What Is Sterling Silver?
In its natural state, silver is 999/1000 pure. However, this purity makes silver too soft to be practical for everyday use. To add strength, silver is alloyed with stronger metals. Sterling silver contains a small percentage of alloyed metals, no more than 7.5%. The mark “925” is stamped or engraved into the back of each piece of genuine sterling silver, indicating that the metal is 92.5% pure.Partly due to alloyed metals, like copper, and partly due to its reaction to sulfur, sterling silver is prone to oxidation and easily tarnishes. Most jewelers who specialize in sterling silver products also carry tarnish removers, however many silver collectors prefer the definition that tarnish adds to engraved silver. Silver cloths can be used to polish the outermost surfaces of sterling silver, leaving the tarnish etched into the engraving and creating an antique look even on newer pieces,
Sterling silver can also be coated with tarnish preventatives. Typically though, silver coatings are softer than the precious metal they protect, wear away easily, and need frequent replacement.
Vermeil - the Color Gold on Silver
Although the outside coating of vermeil is 14 carat gold, its core is sterling silver and vermeil is often paired with sterling silver in crafting duo-toned, semi-fine jewelry,Sterling Silver Alternatives
To provide the look of silver at affordable prices, base metal is covered with a layer of pure silver. Yet even the best silver plate eventually erodes with extended use. In addition, many silver plated items contain nickel, which is frequently the culprit in allergic skin reactions to jewelry. Before purchasing silver plate jewelry, consider the several fine alternatives that shine with the color silver.Frequently, silver-colored metals are more desirable than and just as precious as sterling. For instance, both platinum and titanium are tarnish resistant, stronger, and more durable than silver and usually more expensive as well!
Once considered as base metals fit for only watchbands and hypoallergenic earring posts, stainless steel and surgical steel have experienced a surge in popularity, especially in the creation of body jewelry.
Platinum
Platinum got its name from its association with silver. When the Spanish conquistadors first found it in Columbia, they named it platina, meaning “little silver” and regarded it as a worthless impurity in the silver they mined. Today we know that platinum is a rare and very precious metal. It’s strong, durable, tarnish resistant, and completely hypoallergenic.Platinum comes from a large family of metals called platinum group metals (PGM), which includes iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium as well as platinum. Its cousin rhodium is frequently used in plating fine gold jewelry and adds extra luster as well as durability to the softer metal.
Titanium
Discovered in 1791, titanium was named for the Titans of Greek mythology. The Titans were giants, personified as being the forces of nature. Today the word Titan is synonymous with the words “giant” and “heavyweight”. Although titanium is 42% lighter than steel, it is indeed becoming a heavyweight and a giant in the crafting of fine jewelry.Titanium is the strongest metal on the planet. In addition, it is completely non-corrosive. It doesn’t react to salt, sun, and is the most biocompatible mineral known to man. These properties make titanium the preferred metal for use in medical implants and a very desirable alternative to silver in crafting fine jewelry.
Stainless steel
Not traditionally used in fine jewelry, stainless steel has experienced a surge in popularity in men’s jewelry and body jewelry due to its low cost and silver color. Stainless steel can be polished to be as reflective as chrome or brushed to look nearly like pewter.Implant grade surgical steel is non-corrosive and hypoallergenic. Those who choose stainless steel for body piercings should be sure that it is marked as implant grade surgical steel.