7 Things You Should Know About Silver Jewelry
Are you interested in learning about silver jewelry? Then check out some things you should consider before making your next purchase.
Keyword(s): silver jewelry
Silver has always been a popular choice for jewelry, decor, and more. However, sterling silver jewelry is making a comeback in a big way. More and more people are choosing silver jewelry over gold to stay up to date with the latest beauty trends.
If you're looking to add more jewelry to your jewelry box, here are seven things you should know about silver jewelry before your next purchase.
1. Different Types of Silver
Before you make your purchase, you should be aware that there are three main types of silver on the market. Let's take a close look at each of them.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is the most common and found in most silver jewelry. Sterling silver is made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. The addition of copper makes sterling silver hard and also malleable, making it easy to work with and create different kinds of jewelry such as necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings.
You'll want to be sure you are purchasing real sterling silver before handing over your credit card. All sterling silver pieces are marked and stamped with a .925 or an abbreviation of "sterling" to let you know it's real.
Fine Silver
Fine silver is the purest form of silver at 99.9%. Fine silver may seem like the best type of silver to use for jewelry, but it is actually a very soft metal. Because of this, it can be easily damaged and can change form over time.
Silver Plate
The metal that makes up a silver-plated product is not actually silver, but another metal that is then covered with a thin silver plate on top. Depending on the type of metal used, such as copper, your jewelry can be pretty durable. However, because it is only a coating, silver-plated jewelry can tarnish easily.
Silver-plated jewelry is considered a lower-quality silver and is therefore much less expensive than sterling.
2. How to Maintain Your Jewelry
Even though sterling silver is the most durable of all silver jewelry, it can tarnish when exposed to heat, air, or moisture. However, there are some precautions you can take to help prolong this.
The first step in maintaining your jewelry is to keep it dry. Remember to take off your silver jewelry before taking a shower or swimming. The sweat and grease from your hands can also cause corrosion over time. You should also avoid getting lotions or serums on your jewelry.
You can also store your items in closed storage spaces so they aren't overly exposed to air. Purchase anti-tarnish bags to help keep them enclosed.
How to Clean Silver Jewelry
Keeping your jewelry clean is a great way to keep it staying shiny and fresh. Be sure to give your pieces a cleaning once a month or after each use if possible.
Silver jewelry cleaner or polish are great cleaning methods. There are also many home remedies you can use instead of polish. Try washing with warm water and soap. You can also use toothpaste, baking powder, or vinegar to keep your silver clean.
3. Are You Allergic to Silver?
One of the reasons why sterling silver is so popular is because most people with allergies can wear it without having an allergic reaction. Nickel-free metals, like silver, are commonly known for being hypoallergenic.
There is, however, a small exception to this rule. We know that sterling silver is also made with 7.5% of other metals. Most often, the 7.5% is copper, which is also nickel-free. However, if the other 7.5% is made up of non-nickel-free metals, you could potentially have an allergic reaction to the jewelry.
An allergic reaction can cause your skin to turn red and itchy. To avoid this, your best bet is to go with sterling silver jewelry that has the smallest chance of causing an allergic reaction.
4. How to Style Your Jewelry
Silver jewelry is beautiful on its own, but there are ways to style your jewelry to keep it looking fresh and new. Jewelry layering, for example, is a big trend in the beauty world. Layer your necklaces with one long and one short to create some definition and a sophisticated look.
You can also compliment your stand-out silver with more subtle pieces. Try wearing small rings to support a pair of large hoop earrings to help them stand out and complete the look. You can also utilize your silver chains with a variety of different pendants and stones to constantly create new looks.
5. Different Ways to Buy
If you're looking for one piece of silver jewelry, there are many retailers whose quality you can trust. However, it is still important to check their credibility by looking at reviews when purchasing higher-priced items.
If you're looking to purchase wholesale silver jewelry, you may want to shop around to find the right seller. Artists who need silver for jewelry-making businesses or hobbies should buy wholesale to get the most bang for their buck, as bigger quantities often result in bigger discounts.
Be sure you look for a reputable wholesaler with loads of positive reviews and testimonials. Schedule a consultation with their staff before buying so you can go over the terms of your purchase.
6. Sterling Silver vs. Gold
When purchasing jewelry, consumers tend to buy silver or gold pieces. Both are precious high-quality metals and very durable. In fact, sterling silver and white gold are easy metals to mix up because of their similar color and look.
The biggest difference between sterling silver and gold is the price. Gold, white gold, and rose gold tend to be about 75 times more than the price of sterling silver. Although sterling silver is less expensive, it is still a durable, beautiful metal that makes for some amazing jewelry items.
7. Value
Sterling silver is an inexpensive option when buying jewelry. However, it also holds a ton of value!
Silver can be worth up to $20 an ounce or more depending on if it's vintage, what type of silver it is, and if it was well taken care of. If you're looking to sell some of your older silver pieces—including tableware, picture frames, and jewelry—rest assured that you can make a decent profit.
Silver Jewelry
There are many ways in which you can purchase, wear, maintain, and even sell your silver jewelry. Be sure you know the type of silver you're buying and the best way to prolong its life and shine, and don't forget to have fun styling your jewelry with other pieces and clothing.
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