Silver
Down through history, silver has been considered a precious metal and in some cultures it was valued more highly than gold, being commonly associated with the moon and spirituality during those times. Since it is the element most conductive of both heat and electricity, silver’s value is intrinsic rather than purely ornamental. While today both platinum and gold exceed it in value, silver jewelry is still widely used. The metal itself has other applications in other fields such as clothing, medicine, coins, photographic equipment and mirrors. Due to its attractive color, silver is favored as a lower cost alternative to the other more expensive precious metals, with sterling silver being cheaper than fine silver.
Sterling silver jewelry utilizes an alloy (compound of metals) that generally includes copper. This is the most common form of silver used for jewelry because the combination of these two metals creates a much more durable alloy that holds up better for the wear and tear put on traditional jewelry, especially those pieces that one intends to wear on a daily basis. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates how silver jewelry can be termed when it is sold and unless a piece has at least 92.5% silver it cannot be termed silver, sterling, solid silver, sterling silver or even utilize the abbreviation Ster. When a piece reads either 925 or 92.5 this means that it meets the commonly held standard, allowing it to be considered sterling silver jewelry in the official sense. Most other nations around the world follow a similar philosophy.
Unlike gold, silver will tarnish and so its care is crucial. A soft cloth or toothbrush and warm water are the best ways to care for silver jewelry, but some people prefer to use specialized cleaners. If one uses a special cleaning solution it is very important to ensure that the solution will not damage any of the gems or other precious metals used in the jewelry. Some people prefer not to treat the silver, though, and appreciate the blackening effect on the silver, known as a ‘patina’, because they feel that it adds character to their jewelry. If this is the case then one does not need to use any means of cleaning the jewelry and can simply allow it to age naturally.
While it is certainly an attractive alternative to more expensive gold jewelry, one must be careful when considering silver jewelry because there are definite instances when it would be deemed inappropriate to select silver instead of gold. For engagement rings and wedding bands, silver is not a good choice because gold is traditionally chosen due to the fact that it does not tarnish. This is a symbolic value, but much of jewelry itself is about symbolism so erring in this area can create an unintended offense, particularly for men who are choosing jewelry with which they hope to impress a woman. For other pieces, such as dress rings, pendants, bracelets or necklaces, silver can be a good choice but if one intends to give silver jewelry as a gift it is best to find out the wearer’s taste in advance to avoid purchasing something they would not like.
Tags: silver guide, silver jewelry, silver jewlery guide