Tips For Recognizing Sterling Silver 925 And Other Precious Metal Jewelry

By Scott Fisher


A great way to dress up a simple outfit is with a piece of metallic jewelry. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a dramatic piece that everyone notices. You can find necklaces and bracelets at outlets and big box stores that will work but are not fine jewelry. When you decide to invest in quality jewelry, like sterling silver 925 however, you want to make sure you are getting something authentic.

If you have not bought a lot of sterling, you might not know there is an easy way to identify the real thing. When you are looking at a piece advertised as sterling silver, you need to find the hallmark. This will be the numbers 92.5, 925, or . 925 stamped into the metal. The numbers indicate the silver content in the piece. The rest of the material will be another element like copper.

When you are in the market for a quality metallic piece of jewelry, you should avoid anything that is described as plated. Plating is a coating of metal over the piece. The actual piece could be made out of any kind of less expensive metal such as nickel or copper. After you have worn the jewelry for a while, it will tarnish, and the coating will wear away.

Even if you're not spending a lot of money, it's a good idea to check the quality of necklace or bracelet clasps and chains. Clasps should feel secure when closed and open without difficulty. Chains should not have bends or kinks. You can check that by laying them on a solid surface to see if they will lay flat. New metallic jewelry is shiny. Vintage jewelry often is not.

Jewelry counters are often the first thing you see when you walk into a department store. There's a good reason for this. This is where a lot of people buy pieces, and many aren't aware of the substantial markup. Independent jewelry stores don't usually mark their pieces up to the same extent. For this reason, these stores have fewer sales and don't offer deep discounts.

You can often find great pieces in second hand stores, antique shops, and flea markets. You won't be looking a new jewelry in most cases, but the vintage pieces are often more interesting and intricate than modern jewelry. If you see someone wearing a piece you really admire, you shouldn't be shy about asking where the person found it.

You can find anything online, but you have to be smart about what you purchase, especially if you are looking at expensive metallic pieces. You have to depend on the photos and descriptions, which can be deceptive. The seller should be willing to discuss the pieces you are interested in and have a reasonable return policy.

Jewelry can be a lot of fun to shop for and wear. Spending a lot of money on trendy pieces may not be wise though. Once they go out of fashion, you probably won't wear them again. Classic metallic jewelry, if it is the real thing, is a much different story.




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