person_addRegisterlibrary_books Blog

Categories

homeHomearrow_forward_iosSterling Silver Jewelry

SILVER

 

Silver is an affordable and the most often used metal in jewellery. However, it is not only the jewellery where silver is so popular. Its industrial use is just as important, if not more. It is used in electrical engineering, astronautics, medicine, construction industry and many other fields. Pure unalloyed silver cannot be used in jewellery because it is too soft and therefore it is mixed with other metals, especially copper.

 

 

Silver hallmarking

 

Hallmark expresses metal purity which is also expressed by a purity number. It is a three-digit number that denotes a minimum content of precious metal in jewellery. It is measured according to the number of weight units of precious metal to a thousand of weight units of an alloy. It is a content of precious metal in a jewel, expressed in thousandths (1/1000). No piece of jewellery consists of pure unalloyed metal.

Hallmarking act does not apply to products made of silver with purity lower than 800/1000.

Some SR hallmarks:

 

Pure silver is harder than gold. However it is still a soft metal.

The most often used alloy in jewellery is 925 silver. It is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. The copper adds hardness to silver. To enhance the shine and durability of silver jewellery is often plated with a rhodium layer.

Silver, as a soft metal, has a tendency to scratches and therefore it is necessary to wear it carefully. It is not durable enough for everyday wear and so it is not recommended as a metal suitable for engagement or wedding rings.

Very frequent phenomenon is silver blackening or tarnishing. It is the natural reaction of silver with the air. Silver reacts by its oxidation. You can eliminate this reaction by proper care. The tarnish can be easily removed using products for silver cleaning (you can get them at drugstore).

Long lasting beauty and shine of silver surfaces is often guaranteed by rhodium finish that delays the process of oxidation.

 

 

 

 

 

 


homeHome

local_mall
cancel
cancel