An Interesting Overview of Silver Jewellery

1
An Interesting Overview of Silver Jewellery
2
Introduction

• Many times throughout history, people have
  valued silver more highly than gold. Long used as
  an exchange medium as well as for jewelry, silver
  has also found many new uses. Today, these
  include photography, batteries, auto glass
  defogger, and magnetic strips, just to name a
  few.
• Several factors make silver one of the most
  popular jewelry metals. Its luster ranks as its
  most outstanding visual feature. Silver is also
  more abundant and much less expensive than gold
  or platinum. However, because silver conducts
  heat so well, its more difficult to work than
  gold.

3
Drawbacks of Noble Metal

• This noble metal does have some drawbacks,
  though. Most notably, silver tarnishes. The term
  tarnish denotes a layer of corrosion that forms
  over some metals, including silver, when they
  undergo chemical reactions. The chemical reaction
  that causes silver to tarnish requires a compound
  called hydrogen sulfide. Since this compound can
  occur in our air, silver items left out exposed
  will tend to tarnish over time.

4
Silver Alloys

• similar to gold, pure silver is soft and easily
  damaged. Therefore, jewelry makers often alloy
  silver with harder metals to improve its
  durability. With silver alloys, they can make
  beautiful, strong pieces suitable for daily wear.

Sterling Silver
The commonly used silver alloy is sterling
silver. Sterling silver is made of 92.5 silver.
One or more metals comprise the other 7.5.
Often, copper makes up a substantial portion of
that 7.5, because it increases the alloys
hardness.
5
Mexican Silver

• The term Mexican silver refers to the silver
  used as currency in Mexico, typically comprised
  of 95 silver and 5 copper. This alloy sees more
  use as a currency than in jewelry. Even silver
  jewelry made in Mexico is more commonly crafted
  from sterling silver.

Coin Silver
In the United States, coin silver contains 90
silver and 10 copper. You dont usually see coin
silver used in jewelry.
6
Britannia Silver

• Britannia silver contains a minimum of 95.84
  silver, making it a more valuable alloy than
  sterling. This alloy does, rarely, see some
  jewelry use.

Other Silver Alloys
Youll find a variety of silver alloys used
worldwide. For example, a South American alloy,
made of 80 silver, doesnt tarnish.
7
Silver Jewellery Use

• Jewellery makers stamp silver pieces with a code
  for the alloy used. For example, 925 indicates
  sterling silver 958 indicates Britannia silver,
  etc. When shopping for silver jewelry, inspect
  the piece carefully for this code.

8
Conclusion

• Storing silver items in protective pouches or
  containers will reduce the amount of tarnish.
  This means youll spend less time removing
  tarnish from your silver jewellery. Yes, silver
  does require more care than some other precious
  jewelry metals.
• Sri Saravana Silvers, the Best Silver Jewellery
  Showroom in Madurai is well-known for its
  incredible collections of silver pooja articles
  in Madurai.