Is Silver the new Gold?

With the price of gold skyrocketing, silver jewelry seems to be becoming in higher demand.  In the past, wedding rings and most gemstone jewelry was made with gold.  But these days, you can find a lot of diamond and gemstone jewelry in silver.  We are often asked about whether or not it is a good idea to purchase precious gemstones on silver.  And our answers is "Yes it is!"  It is important to be informed about how to best care for silver jewelry.

Pure silver, also called fine silver, is soft and easily damaged.  In order to be sturdy enough to be made into jewelry, it is usually combined with other metals. A variety of other metals can be added to silver to improve its strength and durability. The most popular of these alloys is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent copper. Copper is the most popular because it is able to be added to silver without effecting the color while still increasing the hardness. Sterling silver is a good choice for jewelry because of its durability and beauty.

Sterling silver can be marked with words such as sterling, sterling silver, ster, or.925 to show the quality.
With proper care, your fine quality silver will last a lifetime. Silver jewelry should be stored in a cloth pouch or separate compartment in your jewelry box to minimize scratches and other damage. Silver should not be exposed to harsh chemicals such chlorine, bleach or ammonia as these can damage silver.

Silver can also tarnish when it reacts to sulfur and hydrogen in the air. Care can be taken to prevent this dulling process. A commercial product aimed at reducing tarnish can be used with a polishing cloth. Tarnish is most easily removed when it first becomes noticeable. Regular cleanings will keep your silver bright and shiny.  A cleaning at a jewelry store once a year is recommended to keep your silver looking new as well.