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By Article Writer, November 5, 2009 7:32 am

Silver is probably one of the most liked materials for jewelry. This could be due to the fact that it’s the so-called middle ground between cheap and classy. It is not so flamboyant as gold, and yet it’s not so shabby as bronze. There’s something nice about silver that makes it a great choice of material for jewelry that people can wear everyday. However, when buying silver jewelry, you must have a bit of know-how about its qualities. This is so you do not get tricked about the quality of the jewelry you will buy.

Stamp of Authenticity

In accordance with the law, silver will have to be marked with either 925 or “sterling”. Basically, this says that the piece of jewelry you are buying is made of 92.5% silver, the other term for which is “sterling silver”. If you’re purchasing a necklace, then you should look at the clasp for this stamp. The same principle holds for pieces of jewelry with silver chains. If you’re purchasing a ring or a bracelet, search for the stamp on the interior of the piece of jewelry.

The Acid Test

Since there are so many cheap imitations that have flooded the market, then you must be careful that you don’t get duped. A cautious move would be to require a nitric test before you buy the piece of silver jewelry.

You can simply do this yourself. But to be safe, let your local jeweler do the test for you. To put it simply, certain areas of the piece are rubbed vigorously. Then a few drops of nitric acid are dropped on the area. For caution’s sake, pick a part that is hidden. If the acid turns green, then it is a fraud and is only silver plated. If the liquid turns gray, then it is authentic.

Purchase only from a Trustworthy Seller

To be completely safe, however, just purchase your silver jewelry from a reputable source. Forget about bargains. Jewelry, true and good, are bound to be pricey. Don’t fall for the fishy deals where people who come to you randomly have what they say is an exceptionally valuable piece that is on sale and affordable only for a short period of time. Just buy from a reputable source and save yourself the effort of finding out if you are getting your money’s worth.

Feel like you know your way around jewelry? If not, then you should visit the homepage of Smykker to read all you need to know.