14k gold sterling silver blue topaz ring

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There’s only a slight price difference between sterling silver and fine silver. Sterling silver is one of the most affordable, high-quality jewelry materials, and it retains and may even increase its value. It’s harmful to some materials, but sterling silver isn’t one of them. Rust is corrosion that deteriorates iron. Give your sterling silver a simple polish, and it’s as good as new. But tarnish isn’t permanent or a cause for concern.

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Humidity, chlorine, make-up, cleaning products, and even the acid in your skin can all contribute to tarnishing. Sterling silver does tarnish when gaseous compounds in the air containing sulfur contact the sterling silver and react creating silver sulfate, which leaves a dark coating or tarnish on the silver. Gemstones are too easy to lose in a 999 silver setting. Sterling silver is also better for setting gemstones. Fine silver jewelry is easily damaged and not the best choice to wear on a regular basis. Sterling silver is better than silver when designing and wearing jewelry because it’s stronger and can look good for a lifetime. Which is better for jewelry–sterling silver or silver? Sterling silver will have a 925 or STER, and fine silver will have a 999 or FS. The best indicator is the marking, or hallmark, stamped on in small numbers or letters. Sterling silver and silver look exactly the same, and if you have silver jewelry, it’s most likely sterling.

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How to tell the difference between sterling silver and real silver Sterling silver is a high-quality material that’s both durable and beautiful to wear. While 925 sterling silver is less “pure” than silver, it does not mean it’s not good. Sterling silver is more easily tarnished than fine silver because of the other metals it contains. Silver is hypoallergenic, but sterling silver is not because it’s combined with zinc. Silver is soft and not as durable as sterling silver. It can last a lifetime and be passed on for many generations if properly cared for. Sterling silver is an alloy made mostly of silver and a small percentage of copper and zinc to strengthen it. What’s the difference between sterling silver and silver? If you want to know that your jewelry is genuine sterling silver beyond a shadow of a doubt, let an expert test it for you. If the price of silver jewelry seems too good to be true, it might be and probably is not - 925 sterling silver. If it smells strongly metallic, then your jewelry is not real sterling silver.

If the magnet sticks, your jewelry is not real sterling silver. Genuine sterling silver jewelry will be marked with these three numbers or STERLING or STER. If you’re looking for sterling silver jewelry, be careful to avoid silver-plated jewelry, which is jewelry made of a cheap metal coated in a thin layer of silver.

In the US, the ratio of silver to other metals in genuine sterling silver is regulated, but the percentage of silver in jewelry from other countries is often lower than 92.5%. Just like 14k or 18k gold jewelry, silver must be made into an an alloy to be wearable. It’s simply a mixture of real silver and just enough other metals to make it strong but not too difficult to mold. Sterling silver is real silver–there’s nothing fake about it. Today, the pound sterling remains the U.K.’s standard unit of currency. As one theory goes, King Henry II dubbed the durable coins made of silver alloy in circulation “Easterling coins,” which evolved into “sterling” silver. Sterling silver pieces are stamped with 925 to mark their authenticity. Sterling silver is an alloy made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper or zinc. But it’s just too pretty not to be used in jewelry and other fine decorations, so it’s often mixed with other metals to create a more durable material known as sterling silver.

On its own, silver is too soft for practical, everyday use. Silver is a bright, highly polishable metal that’s been used for currency, decorative objects, and jewelry throughout history, but not without support from other metals. What is silver?įine silver is 99.9% pure silver and does not tarnish. Next time you go jewelry shopping you won’t have to wonder because we’ll explain everything you need to know about silver and sterling silver jewelry.

Maybe you’ve inspected jewelry online or in a department store and wondered whether it was real silver or if there’s really a difference between sterling silver and pure silver. If you’re a jewelry lover, no doubt you’ve purchased or at least browsed sterling silver rings, necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. It symbolizes prosperity and is the gift to represent 25 years of marriage. Silver jewelry is gleaming and gorgeous and can be easily crafted into unique designs.