Silver the Metal

Silver, used in its raw form, is about 99.9% pure and is too soft for producing large durable objects which is why in Sterling silver, copper is alloyed with the silver metal to give the metal strength while retaining the same physical characteristics of ductility and high metal content of fine silver.

Origin of Sterling

Silver sterling was a term coined in England during the 13th century. There are several sources of the term sterling and one of these is when it was first mentioned as sterilensis in 1070 AD. Sterling silver then started appearing more frequently in the history books by 1200 AD. The origin of sterling is known to come from esterlin (Old Norman French) which means little star and steire (Old English) which means strong, immovable and firm.

How Sterling Silver Was Introduced in Households

Sterling Silver was initially popularized during the period of 1840 to 1940 in the US and Europe. The hype with silver started with flatwares which became the standard when setting the table in any household. During the Victorian period, the number of courses increased from three to ten or more courses. Even the forks, spoons and knives used were customized to match the courses offered.

Slowly the silver craze was extended to other objects used both in offices and homes. But by World War II, the costs increased so much so that sterling fell out of favor around that time. At that point, only the well-off could afford to maintain the number of servants required for the ten courses served during meals.

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Most of the women today love to shop and one of the popular shopping items they buy is jewelry. Silver jewelry are one of the most hottest and known jewelry for women for they are very versatile and affordable to the public. Shopping for jewelry can be quite exhausting. If you are a man looking for a perfect gift this Valentine's Day, it would be perfect to choose silver pendant. This way you will have a 60 percent assurance that your woman will love it.

If you want your woman to wear your gift for any event that she is going to then silver pendant is a perfect choice you can give. More often than not, silver jewelries are considered to be the best accessories that can go well with all kinds of outfits. Silver pendant can go with any outfit even if she wears a simple outfit, she will definitely look elegant. Jewelries can make a boring outfit looks lively.

However, if you want your girl to wear the gift in a big parties like ball. Choose a silver pendant studded with cubic zirconia, diamonds or gemstones that fit her outfit and personality. Sometimes a cubic zirconia are mistaken to be diamonds because of their visual likeness that only an expert can differentiate. She would definitely look stunning and dressy as long as you give her the right silver jewelry.

For Valentine's Day a heart silver pendant is perfect. It is a classic gift that women appreciate any time of the year, not just for Valentine's Day. Heart pendants are usually given to women who are in a relationship. Heart is universally known to be a symbol of love and are best token that represents ones love and friendship. Pendants are worn near a woman's heart which means the wearer will always remember the person who give it to her and will always have a special part in her heart. That is why most women prefer heart shape pendants. Silver pendants are not just desirable for necklaces, but also with bracelets and anklets. Pendants comes in different styles and stones such as pendants with different choices of gemstones such as rubies, diamonds, opals, emeralds, pearls, turquoise and sapphires. But no matter what the style of the silver pendant is, it would definitely get some attention from all those who see it. Pendant that is paired with the right type of necklace, bracelet or anklet can be the perfect accessory for simple clothes like shirt and jeans.

Silver jewelries come in simple and economy friendly to the most elegant and expensive price but whichever your choice that would best represents your woman's personality and outlook in life will always be cherished by the recipient. So if you are looking for gifts that will symbolize your love, appreciation and friendship, consider silver jewelry as gifts to your loved ones. Silver can go with all kinds of clothes whether it is casual or formal and you will never regret the elegance and beauty it can give.

Silver.Ag/en is engage in producing fine and elegant silver jewelry such as silver pendants, silver rings and has been tested as a silver jewellery maker for over 15 years.

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.

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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.

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