Silver has come back into style these days, which makes economic sense, as it is much cheaper than gold, and can look just as beautiful. You can of course buy jewelry from reputable jewellers, and this would be the safest option. However, for sheer volume of choice, you cannot beat the internet. Here the whole world becomes the marketplace, and you can find the best deals without leaving your armchair. However, you will be parting with good money, and giving it to someone you do not know, so there is much more risk than if you buy from a physical shop: you can always go back there and complain, whereas with internet purchases you will probably only have an internet address.

The trade off for this risk is of course the fact that you will get your jewelry much cheaper than from a jeweller's shop. They have got physical premises to maintain, staff to pay and expensive inventory to keep. The internet wholesaler probably has his own jewelry maker, and will only get pieces made when he gets the order. This "just in time" inventory system allows him to have virtually no overhead costs to maintain. Dell computers have built a huge computer business using the same principle.

If you do decide that the lower price is worth the risk, make sure that the silver you buy is sterling silver. You can tell this from the markings on the silver: sterling silver will nearly always have the mark of '925', signifying that this silver is of the highest quality. There is only one grade of sterling silver: it is either sterling silver or it is not.

The main cost of sterling silver jewelry will be in the making of the piece, especially if it is hand made. Here again, the internet wholesaler has an advantage over the local jewelry store. Just as you have a wide choice of sellers, so they have a wide range of manufacturers, who may be in a different country. There are lots of highly skilled silversmiths working in third world countries for much lower wages than a local craftsman would command, and this helps to drive the retail cost down even further.

If you are satisfied that you have bought sterling silver, the only thing which should now concern you is the quality of the setting. Unfortunately you cannot check this before you receive the piece, so minimise your risk by doing some normal diligence on the person from whom you are buying. Has he been in business long? This doesn't mean in the internet business, this means in the jewelry business. Does he have a list of satisfied customers? Type his name into a search engine and see what comes up.

One big drawback with sterling silver is that it tarnishes easily. If you watch historical dramas on TV you will remember that one of the parlourmaid's jobs was to clean the silver cutlery. This was an almost daily chore, and while it may not be a daily job for you, it is still a job which needs to be done on a regular basis. Use a retail silver polish: there are many available on the market, or your local jeweller will certainly have one.

To summarise, buying your sterling silver from the internet will be a risk, just like buying anything from the internet. It is more so with jewelry, as jewelry is more expensive than most other things. It is up to you to keep this risk to a minimum by doing your homework on the seller before you get seduced by the low prices.

About the author

Peter Phillips is an accountant and writer living in Canberra, Australia For better bargains on sterling silver jewelry, go to: http://www.money-makingopportunities.com/jewelry For free site building software go to: http://peteract.notlong.com

When someone says they love silver jewelry, they could be referring to anything from pure sterling silver to very cheap silver-plated costume jewelry. Silver can refer to the type of jewelry or merely the outside color of jewelry. But when one mentions "sterling silver" jewelry, they're usually talking about a high grade of silver used to make beautiful, durable jewelry.

Sterling Silver Facts

Silver is a precious metal that has been used to create jewelry on a wide scale since the late 1700s. Though it was used in jewelry before that time, mining in continents of the western hemisphere revealed an abundance of silver, thus increasing the amount of silver used in jewelry production from the 1700s through the present. Silver in its pure form is very soft and will not produce durable silver jewelry; therefore, silver is mixed with a variety of other metals so the jewelry can withstand everyday wear without being harmed. One such combination of silver with other metals is called sterling silver.

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, a piece of jewelry cannot be referred to as silver, solid silver, or sterling unless it has a pure silver makeup of at least 92.5 percent, or 925 parts per thousand of pure silver. The most common mixture for jewelry is copper and silver. The silver becomes harder and more durable when copper is added; however, copper also causes silver jewelry to have a tendency to tarnish. When jewelry tarnishes, it has a darkened color.

Types of Jewelry

You can find almost any type or style of sterling silver jewelry you want - especially online. You can buy chains "by the inch," meaning you can have chains handmade to suit your needs and the desired size. Having your silver chain custom-made makes it easy to create the length needed for your neck size, or wrist or ankle size for bracelets and anklets. No more worry about buying a necklace that's too tight or too big.

Silver jewelry can be customized with various clasps such as lobster claw clamps or toggles. You can buy numerous silver pendants to wear on your silver chain, and change pendants with every outfit! For an elegant look and feel, try handcrafted Bali jewelry or other unique styles that will really make your jewelry stand out. Besides handmade chains, stores usually offer silver rings, bracelets, anklets, and earrings.

Caring for Jewelry

Sterling silver tends to tarnish and may develop a beautiful patina (unique glow with darkened areas). Some silver fans like this look for their jewelry. If you like the patina look, then wear it as is. If not, polish your jewelry with a soft polishing cloth to restore your silver to its natural shiny state. Sterling silver should be cleaned gently with polish cloth. Avoid using abrasive cleaners - even toothpaste can leave scratches on your jewelry! When storing your jewelry, place it in tarnish prevention bags or cloths, which help slow the tarnishing process. Also, keep your jewelry in a cool room with low humidity. If storing in a box or case with other jewelry, prevent your silver jewelry from tangling with other harder jewelry, which might cause scratches on the jewelry.

Sterling silver jewelry provides a lovely accessory for wear to work, parties, and romantic outings. It is also affordable so you can buy it for yourself or as a gift for a friend without spending a fortune. Check out sterling silver jewelry products online and add these fine items to your jewelry collection today!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Learn more about Silver Jewelry.

As a jewelry lover, you may know that sterling silver is an affordable and beautiful metal to add to your collection. This metal is extremely versatile for all sorts of looks, from delicate to bold. With such an affordable piece of jewelry, one would think it may not be lasting, but with proper care and cleaning procedures, you can maintain your silver jewelry to last a lifetime.

WHAT IS SILVER

Silver is a metal that has been used to make jewelry since ancient times. This is a metal that is smelted from ore. Going all the way back to the ancient Byzantine civilizations, it is one of the most enduring and versatile metals available.

Over the years, silver has been used to make utensils (think of silverware), buttons, boxes, and many other items. Silver trays and tea sets have been treasured heirlooms through the ages.

This metal is too soft by itself to be used for jewelry, so it is mixed with other metals to make it durable. When mixed with an alloy, it is known as sterling silver. In order to protect consumers, the Federal Trade Commission requires that in order to be sold as sterling silver/solid silver/sterling, that at least 92.5% of the product must be pure silver.

One of the popular alloys used to balance sterling and add hardness is copper. This will tend to cause darkening, or tarnishing, or silver. Because of this, there are special things you need to do to keep your silver looking its best.

STORAGE

When storing your silver jewelry, it is best to use cloths or bags treated with a tarnish preventative. This keeps the jewelry from rubbing against other pieces, which will avoid scratching it. It is best to story your silver in a cool, dry place. It is best preserved away from any light - sunlight, or artificial light.

To extend the beauty of your silver jewelry you can also choose to apply a thin coat of Egyptian lacquer to your pieces. This will help prevent your sterling silver from premature tarnishing. Also, don't expose your pieces to chlorinated water/bleach.

If left in the air, the jewelry will react to the hydrogen sulfide and sulfur in the air. This will cause a build up that will make the jewelry look dull. This makes the jewelry lose its natural sheen.

CLEANING

Use a low abrasive cleaner to remove some light tarnish. NEVER USE BLEACH TO CLEAN JEWELRY. Some people will use toothpaste, but this is debated since some believe it may be too abrasive. If you wear your jewelry continually, sterling silver will develop a patina. This is a glow, combined with the darkened area. Some people prefer this look, but if you want the shiny look simply use a silver polish.

Another method of cleaning silver of fingerprints, and light grease/dirt is to use mild liquid soap, such as Ivory, in a half cup of warm water. Make sure it is completely dry when finished.

Ultrasonic cleaners are great when cleaning certain pieces of jewelry. However, if you have many types of gemstones use caution when using one of these cleaners.

If your jewelry has gemstones, you will need to factor this into your cleaning methods. Some gemstones are soft, and can have the polish on the stone harmed. General rules to remember for cleaning gemstones:

*Do not use toothpaste, especially for amber, lapis, and turquoise. The abrasive nature of toothpaste scratch the surface. While many recommend toothpaste as a cleaner, it is not recommended by professional jewelers. Do not use it for soft stones at all.

*Opals are a very delicate stone. Avoid chemicals, and even heat. Strong sunlight can also dry opals. This will cause hazing and color change in your gemstones.

*Pearls are also delicate. Take extra care to protect these from other gemstones that can scratch them, as well as common chemicals. These will wear away the surface "nacra" which will cause color changes.

When using an ultrasonic cleaner, you run the risk of losing stones from the high speed cleaning. Make sure to use this method carefully with the correct stones, and NEVER with pearls or opals.

The most important thing to do with your silver jewelry is to enjoy it. Once you have gone through the trouble to select and protect these beautiful pieces, don't forget to wear it. The many choices in silver jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets make silver a perfect choice for gifts. Give one for a friend, and some for yourself. With this wonderful metal, you get beauty, affordability, and easy care for years of beauty. Start a collection for your heirloom items to pass down with quality silver jewelry.

Denise Sanger is the owner of My-Wedding-Jewelry.com which has a diverse catalog of Fashion Jewelry including trendy Silver Jewelry. We are located in Sunny North Florida.

A Bright Metal

Today, women are seen wearing silver chains, silver pendants and silver earrings in the parties. Silver has become the trendy metal these days.

Silver has been widely used since the time immemorial. It is used in various forms like utensils, jewelry and currency. It is a soft lustrous metal which has its own look and shine which is widely admired by its users. It is a chemical element with a high electrical and thermal conductivity.

History and Discovery

The discovery was done after the discovery of copper and gold in around 4000BC. At that time, silver was popularly used in making jewelry and also as a means of exchange.

Silver is commonly found in nature in a mixed state along with copper and lead. The Spanish people claim the discovery of silver mines in Mexico, Peru and Bolivia. By the 16th century, the South and Central America became the largest silver-producing areas. By 2000 BC, the sterling-bearing lead categories were smelted and mined and an impure silver-lead alloy was obtained from the lead ores that were smelted. Later, they were refined by using fire and that process was known as "cupellation". The ancient silver mines were located in Greece at the Laurium lead-silver deposit.

With the advent of time, the "Patio" process was used for the new- world mines recovery. In this process, silver bearing ore was churned and mixed with roasted copper ore, salt and mercury. Therefore, silver was converted to a finely separated state and was finely dissolved by mercury. This was refined repeatedly by the process of cupellation.

In the 19th century, the Cyanidation procedures displaced the Patio process and Thum Balbach and Moebius electro refining procedures were introduced. A huge silver deposit was found in the mid 19th century in Nevada. After that, by the end of the 20th century, the United States emerged as the largest producer of sterling in the world.

Properties of Silver

The metal is a soft and mouldable metal that has superb lustre and is slightly harder than gold. Silver is white in colour and has the characteristic of having the highest optical reflectivity. Also, it remains stable in pure water and air. But, when silver is exposed to ozone, sulphur and hydrogen sulphide, it gets tarnished.

Sterling jewelry- Girl's Best friend

Sliver is widely used in jewelry as a precious metal like in earrings, chains, pendants and necklaces. Women also prefer wearing silver earrings that comes in different colors and designs. Various kinds of stones are embellished on silver earrings to give them a graceful look.

With the changing fashion, sterling is used massively. As silver is a soft metal, it is prone to damage. For this, 92.5 percent pure silver is mixed with 7.5 percent copper so that it becomes stronger. Also, while some people are allergic to gold or other metals, sterling silver does not have any side-effects on the skin and the body. Rings and silver pendants are demanded more by women these days so that their style and status is enhanced in the social gatherings.

Sarah Carnagie is a silver jewelry fanatic, and an expert in silver chain production. You can find more info on sterling silver and sterling silver jewelry at http://www.DreamlandJewelry.com