Why is “sterling” silver special? Sterling silver is the finest balance between the practical and the beautiful. Let’s say you had a water pitcher filled to the brim. If it were made of 99.9% pure fine silver, the handle would probably bend as you were serving your guests and make for a messy dinner party. Silver is a soft metal and must be reinforced to make it functional. Silver jewelry can also suffer unintended alterations if the metal is not strong enough to avoid bending.

Instead of using pure silver, the metal is mixed with an alloy that adds strength to the metal. Most often copper is used. Other additives are occasionally used that claim to reduce tarnishing. Germanium, zinc and platinum are occasionally used as alloys. This is the basis for the sterling silver standard. The sterling standard is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metal or metals. This can also be expressed as the minimum millesimal fineness of 925.

Sterling silver is the silver grade most often used for jewelry and household accessories. To qualify a piece of silver as sterling, look for one of the following marks:

• sterling

• sterling silver

• ster

• .925

In many countries, a sterling silver object that is to be sold commercially must be stamped by an Assay office after testing for purity. This is required of other metal objects as well. In the United Kingdom, the Hallmarking Act of 1973 made it illegal to describe anything as made of platinum, gold or silver unless it had the appropriate Hallmark stamp. This was an historic reference because the first Assay office in the United Kingdom was Goldsmiths’ Hall, which was founded in the year 1300. This is where the term “Hallmarking” comes from. The objects were marked in Goldsmiths’ Hall.

There are a number of other established silver standards based on a variety of applications. Besides fine silver (99.9% pure) and sterling silver (92.5% pure), there is Mexican silver (95% pure). Mexico is the only remaining country using silver in its circulating coinage. However, they reserve the 95% pure standard for jewelry and art objects and use sterling silver for coins.

Coin silver in the United States is dictated by the Federal Trade Commission and is currently 90% silver and 10% copper. The original coin silver standard was established in the United States in the 1820s. However, the use and applications for coins is evolving now that electronic commerce is growing more popular.

History and culture have provided many other standards for silver. In the 12th century there were five German towns that called themselves the Easterling and formed what was know as the Hanseatic League. The league participated in commerce with England. They used their local currency in doing business and it happened to be 92.5% pure silver. The English were most impressed with the coins of the Easterling due to their quality and durability. Eventually, King Henry II of England brought silver refiners from the Easterling to England and by the year 1158, “Tealby Pennies” became standard sterling silver currency.

Beyond currency, the rise in popularity of sterling silver was perpetuated by flatware and jewelry. In the United States and Europe between about 1840 and 1940, proper society set stringent standards for table setting. This perpetuated a number of silver companies. Each company produced a wide variety of intricate patterns that were truly fine art and design. After World War II, labor costs and more convenient alternatives caused the decline of sterling flatware.

Have you ever polished silver? It must be done regularly to remove tarnish. Did you ever wonder what causes the tarnish to dull your grandparent’s heirloom silver? It is not the silver that causes the problem. Silver does not chemically react with water or oxygen. It is the alloy that oxidizes and causes the black silver sulfide (Ag2S)/tarnish to form on the silver. Two products commonly used to remove it are Twinkle Cream and Wright’s Silver Cream. Even though this can be labor intensive, the beauty of polished silver flatware gleaming in elegance on a formal dinning room table provides a truly artistic dining experience.

Today, the artistic use of silver is popularly employed in jewelry. Every thing from beaded jewelry to jewelry charms is made of sterling or purer grades of silver. Soldiers returning from World War II brought charms and pendants back to family and friends. The use of silver dates back to ancient Egypt when it was used symbolically as it still is today to celebrate everything from wedding anniversaries, birthdays, faith and religious expressions. It is often combined with precious and semi-precious gems to enhance jewelry design, beauty and elegance in some of the finest jewelry of our time as well as the joy of everyday decoration and expression. As an example, the following website combines sterling silver beads and findings with semi-precious gemstones:
Fine tiger eye and sterling silver jewelry.

Sterling silver is a practical and beautiful tool to help you celebrate your life.

Author Biography

Janet K. Nelson has done research and written articles on subjects that range from the cultural to the technical. She is an author noted for integrating information and providing a fresh, clear and whole-picture perspective on her subjects. She has written articles, manuals and perspectives for marketing, cultural, media and distribution organizations. She has a Masters Degree in Business Administration. More information is available via http://www.tigereyejewels.com and marketmaiden@comcast.net.

Sterling silver is coming back to fashion, as many jewelry shoppers know, this affordable jewelry is making a comeback on the expense of the more traditional gold jewelry.

If you are not familiar with sterling silver jewelry you should know that it has been around for a long time, the main problem is that sterling silver is not as robust as gold and does not survive time as well as gold. Sterling silver jewelry is for the “now” and it is certainly making its appearance well noticed by all.

Modern times call for a lighter and elegant metal to compliment the darker colors used today by the fashion industry, the sterling silver accompanies these tones fantastically and is also one of the more affordable metals on the market.

It is well known that silver is the most common of all the precious metals, sterling silver is perfect for use in the jewelry industry because it is strong enough to work with.

One issue with the sterling silver is cleaning, sterling silver is durable and has a great shining potential, but it needs cleaning, experienced sterling silver jewelry have learn to differentiate between a daily, regular cleaning and a more through professional cleaning. In accordance with today’s lifestyle sterling silver jewelry is for people on the go, and it needs to be maintained and worn in a certain way, because of its tendency to get dirty it is recommended to apply make up before putting on your jewelry, but these small and petty precaution steps are nothing compared to the glamour of a unique designed sterling silver jewelry.

Sterling silver jewelry is made of a combination of silver and copper, most of the metal used is of course the sterling silver. The differences between the metals have made sterling silver cost much less than gold and therefore be a direct competitor for shoppers hearts, while the older generation usually prefers the traditional gold, young people and fashion savvy shoppers have a tendency to go for the sterling silver and enjoy a lower price for a stunning sterling jewelry.

When shopping for sterling silver jewelry be advised that sometimes it is referred to as just Sterling or “.925”,because of its relative friendliness sterling silver can be processed and designed in many ways, allowing shoppers to enjoy an abundance of sterling silver jewelry, rings, earrings, bracelets and many more kinds of jewelry are produced by all jewelers around the world to comply with the growing demand of the public to the sterling silver jewelry.

Do not be deterred by the need to clean the sterling silver jewelry, it is like most other metals and at its best when cleaned and maintained well, but sterling silver jewelry will keep shining as long as you take good care of it.

Sterling silver jewelry is becoming the sensible choice to those of us who do not want to spend a lot of money on jewelry and still want to be fashionably updated gaining a lot of popularity because of its features, enjoy sterling silver

Understanding Jewelry is not something for everyone, find Sterling Silver Jewelry Information and tips at http://sterlingsilverjewelry.zupatips.com from http://www.ZupaTips.com

As a collector, one of the first and important decisions is whether to focus your efforts to collecting silver plate or sterling silver antiques.

Historically, collecting and using sterling silverware and flatware was a symbol of wealth and social status in England, America and Europe. However, with the advent of electroplating technology during 1800s, by inventors such as: Luigi Brugnatelli (1805); John Wright (1845); The Elkingtons (1840), the use and collection of silverware became more accessible to the broader community. As a result of electroplating technology, silver plate silverware and flatware is a more common find for the antique collector in contemporary times.

When browsing or researching antique silver plate or sterling tableware, look for a 'hallmark' that will provide information about the manufacture or designer and the origin location. This is important as a way of authentication as a genuine silver plate or sterling silver item.

Patterning is another feature to consider when purchasing and collecting silverware. The range and variety of patterns and styles is vast. When collecting, it is not necessary to have a complete set of silverware that all display the same pattern design. The key is to find items that display patterns that can match other patterns or complement each other. This means you can mix n match various patterns and styles to make a complete set of silver plate or sterling silver tableware. If you are fortunate or patient enough to find and collect a complete set all displaying the same pattern, then fine. But if not, then adopt the mix n match idea.

The peak time for silverware manufacturing and consumer usage was during the Victorian period (1870-1920). It was not uncommon during that era for manufactures to produce 100 different items of the same pattern. This trend was in response to consumer demands of the day. Middle and upper class families often entertained with dinners consisting of eight course meals or more.

Historically, 1870 to about 1920 was the peak period for traditional silverware usage. Many makers of silverware would make up to 100 different pieces of a particular pattern. For example, dinners would typically begin with soup, followed buy salads, then fruit. After a pause, more substantial dishes would follow including fish and various meats. Deserts, cheeses and fruits would finish the dinning affair. So within this kind of dining context, it can be expected that a variety of specialized silverware and flatware was necessary. As a result of this social / cultural activity of the Victorian period, there is vast scope for the contemporary silver plate and sterling silver antique collector and investor.

Antique silver plate and sterling silverware have a couple of unique properties. Aesthetically, collectors enjoy the beauty and durability of silver plate and sterling silver tableware. As an appreciating asset, investors are rewarded by the 'stored value' especially of antique sterling silver flatware. This kind of 'asset' benefits investors and collectors for that matter against inflation and currency devaluation.

So, whether you are a casual collector of serious investor in the antique silver plate and sterling silver niche, there are several benefits and rewards that will be enjoyed including aesthetics, utility and financial dividends.

Silver Leonard is owner and Webmaster of several niche focused websites. Collecting and investing in Antique Silver Plate and Sterling Silverware can be rewarding as a hobby or investment. Visit AntiqueSilver for researching and buying bargains.

The most important decision you make, and the one with the permanent consequences, is which pattern you decide to buy. Look closely in eBay antiques/Silver/Sterling/Flatware at the categories for each manufacturer. If there is a collection for sale, search for other listings that use this pattern name to get some idea of how common this pattern is on eBay.

Sometimes you will find sellers listing collections without a pattern name, though that is getting less common over the last several years. Most sellers, even if it is their first time on eBay, realize that they will get a higher price if they do a little research on any of the many pattern identification websites so they can post the actual name of the pattern in the title of the listing.

Most sterling silver flatware will show some signs of use, but silver can be easily polished using a silver cream, and unless an item is seriously abused, flatware pieces will quickly and easily polish up so that you will be proud to have them on your table. Be very careful of black pitting on stainless steel knife blades, as this does not remove easily (or at all), and items with these marks should be avoided if at all possible.

Some sterling silver pieces may require a bit more elbow grease (that means more vigorous and longer polishing) than others, particularly the bowls of serving spoons for example, but generally there is little to worry about with any listing that gives a full description and provides good quality close-up photos. Another thing that can happen is the blades of knives can come loose from the sterling handles, but this is quite rare in my experience and any seller that doesn't acknowledge even the slightest wobble whatsoever in a listing is far over the line into misrepresentation and refund time.

The Sterling Silver Flatware is an online store with hundreds of different Sterling Silver Flatware at discounted price.