What Makes Sterling Silver Different?
When mixed with a base metal in certain amounts, silver is known as sterling silver or .925 silver. It is one of the most popular metals used today for jewelry and fine table ware. The base metal most often used is copper. This increases it hardness and durability while maintaining it beautiful appearance.
Sterling silver in the USA has a standard of 92.5% silver and alloy materials for the other 7.5%. Higher quality jewelry pieces made with sterling silver are stamped with 925. Some of the alloy metals that can be used include copper, platinum, rhodium and zinc.
Many types of jewelry can be made from sterling silver including anklets, brooches, necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets. Silver can also be plated with Rhodium. This is sometimes referred to as anti tarnish silver. The Rhodium provides a shinny, smooth beautiful surface that gives the appearance of platinum while being extremely hard and durable. This is a very popular form of sterling silver jewelry.
Sterling silver jewelry will tarnish when exposed to air and water. If you seal it up when you are not using it you can slow down this tarnishing process. It is also very important not to wear your sterling silver jewelry while swimming in a chlorinated pool as this can damage it. Household chemicals can also be very damaging to sterling silver jewelry, and should be kept away as well. Clean your silver jewelry often to keep it looking great and you will be able to enjoy it for a lifetime.
The first legal record of sterling silver is from the time of Edward I in England in 1275. The statute said that 12 ounces of silver coins should contain 11 ounces 2-1/4 pennyweights of silver, and 17-3/4 pennyweights of alloy material. Silver alloys have also been found from civilizations as far back as Egypt, Ur and Rome.
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