Silver Jewelry

March 25, 2011 1 Comment

Silver jewelry is one of the most common types of jewelry that people purchase. From silver earrings and bracelets to silver rings and pendants, silver jewelries are fine pieces to wear both for casual and special occasions. Some people do not like the look of yellow gold, and so silver jewelry becomes the best alternative to match a person's skin tone and outfits.

Types of Silver in Silver Jewelry

Silver is one of the finest metals that can be used in jewelry. The purest silver, which is called fine silver, is 999/1000 pure. However, when it comes to silver jewelry, purity is not a good thing. Pure silver is too soft to be used in jewelry. It needs to be mixed with other metals in order to create alloys which are considered more durable.

The most commonly used silver alloy in jewelry is Sterling silver. This consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. When these two elements are combined, these create a mixture that is durable enough for everyday use and at the same time, maintains the desired shine. In some cases, rhodium is incorporated in silver to provide a tarnish-resistant finish.

Aside from Sterling silver, there are other jewelries that are composed of silver and other metals. These silver jewelries include silver 800, an 80/20 mix of silver and other metals. There are also silver-plated jewelries. However, these are not good long-term investments because the silver wears off after some time. This is also true of nickel silver jewelry. This type does not actually contain silver; it is a combination of several other metals.

No matter what type of silver is used in silver jewelry, it is important to take care of it since it has the tendency to scratch and tarnish after a period of time. Although silver can make a fine piece of jewelry, silver requires high maintenance compared to gold.