Sterling | Sterling Silver

November 16, 2009

Tips on Selecting Sterling Silver Cutlery

Some people have high tastes when it comes to dining at home. They can also be connoisseurs of high quality living, signifying their prominent place in society. Whatever the reason, one way to show that you admire the good life is by collecting sterling silver cutlery either for occasional or daily use for your meals or just for display for your guests to admire.

This may be the best symbol of luxury, of one’s prominence in life and in society so buying an expensive set of cutlery can already be considered as a status symbol. For this reason, choosing a set is no laughing matter and requires more than just selecting from the store’s display.

While others buy their sterling silver cutlery, many are fortunate enough to inherit these instead. That is because expensive and high quality cutlery are often considered as a prized heirloom that has been constantly handed down from one generation to another. It is something a family takes pride of, and of course they do not shy away from showing it off to their friends.

Perhaps the most important thing that you should look for when buying a silver cutlery is to make sure if it is made of 92.5 percent pure silver. You should not look for a hundred percent pure silver cutlery set because there is no such thing. Silver at that point would be too soft for practical use that is why it has to be mixed with another metal to make it harder or stronger.

Also, if you are buying from a well known brand of cutlery, make sure that each piece of the cutlery set is hallmarked or simply marked by the company’s seal or logo. That is because it proves the authenticity of the cutlery and has an added impact of signifying prestige and excellence as all other things that are hallmarked.

Balance is also important with any sterling silver cutlery. For example, try holding a spoon from that cutlery set in a normal eating position. Does it feel too heavy on your fingers? Is one end too heavy that it droops without your knowing it? If that is the case then it is a poorly designed piece of cutlery because it lacks the characteristic of maintaining a good balance when being held.

You must also consider the box or the storage which comes with the cutlery. Remember, you will not be placing it in a manner as you would any ordinary set of spoon and fork. You definitely want a storage that is highly presentable and at the same time, very effective in maintaining the pristine condition of the cutlery set. If it is a box, check if the box is sturdy enough or if it is just made of cheap cardboard that will soften through time.

Buying a set of sterling silver cutlery is a status symbol so it is important that extra care is given in selecting and storing it. It is a high quality piece of utensils that can be given as a wedding gift or passed down to your children as a heirloom. Choose wisely so you will never regret your purchase.

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November 15, 2009

Things to Know When Buying Sterling Silver Jewelry

Filed under: Sterling Silver — Tags: buying sterling silver jewelry, jewelry, sterling, Sterling Silver, sterling silver jewelry — admin @ 12:00 pm

A sterling silver piece of jewelry may not be as expensive as gold or platinum, but are equally beautiful and stunning. It is usually a choice of preference by ladies who do not want to spend too much on their jewelry, especially if it is just for daily use. But that does not mean you should be very lax in buying a silver jewelry. There are still some important things that you should know before you finally end up purchasing a piece of jewelry and here are a few of them.

1. There is no such thing as 100 percent sterling silver.
Keep in mind that just like with gold, silver is very malleable, meaning it is very soft and that if it is made into any useful thing without any additional metal, it can easily be deformed. That is why you will usually see jewelry advertised as 92.5 percent pure silver, and never 100 percent. Sometimes it is also described as .925, 925 or just 92.5. These are all the same and it is just a matter of preference by the seller on how he or she would mention the amount of silver in that piece of jewelry.

2. The design also dictates the price.
It is not just the amount of pure silver that constitutes a piece of jewelry that determines its price, it is also the level of craftsmanship that has been incorporated in the design and construction. Just like with any other pieces of jewelry that are made of more precious metals, a silver jewelry will cost more if it is elaborately designed and of bigger size.

3. Keep your silver jewelry away from everyday chemicals.
These chemicals come in the form of the things that you usually put on your body. Examples of these are perfumes, alcohol, lotion and many more. While generally common everyday mixtures like these are safe, there are still some that can tarnish or cause your jewelry to fade. Just to be on the safe side, put on your silver jewelry last after you have done all of your other bodily rituals.

4. Inspect all of the pieces that make up the jewelry.
Are the latches working perfectly and smoothly? Does the latch or clip snap into place and can you feel that it holds securely? A good piece of sterling silver jewelry is always built and designed to last for many years. You can always feel a high quality work just by trying out its parts.

5. Also buy a cleaning kit for your silver jewelry.
A sterling silver piece of jewelry will naturally fade as it ages. There is no need to worry about this as it is also very easy to clean it and bring it back to its original luster. You can either bring it back to the jewelry store from which you bought it to have it cleaned or you can clean it yourself. When you purchase your jewelry, you can also buy a cleaning kit which is very inexpensive and lets you do the cleaning yourself. There is a certain level of advantage when you clean your jewelry yourself. One is that you get to know more about your jewelry and second, you further understand how to take care of it properly.

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November 14, 2009

Sterling Silver and Allergy

Filed under: Sterling Silver — Tags: and allergy, sterling, Sterling Silver — admin @ 12:00 pm

Many people would often claim that they are allergic to sterling silver jewelry and they can only wear gold or white gold but researcher says that the cause of the allergy is not because it is sterling silver but because it has some nickel content. In fact, many people do suffer from nickel allergy. Since most of the sterling silver is 97.5% pure silver and 7.5% of unknown substance, the unknown substance percentage seems to be the problem.

As far as nickel allergy is concerned, a lot of jewelry makers do not combine nickel to their sterling silver product because they claim that there are already other metals that are much cheaper that can be combined to sterling silver to achieve the malleability, the strength and the glossiness that the consumer is looking for and aside from that, nickel has already been banned from some parts of Europe. Some manufacturer do not use nickel anymore because they said a lot of complains and complications arises with the use of nickels.

Copper is the standard metal used to combine with sterling silver. Copper jewelry is generally considered pure and nickel or nickel alloy free. Titanium jewelry is hypoallergenic and is proven durable. This metal is highly recommended for those people who suffer from nickel allergy. Somehow, some of the jewel manufacturer has found a way to combine titanium into their jewelry. It is either combined literally or is used to coat or plate the sterling silver jewelry piece.

Another element that either is combined or plated to sterling silver is rhodium. Unfortunately rhodium is a bit harder metal that sometimes cracks if the blending procedure is incorrect. That is why it is essential for you to ask an expert when purchasing your piece of jewelry especially if you have some allergy issues. Make sure that the jewelry is nickel free or better yet purchase a fine silver jewelry. Fine silver are silver that by definition states that it contains 99.9%pure silver. This metal is normally soft and does not withstand normal wear and tear factor. There are only a few of these available in the market because a lot of jewelers don’t like to sell this for the fact that it doesn’t withstand the wear and tear factor.

Sterling silver’s price varies depending on the brand, manufacturer and the design. However they are less expensive compared to white gold but they also have that elegant and sophisticated factor. Some people even prefer the corroded look already especially for the gothic appeal.

These days, the use of sterling silver is gaining more popularity than before. It is even use as wedding bands or rings. Some jeweler even crafted engagement ring out of sterling silver. Some even made their sterling silver jewelry as an heirloom to be passed down for generations to come. Sterling silver has already proven its uniqueness even as early as the Hellenistic Era. It is used as a medical instrument during that time. Some of the world’s leading musical instruments manufacturer such as Selmer even uses sterling silver to manufacture saxophones because he believed that sterling silver brings a more colorful timbre compared to any other metals.

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November 13, 2009

Save your money — get your own Sterling silver jewelry

Filed under: Sterling Silver — Tags: jewelry, sterling, Sterling Silver, sterling silver jewelry — admin @ 12:00 pm

Most often, people who are used to wearing jewelry feels underdressed whenever they miss putting on some of them before going outside of their homes. Nowadays, pieces of silver sterling jewelry such as silver bracelets and silver chains have recently claimed its popularity for the average person in the US. Contrary to the previous generation, men just like women, are now becoming conscious of their accessories. They would prefer to wear bigger bracelets and rings to emphasize their manly yet stylish side.

A gleaming substitute

It is a fact that these days the way we choose a piece of jewelry is determined by our budget. Although gold jewelry is quite tempting to buy, it is not a wise purchase for the average individual. However, there is an alternative to every expensive gold piece we find in luxurious shops, these are the white metals. Jewelry designers are taking pride on producing an immense number of these metals with different styles which are made of sterling silver. In return, people do not only become attractive but they are able to save their money as much as possible.

It’s getting the crowd’s attention

There are various reasons why silver jewelry has been gaining fame these days. Firstly, its properties permit it to be intricately carved in a variety of fine designs from feminine earrings to amazingly bold chains that are well-suited for men. Secondly, silver jewelry can be personalized by engraving names, dates of important events or anything that accords to the buyer’s taste. Third, you may also oxidize it to obtain a vintage look. Lastly, silver can be used as an enhancer to emphasize the color of various gemstones, sufficiently attractive that it is the number one choice for averagely priced accessories such as earrings and pendants. The versatility of silver is the main reason why people opted for this metal compared to other types.

A lot of birthstones such as peridot and garnet are conspicuously seen in various impressive designs. The inexpensive pricing of laboratory grown jewels and crystals allows them to become the most appropriate choice for a silver jewelry that includes man-made emeralds and synthetic opal.
Information you need to know prior to your purchase:

To be sure that you obtain a real silver, Federal Trading Commission (FTC) imposed a rule that each piece must be composed of 92.5 percent pure silver
You must avoid hairsprays, oil or perfume to come in contact with your silver jewelry
If you ever find markings or trademarks on your pieces of jewelries that you find difficult to comprehend, ask assistance from a reliable jeweler.
Aside from its craftsmanship, the pricing is mainly based on the metal’s content. These are the 2 factors you must basically put into consideration before getting one.
Pay attention to the durability of the clasps. Poorly designed clasps may be a sign that it is not worth to purchase since it may cause you to lose that jewelry without even noticing it.

Therefore, Silver jewelry is indeed affordable, easy to manage and greatly contributes to your daily clothing style. Utilizing this type of jewelry will cost you less and gives you more than what you have paid for. Moreover, extra caution must be made before deciding what piece of jewelry suits you best.

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November 12, 2009

Getting a sterling silver jewelry like a pro

Filed under: Sterling Silver — Tags: jewelry, sterling, Sterling Silver, sterling silver jewelry — admin @ 12:00 pm

A person’s love for jewelry may vary and this could be referred to 2 types of people, those who can afford to buy an inexpensive silver-plated jewelry or those who are capable of purchasing pure silver. However, when a customer asks for a higher grade of sliver, they may be referring to sterling silver jewelry.

The major facts about sterling silver

Since 1700s, silver has been known as a fine metal for jewelry. Although it was constantly used prior to such time, the revelation of tremendous amount of silver in the western hemisphere influenced the increase of jewelry production from that time on until the present. In its natural form, silver is quite soft and is not capable of producing a good piece of jewelry. This is the reason why silver is being mixed with various metals to obtain durability upon daily wear. The mixture of silver and various metals makes it sterling silver.

The Federal Trade Commission has established the minimum requirement of genuine silver and that must comprise a percentage of purely 92.5% silver. The usual combination of jewelry is composed of silver and copper. The former becomes increasingly durable upon the addition of copper. However, copper may also cause the susceptibility of the jewelry to corrode. Once jewelry begins to corrode, there is a noticeable color change and is usually darker than the usual.

Kinds of silver jewelry

You may observe that any form of sterling silver may be available online. You may purchase chains according to your preferred size and needs. Customizing your own jewelry may make it easier to produce. This may include the adjustments of your wrist or neck size. Furthermore, you do not need to experience the dilemma of trying to purchase something that you really like however it does not fit your size.

A silver jewelry can have customized clasps such as toggles of lobster claw clamps. You may also. You may purchase a lot of silver pendants to fit your chain and simultaneously vary pendants with what suits your outfit for the day. In addition, handmade chains offer silver bracelets, ankles, earrings and rings.

Caring for Jewelry

The downside of obtaining sterling silver is its vulnerability to tarnish and obtain a patina. Although if you intend to get the patina appearance, then go for it. However, if you like to maintain its color and shiny property, you must polish it with a nice cotton cloth. Prevent yourself from getting abrasive cleansers and keep it in tarnish prevention bags. Keep in mind that a minimally humid atmosphere is highly beneficial to your jewelry. Furthermore, if you must place your jewelry in a box, make sure that it does not get entangled with other pieces which often contribute to a displeasing appearance.

Therefore, you will never go wrong in purchasing silver sterling jewelries. Aside from the fact that these can be worn in any occasion, it is also definitely inexpensive. Adequate guidance before a purchase is vital, and once you have already your own be certain that you will take good care of it.

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