Silver has a simple elegance to it which makes it a very popular choice in accessories. Hand-crafted sterling silver pieces are considered to be the best since they are quite durable and will not lose their finish the way silver-plated designs can. When purchasing silversmith jewelry it's important to first have an understanding of what to look for.
Silver is an ideal alternative to gold for accessories since it typically costs less, and it is also more versatile in terms of which clothes it looks good with. It does not usually bother those who are allergic to some types of metal, but it can easily oxidize and look black if not cleaned often.
There are different types of silver used to create jewelry, but sterling silver is generally considered to be the best of these. Genuine sterling silver is a blend of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. Since pure silver is a very soft material, it's necessary to combine it with other metals and copper has proven to be the best choice. "Silvertone" pieces however, are merely coated in silver which will eventually wear off.
German silver is actually a blend of nickel, copper, and zinc which is silver-plated. Oxidized silver is treated with oxygen to give it an antiqued finish. Pure silver can be used to make jewelry but it is quite fragile and not suitable for daily wear. Sterling silver is soft but more firm with the added copper, making it easier for silversmiths to work with and is ideal for pieces with gemstones set into them.
If a silver piece is genuine, it will be identified as such with what is called a "fineness mark". This stamp will read either ster, sterling, sterling silver, or . 925 and will also need to show the manufacturer's signature or registered trademark in accordance to federal laws.
Anyone who is purchasing silver pieces should know how to spot imitation silver. This can be detected with some simple visual evaluations. Silver is heavier and softer than metals used in imitation pieces, if it is pricked with a needle, a small mark should be noted. Genuine silver is very shiny and glistening, while fakes are usually more dull in tone.
Silversmiths are craftsmen who produce these exquisite pieces through the centuries-old art of forging silver into jewelry. This metal is highly malleable so it can usually be worked with at room temperature but sometimes a blow torch is used for certain effects. They may use other techniques in their work such as engraving, either by hand or machine, "annealing" which uses heat for reshaping, and polishing with abrasive compounds to create a sheen on the piece. The price of silver jewelry is usually determined by the amount of work and the intricacy of the design.
Silversmith jewelry needs to be treated with care in order for it to last for many years. This includes storing it in a safe place to prevent scratches and avoiding contact with household bleach and ammonia, as well as chlorinated swimming pools. It should also be cleaned routinely using a polish which has been formulated for silver, ideally at the first appearance of tarnish.
Silver is an ideal alternative to gold for accessories since it typically costs less, and it is also more versatile in terms of which clothes it looks good with. It does not usually bother those who are allergic to some types of metal, but it can easily oxidize and look black if not cleaned often.
There are different types of silver used to create jewelry, but sterling silver is generally considered to be the best of these. Genuine sterling silver is a blend of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper. Since pure silver is a very soft material, it's necessary to combine it with other metals and copper has proven to be the best choice. "Silvertone" pieces however, are merely coated in silver which will eventually wear off.
German silver is actually a blend of nickel, copper, and zinc which is silver-plated. Oxidized silver is treated with oxygen to give it an antiqued finish. Pure silver can be used to make jewelry but it is quite fragile and not suitable for daily wear. Sterling silver is soft but more firm with the added copper, making it easier for silversmiths to work with and is ideal for pieces with gemstones set into them.
If a silver piece is genuine, it will be identified as such with what is called a "fineness mark". This stamp will read either ster, sterling, sterling silver, or . 925 and will also need to show the manufacturer's signature or registered trademark in accordance to federal laws.
Anyone who is purchasing silver pieces should know how to spot imitation silver. This can be detected with some simple visual evaluations. Silver is heavier and softer than metals used in imitation pieces, if it is pricked with a needle, a small mark should be noted. Genuine silver is very shiny and glistening, while fakes are usually more dull in tone.
Silversmiths are craftsmen who produce these exquisite pieces through the centuries-old art of forging silver into jewelry. This metal is highly malleable so it can usually be worked with at room temperature but sometimes a blow torch is used for certain effects. They may use other techniques in their work such as engraving, either by hand or machine, "annealing" which uses heat for reshaping, and polishing with abrasive compounds to create a sheen on the piece. The price of silver jewelry is usually determined by the amount of work and the intricacy of the design.
Silversmith jewelry needs to be treated with care in order for it to last for many years. This includes storing it in a safe place to prevent scratches and avoiding contact with household bleach and ammonia, as well as chlorinated swimming pools. It should also be cleaned routinely using a polish which has been formulated for silver, ideally at the first appearance of tarnish.
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