The use of silver to make jewelry has been around for centuries, and although the silversmith techniques have changed somewhat throughout the years, the attention to quality and detail has not. The best thing about the current production of Sterling silver jewelry is that it is now affordable to most people whereas in the past only the very wealthy could afford it. So, in effect you can look as if you paid much more for a piece than you actually did. Today – due to improved manufacturing processes – it is relatively easy to choose a quality Sterling silver pendant, if you keep your eyes open to the little details.
Sterling silver is made from silver ore, which is then combined with other metal alloys in order to give it strength. 100% pure silver ore is very pliable – much like pure gold – and tends to quickly lose its shape when handled. The most common alloy used in silver jewelry is copper. Luckily, the addition of copper does not cause silver to lose its color but does make it able to hold its shape. This helps extend the life of your Sterling silver pendant for years on end.
All jewelry that claims to be Sterling silver is required to be stamped or have some sort of recognized symbol. Often, it is simply marked. .925 or with a 9.25. This refers to the minimum amount of pure silver needed in its composition in order to be called Sterling silver. If the Sterling silver pendant that you are considering, is from another country it may be stamped with a unique symbol or a company mark.
Purchasing Sterling Silver
When you are shopping for a small silver charms, you will notice that the prices can fluctuate from day to day or even from store-to-store. This is because silver is a precious metal and fluctuates as the market does. We try to make sure that you get the best deal during all market conditions. After all, if the price is too low, it usually indicates that either the piece is not genuine or that it may be Silver-plated.
Caring for Sterling Silver
Keeping your Sterling silver jewelry beautiful for many years to come requires very little effort. However, there are a few precautions that you should take in caring for your Sterling silver. First, you should not expose it to chemicals that could damage it such as bleach, ammonia, and acetone. Next, you should consider using a commercial jewelry cleaner if your silver product does become damaged rather than cleaning it yourself. Finally, you should store your Sterling silver pendant in a tarnish proof cloth when you will not be wearing it. This will help protect it from scratching against other pieces and it will reduce oxidation. (Natural oxidation or tarnish often occurs on all silver.)
Follow these care tips and you will have a lovely piece of sterling silver that will last for many years. You can improve the beauty of your silver even more by purchasing personalized jewelry. Having your piece personalized with your name with make it unique to you.
