| Since silver is a very versatile metal for jewelry, | | | | for an antique. For those who prefer less shine, |
| the range of silver jewelry designs and pieces in | | | | you can also find matte finish silver jewelry at |
| the market today is quite amazing. Silver | | | | your online or local jeweler. |
| jewelry is one of the best ways to express your | | | | When buying silver jewelry, you will often come |
| own sense of style and character, and is a very | | | | across the phrase “sterling silver”, and it is |
| cost effective way to add life and spice to your | | | | important to understand what this means. |
| outfits. For example, a sterling silver pendant on | | | | Natural, pure silver is a soft metal. It is also quite |
| a simple silver chain is a beautiful fashion | | | | reactive with atmospheric oxygen and moisture |
| accessory that is sure to garner you attention | | | | and is readily tarnished by these materials. In |
| and compliments. Today, and for many decades | | | | order to improve its quality, it is mixed with other |
| now, silver jewelry has been high on the | | | | metals to create an alloy that is more workable, |
| popularity list for jewelry fans. Sterling silver | | | | durable and practical for fine and fashion jewelry. |
| earrings, bracelets, rings and pins can be worn | | | | The term sterling implies that the alloy contains no |
| with formal and casual outfits. One of the main | | | | less than ninety two point five percent silver. In |
| reasons for this popularity is that many jewelry | | | | most cases, the remainder if copper. It is for |
| fans are not comfortable with yellow gold. It | | | | this reason that most sterling silver jewelry will be |
| sometimes comes off as being gaudy and | | | | stamped or embossed and stamped with the |
| pretentious. Silver on the other hand has a much | | | | numbers nine, two and five. This stamp is |
| more sober and subdued color. And if the | | | | usually placed in an inconspicuous place on the |
| existing variety of silver jewelry is not sufficient | | | | piece of jewelry. For a sterling pendant, the |
| to satisfy every taste, designers are constantly | | | | stamp may be on the back of the setting, or on |
| working to achieve new and improved variations | | | | the bale of the pendant. In a freshwater pearl |
| of this beautiful metal. The most common look | | | | bracelet, the stamp will usually be found on the |
| for this metal is a clean, moderately to highly | | | | clasp. Look for this stamp to be sure that you |
| polished surface. Sometimes, the surface is | | | | are getting the quality of silver that you pay for. |
| preferentially oxidized to create a more exotic | | | | As always, buy your jewelry from a reputable |
| look. This is accomplished by using a chemical | | | | local or online dealer. |
| agent. The result is that the piece has the look | | | | |