Silver - The Precious White Gold!

Pure silver (Ag) has a melting point of 1761 (F)/ 961 (C) and its specific gravity is 10.49 units, whereas sterling silver has a melting point of 1640 (F)/ 893 (C) and its specific gravity being 10.36 units.Silver is the most popular metal, owing to a number of factors.

(1) It is a precious metal and therefore anything made in silver has intrinsic value.

(2) Silver is a relatively cheap metal with which to work, taking into account the amounts required to produce small pieces of jewelery.

Pure silver, which is known as 'fine silver', is, like fine gold, a very soft metal and is therefore of little use to the jeweler in this form, except as a plating metal. It is therefore alloyed with other metals to produce harder silver alloys. Silver Alloys:

Sterling Silver

Britannia Silver

This is a higher standard of silver alloy containing 958.4 parts fine silver and 41.6 parts copper. {This standard was introduced in England by Act of Parliament in 1697 to replace sterling silver as the obligatory standard for items of "wrought plate". - Wikipedia

One distinct disadvantage of silver is its affinity for atmospheric sulphur, which produces a golden brown stain or tarnish film. When silver is subjected to successive heating, be it for soldering, annealing, casting, etc., the copper in the alloy oxidizes and forms a grey stain on the surface of the metal. 

What is 10K, 14K, 24K Gold

There are many metals that are used for making different types of jewelry, including golden jewelry, silver jewelry and diamond jewelry. The market research says that more people, especially women these days are found wearing silver chains, sterling silver jewelry and silver pendants.

Whether it is gold, silver or diamond, their values are measured in karats. Ideal Metal for Jewelry

Gold is an expensive and a valuable metal. The metal does not decay and tarnish. Gold is a very pricey metal. The mixing with nickel, silver and zinc also increases the rigidity and solidity of gold.

24 karat is the pure gold. The second next in purity is 18 karat consisting of 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of other elements, thus equating the purity of 75%. The purity of 12-karat is 58.3% marked and has 12 parts of gold and 12 parts of other elements, mounting it purity to 50%

10-karat comprises 10 parts of gold and 14 parts of other additional elements. This the most impure form, consisting of 41.7% gold. The color can be changed by adding different metals and exhilarating colors to pure gold. Greenish cast gold is prepared by adding silver.

Silver jewelry

If you look up at sterling silver ornaments, including silver chains and silver pendants, you will find a mark of "925" that states that it has 92.5% pure silver in it.

925 Sterling Silver Jewellery Information

Pure 99.9% silver is a very precious noble metal, similar to gold in its properties. Its color is white and shinny, malleable and ductile, soft and easy to work with. Pure silver does not oxidize in contact with water or air and does not change colors. Pure 99.9% silver is a very precious noble metal, similar to gold in its properties. Pure silver does not oxidize in contact with water or air and does not change colors. Sterling silver is used to produce durable solid silverware for special occasions, silver trays, utensils, etc. 925 sterling silver is not as expensive as pure silver. Gems and precious stones look even better when mounted in handcrafted silver jewellery rings, earrings, necklaces or bracelets.

Some facts about tarnishing
Noble metals like gold and silver do not tarnish. Men's silver costume jewellery
Last century, most men only wore a wedding ring, perhaps a medal or cross if they were raised Catholic, and their watch. Men wear earrings, studs, piercings, all kinds of rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.

Rose Gagnon is an expert in the field of noble metals and jewellery, specialized in sterling silver jewellery and pure silver.

Silver and Gold Pendants - A Buyers Guide

Pendants are adornments for necklaces. Pendants are often made from various precious metals and decorated with precious minerals or an engraved pattern.

Silver Pendants

Sterling silver is the standard grade used for jewellery. Sterling Silver should be marked '925'.

Gold Pendants

As with most gold jewellery, pendants can be made from yellow and white gold. As gold is not naturally white it is worth being mindful that, over time white gold may need to be restored. A 9 carat, solid gold pendant could contain around 35% pure gold whereas and 18 carat solid gold pendant would contain 75% pure gold. This drastically changes the price. Any solid gold jewellery should be engraved with a hallmark. 9ct gold should have the number '375' engraved and 18ct gold will have '750'.

Gemstones and Decoration

A large number of pendants include gemstones or other decorative materials with varying values. One commonly used material is mother of pearl. Other precious stones may be used to decorate pendants but diamonds are a very popular addition to gold pendants. These are generally set into yellow of white gold of 18ct purity or higher.

Costs

Plain or engraved 9ct yellow gold pendants should cost £50 - £100. 

Brief Introduction of 925 Silver and Maintenance Tips

Anodic oxidation on silver jewelry -- the so-called anodic oxidation treatment in the most direct way is to plate the jewelry with a very thin layer of white alumina. This treatment is being used wildly on silver jewelry now.

a. What is 925 silver

Generally speaking, the sterling silver jewelry sold in the market is made of 925 silver instead of 999 sterling silver. 925 silver is a kind of alloy which combines 7.5% of other metals and 92.5% of silver, and it is internationally recognized as sterling silver. The jewelry made of 925 silver is stronger and more durable. Compared with the jewelry made of 999 sterling silver, the jewelry made of 925 silver can keep its shape and does not deforms easily, at the same time, the surface of the jewelry will not wear too much or need constant polishing.

b. How to maintain sterling silver jewelry

The biggest reason that leads silver oxidation is the oxygen in the air, so the best way of maintenance is to use air barrier, for example, silver jewelry should be put in a sealed plastic bag and then into the jewelry box, blocking air contact with the silver. When silver jewelry is oxidized, silver polishing dip (SP dip) or silver polishing cloth (SP cloth) can be used to polish the jewelry. Claire Churchill loves all those beautiful jewelry and enjoys working in the jewelry business.