Silver and sterling silver jewelry: Everything you need to know

Silver as a metal is very malleable and cannot be fashioned into heavy jewelry. On the other hand, sterling silver is not pure and is quite hard and perfect for jewelry. Sterling silver has been used for centuries and is still being used for many purposes.

Sterling silver is an alloy with about 92 percent pure silver and the rest being copper or sometimes zinc. The result is a hard but malleable metal which can be fashioned into intricate pieces. Historically, sterling silver also was used for cutlery and tableware. There is a lot of sterling silver jewelry in Fountain Valley that you should explore if you like silver, and prefer intricate designs.

Cost of sterling silver
Sterling silver is still an affordable alloy to use for fashioning pieces of jewelry. A lot of the women’s fine jewelry in Fountain Valley have used the alloy, and the results are just as captivating, but lighter on the pockets. Different countries have differing standards for quality and what may pass in Germany as sterling silver will definitely not in the US. Similarly, Italy is more stringent with the percentage of silver in the sterling silver composition, and what is good in the US will not hold its own in Italy.

You should be careful with your pieces in case it is sterling silver plated. Plated items are cheaper as the plating wears off. You can, of course, take it to your store for jewelry repair in Fountain Valley. Jewelers will use a method called electroplating to replace the coating and make it look as good as new.

Get in touch with Ballard & Ballard today for all your jewelry needs in Fountain Valley. 

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