durability to the final products and is also a very cheap and easily available metal.

How is silver jewelry prices qualifying?

As it is commonly known, the prices of silver do not fluctuate in high amounts, therefore decorations made of this metal are eagerly bought by less wealthy users. Nevertheless, the prices between silver jewelry of a similar size can differ by almost one hundred percent. What makes this difference? It should be noted here that notwithstanding the addition of a different metal to the total alloy, we cannot notice a noticeable change in the amount due to this reason. Whether the metal added to harden the silver will be expensive or cheap, it is only a few percent of the total.

Unlike with platinum, gold or even diamond jewelery, in the case of silver, the working time of the jeweler is responsible for the final price. Due to the slight differences in the weight of silver jewelry, the price will be dictated by how many details have been refined on the silver ornament. The more sophisticated and complicated the design, the higher the price can be expected in the case of silver trinkets.

How to keep our silver jewelry in good condition for many years?

The care of silver jewelry is undoubtedly a topic that will interest every owner of it. Since we decided to exchange our hard-earned money for rings, pendants, amulets, it is worth taking care of them properly so that they retain their unique appearance for a long time. It should be remembered that silver is a metal that, unfortunately, is susceptible to both chemical and mechanical damage. This means that we must avoid contact of our valuables with all kinds of detergents. Forget wearing your favorite silver ring in situations like:

– washing dishes

– soaking clothes in bleach

– washing tiles with caustic agents

– touching with silver to any cleaning agents, or even those that emit intense vapors (e.g. solvents).

All the actions described above can lead to permanent discoloration of our silver alloy. Another bad news is that our inattention, which will lead to the discoloration of the ornaments, will create a permanent blemish. Once discolored, in most cases the metal will not be cleanable or discolored.

Prevention also plays a significant role here. It is worth washing our silver trinkets with damp cloths from time to time. A raid is deposited on them. If it is allowed to stay on jewelry for a long time, it will lead to permanent discoloration or corrosion. If you do not wear your silver rings and pendants, remember to wipe them from time to time.

Another aspect is also related to the prevention of our silver jewelery. Proper storage of silverware should be taken into account if we do not want to expose them to losing their original glow too quickly. Placing silver alloys on a desk in an airy room is not a very good idea. The same applies to cabinets, shelves and all kinds of places that like to collect dust. Free access of oxygen accelerates the corrosion of silver jewelry, which will naturally make it lose its pure, shiny color over time.

The best solution for storing silver jewelry is to put it in the boxes that were received when you purchased them. Most jewelers offer small boxes with closures that should be tightly filled with soft material. A sponge will work here.

 

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