To Have and to Hold: Making Sterling Silver Jewellery Last a Lifetime
Sterling silver jewellery is more fashionable than ever, and with very good reason: it goes with everything, adds a special sparkle to every look, is valuable without being pricey and, best of all, with the proper care, sterling silver jewellery lasts a lifetime!
Perhaps surprisingly, sterling silver jewellery is not made from 100% silver. Silver is simply too soft to be used in making jewellery. Therefore, jewellers mix silver with an alloy – that is, another metal, usually copper – to make sure their sterling silver jewellery is as long-lasting as it is beautiful. They mix the silver and the alloy when these are in a liquid state, and determine the purity of the silver jewellery by the ratio of pure silver to the copper alloy.
Sterling silver jewellery – that is, silver jewellery that bears the stamp “925″ and earns the right to be called “sterling” – is made from a combination of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. Silver jewellery with lower-ratio mixes – such as 835 silver and 800 silver (containing 83.5% and 80% pure silver, respectively) – also exist, but their quality is not as high as that of sterling silver jewellery.
And indeed, 925 sterling silver jewellery has a bewitching gleam. To keep its shine, sterling silver jewellery needs “care and feeding”. If not properly cared for, sterling silver jewellery will oxidize or “blacken”. But don’t mind that, for it really simply proves that the jewellery in your possession is indeed made of “real” silver, and is not silver-plated or made with a lower-grade ratio of silver and an alloy.
So if you find your sterling silver jewellery losing its luster, don’t fret – just follow these easy steps, and your sterling silver jewellery will keep its regal sheen for a lifetime:
1. Yes, you can wear your sterling silver jewellery in the shower or bath! Soap and running water help keep sterling silver jewellery gleaming.
2. But no, don’t wear your sterling silver jewellery when swimming in a pool or the ocean. Chlorine and salt water are not friendly to silver, and can have a corrosive effect.
3. And don’t wear your sterling silver jewellery when cleaning about the house. Detergents can cause sterling silver jewellery to blacken, so take off those lovely rings and bracelets before doing the dishes!
4. Likewise, don’t let your sterling silver jewellery come into contact with your lotions, creams and perfumes, which contain chemicals harmful to silver.
5. But don’t worry if your sterling silver jewellery seems to blacken faster in summer. The acidity in our sweat and the humidity in the air are the reason for this.
6. It’s best to keep your sterling silver jewellery in a jewellery chest, a closed drawer, or a cloth pouch which will protect against blackening and scratches.
7. Last but not least, you can wipe down your silver bracelets with a special cloth, available at most reputable jewellery stores.
Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to care for your sterling sterling silver jewellery, don’t compromise on anything less. Sterling silver jewellery is available in a range of styles, so find the items that give you your special sparkle!
About the Author
Home made High Power Stirling engine with fan
|
|
International 53-Piece Simplicity Flatware Set $34.97 This 18/0 stainless steel has graceful styling, perfect for any occasion. Set includes 8 each: dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon, teaspoon and steak knives, plus a 5 piece Hostess Set, which includes 1 each of: sugar spoon, butter knife, tablespoon, pierced tablespoon, and cold meat fork. Dishwasher safe…. |
|
|
Nambe Baby Nambe Loop Spoon, Fork and Feeding Spoon 3-Piece Set $29.90 Nambe Baby utensil set has a modern look for a traditional gift. Perfect gift for the new addition to your family. This gift will be passed down as a family heirloom. 18/10 Forged Stainless Steel. Superior quality. Designed by Sean O’Hara. Part of the Nambe Baby Collection, pair with any part of this collection…. |
|
|
Hagerty Zippered Holloware Bags HAGERTY SILVER KEEPER STORAGE BAGS come in various sizes to store the small and large pieces of your fine sterling silver and silverplate. Now that you’ve made the purchase of fine silverware, go one step further with this once in a lifetime investment to preserve it.Do you love Grandma’s antique sterling, but find everytime you want to use it, it is tarnished? Once you polish it, KEEP IT THAT WAY… |
|
|
man made dream/ same (BLOSSOM GAP 0014- 45 single vinyl record) … |
|
|
made to love LP $15.00 … |
|
|
The Aristocats [VHS] $7.20 Duchess and her three kittens are enjoying the high life with their devoted human mistress until the wicked butler Edgar, with his eyes on a big inheritance, decides to dope them and get them out of the picture. How can these fragile creatures cope in the unfamiliar countryside and the meaner streets of Paris? Only by meeting the irrepressible alley cat O’Malley, a rough diamond with romance in h… |
|
|
How The Grinch Stole Christmas [VHS] $0.99 Under a thick carpet of green-dyed yak fur and wonderfully expressive Rick Baker makeup, Jim Carrey is up to all of his old tricks (and some nifty new ones) in this live-action movie of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic. He commands the title role with equal parts madness, mayhem, pathos, and improvisational genius, channeling Grinchness through his own screen persona so smoothly that fans of both Carre… |
|
|
Murder in Texas [VHS] $14.99 1990 VCII Inc., Starring Sam Elliott & Farrah Fawcett – 2-Tape Set – Original Box and 2 Tapes in Next to New Condition – Same Day Ship… |
|
|
Rescue WHYTR-BB8 W-H-Y Trap For Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets $8.99 Trap is reusable and catches 18 different species of wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets. Works without killing agents. The insects are lured by the attractant and die naturally inside the trap. The W H Y Trap catches insects in 2 chambers, with 2 separate entrances on the top and bottom of the trap. In the top (wet) chamber, they drown in the attractant/water mixture. In the bottom (dry) chamber, … |
|
|
Sterling 156501 Rain Wizard 50, Oak $93.98 Rain Wizard 50, Rain Wizard 300, and Rain Wizard 50 Stand Save Money and Resources by Rainwater Harvesting When drought sets in and rain is short, rain barrels can provide that precious water you need for your lawn and garden. The Rain Wizard can provide plenty of pure, un-chlorinated water when municipalities declare periods of low water usage. During heavy rain falls, a typical roof can produce … |
|
|
Rose Goldplated Cubic Zirconia Hoop Earrings $124.99 These stunning earrings shine with round-cut white cubic zirconia. This jewelry piece is made sterling silver and features a rose gold finish. |
|
|
Tear Drop Opal & Sterling Silver Earrings (India) $33.99 Earrings features white tear drop opalsHand-made sterling silver earringsOpal earrings add a classic touch to any outfit |
|
|
Sterling Silver ‘Silver Lace’ Half Hoop Earrings (Thailand) $29.49 Lacy hoops provide feminine chic on these lovely earrings. The handcrafted jewelry is made sterling silver in Thailand. |
|
|
Glitzy Rocks Sterling Silver Smokey Quartz and CZ Necklace $26.49 Complete your look with this sterling silver smokey quartz circle pendantBrilliant cubic zirconia stones surround a dazzling smokey quartz gemstone in this unique necklaceJewelry is made sterling silver with rhodium plating |
|
|
Sterling Silver Black Rhodiumplated Cubic Zirconia Hoop Earrings $86.99 These stunning earrings shine with round-cut white cubic zirconia. This jewelry piece is made sterling silver and features a rose gold finish. |
