Sterling SilverUpdated 12 days ago
What is silver?
Silver is a precious metal that has a luminous white colour. Because pure silver is way too soft for use in jewellery, it is mixed with other metals, such as copper. The alloys make it more rigid, and consequently, suitable for wearing as jewellery.
So what is “sterling silver”?
Silver that has other metals mixed into it is called a silver alloy. “Sterling silver” is a name for a very high-quality silver alloy that contains a large amount of pure silver and only a small percentage of other metals.
Why is sterling silver sometimes called “925 silver”?
Sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver. This percentage – 92.5% – can also be expressed as a fraction of a thousand: 925 out of 1000. That’s why the number 925 is often used to refer to sterling silver. Similarly, fine silver bullion which contains 99.9% silver is often referred to as 999 silver.
Pros and cons of sterling silver jewellery
Pros:
Sterling silver is a beautiful, white precious metal.
It is less expensive compared to gold and platinum.
It’s an ideal, high-quality alternative to costume jewellery. (Cheap imitation jewellery is only plated with a thin layer of precious metal which will chip or fade quickly, making it a poor investment in the long term. Sterling silver, on the other hand, has an attractive price point, yet provides lasting value and quality for your money.)
Jewellery craftsmen love silver because it’s so malleable. Therefore it’s easy for consumers to find beautifully designed sterling silver jewellery items.
Cons:
The main downside of sterling silver is its softness. It may scratch and bend under repetitive daily wear, pressure or sudden knocks. Thin silver rings, in particular, may not wear well over a long time if you have an active lifestyle and wear them constantly.
Sterling silver jewellery will eventually tarnish, so caring for your jewellery is a must. To maintain its gleam, we recommend using our cleaning products regularly, as well as sending your silver jewellery to us for professional maintenance, which includes cleaning, available for a small fee.
Is it suitable for engagement rings?
Sterling silver may not be ideal for jewellery that requires continuous daily wear and is intended to last a lifetime; such as engagement rings and wedding bands. It is the softest precious metal available and can bend out of shape and damages more easily than gold or platinum.
Silver also has the highest conductivity for heat and electricity. Therefore, for anyone who works in a profession involving electricity or handling hot items, silver may not be the best metal to choose for an engagement ring or wedding band.
DO YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT SILVER?
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Alternatively you can email; please email [email protected] with your order number in the subject line and your enquiry.