Silver is a very common precious metal that we see today. Silver looks great with the black evening dress as it shines brilliantly reflects light on its white surface. Nevertheless, when selecting a piece of silver jewelry you do well to learn the difference between pure silver, sterling silver and silver coated jewelry because they make a significant difference in quality and price of the jewelry you are purchasing.

Pure silver which usually still contain traces of other elements is not a good choice for making jewelry because it is too soft and malleable. This means that whatever shape that is formed with pure silver would not stay permanent. Instead what we would want is sterling silver which is made up of 925 part silver to 75 part alloy such as copper, nickel or zinc. The added elements give sterling silver increase strength and durability. Sterling silver jewelry looks shinier than pure silver but it does need maintenance and cleaning. Keeping your sterling silver jewelry in a dry and sealed bag would ensure that the shine would last longer.

Silver coated jewelry often marked by its lower and cheaper price is jewelry that is coated with silver but the base material is something else. This method is often used to cover for cheaper and inferior material like steel that is prone to bend, breaks, stretches and the finish that can wear off.

This is not to say that sterling silver can't be coated. Some jewelers use an electroplater to coat sterling silver with pure silver to prevent tarnishing while maintaining the stability of the jewelry. So choose your silver jewelry carefully for they can even serve as priceless heirloom for years to come.

If you are looking for Silver Earrings then feel free to visit Silver Jewellery.

If you adore the look and feel of silver jewelry then you probably already realize there's vast selection of jewelry to choose from on the market today. This can make it difficult to know where to shop and what to buy. Whether you're shopping for jewelry online or in a jewelry or department store, there are several things to look for to ensure you're getting a great piece of jewelry.

First, consider the source. Look for jewelry stores online or off-line that offer quality jewelry pieces at an affordable rate. Be sure the store is reputable and offers informative descriptions and accurate photos of the silver jewelry that's being offered. Store clerks or online sales representatives should provide prompt answers to your questions and be willing to help you find that special silver jewelry chain, earrings, pendants or other items for your needs. If shopping online, be sure the company offers secure ordering methods before entering your credit card information.

Know the difference between custom or handmade silver jewelry and manufactured jewelry. Handmade jewelry offers added benefits such as the ability to order your silver chains "by the inch" and the ability to choose the type of clasp you want for necklaces, bracelets or anklets. If you want specialty jewelry, use keywords in the search field online to search for specific types of jewelry, such as "handcrafted Bali jewelry" or "handmade silver herringbone chains."

Sterling Silver Markings

Be sure you're getting a true silver product by looking for the markings of sterling silver. Sterling silver contains 92.5 percent silver, or 925 parts per thousand. Fine silver is 99.9 percent silver, but is also softer and may easily be scratched or damaged. Sterling silver is durable for everyday wear and more affordable. If buying sterling silver with gemstones, make sure the stones are of high quality as well as the silver jewelry itself.

Take Accurate Measurements

If ordering handmade jewelry, be sure to measure properly to ensure you'll get the right size. Handmade jewelry may or may not be refundable because it has been made to your specifications. If you need a silver chain, be sure to measure your neckline properly and allow an extra inch or two for breathing room. There's nothing worse than receiving a beautiful necklace that's too tight! Also take appropriate measurements for silver rings, bracelets, cufflinks and anklets.

Accessorize Before You Buy

Learn to imagine what the jewelry will look like when wearing it with certain outfits or colors. Try to find silver jewelry that will go well with several outfits so you can get more wear out of your jewelry items. You can buy a silver chain and wear several different silver pendants with the same chain depending on your mood for the day or the type of outfit you're wearing.

Buy silver rings, earrings and even hair barrettes to match your chains to complete your ensemble. Look for silver jewelry that expresses your personality, whether bold, shy or colorful! Do you go for the daring look or a more traditional style? Silver jewelry comes in so many styles that it's easy to find exactly what you need.

Silver jewelry also makes a wonderful gift for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries or any gift occasion. Beautiful handmade silver jewelry is something you might want to consider as a gift or collectible jewelry that you can pass on as a family heirloom. Whether buying for yourself or that special someone, use these tips to find high quality silver jewelry 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.

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.