What is pure silver?
Pure silver, also known as 999 silver, indicates that one thousand silver contains 999 grams of pure metal and the last gram contains various impurities. Pure silver is an abstract concept, as it is impossible to obtain absolute pure silver without any impurities.999 silver has a familiar whitish color. It is a rather soft, ductile metal. Its high plasticity makes it easy to process: it can be forged, drawn and rolled into thin wires and plates. However, this plasticity has a drawback: pure silver products are sensitive to deformation and scratching. As a result, solid jewelry in pure silver is rare. It is mainly found in the finest details. Nevertheless, in Japan there is a tradition of making pure silver jewelry that is rarely worn and stored in special cases to preserve its original shape and appearance.Sterling Silver
Since pure silver is not suitable for jewelry production, jewelers had to experiment with alloys until they found the right combination. And they found it: 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloyed metal. Sterling silver has the incredible look of 999 silver, but is much more durable and resistant.The term “sterling silver” comes from “easterling silver”. This was the name of the alloy used to mint coins in northern Germany. Over time, the name was shortened to “sterling silver” and came to mean silver coin. In the 12th century, a similar alloy became the standard for English coins and was adopted as the prototype for the English pound sterling.In sterling silver, copper is commonly used as the alloy metal. Sometimes, other metals are added in place of or in addition to copper to improve wear resistance, quality and color. For example, zinc, germanium and platinum can replace copper, while silicon and boron can be mixed in as additives. This alloy prevents tarnishing, but is it more expensive than traditional silver?To make a cheaper alloy, jewelers sometimes use aluminum, but this material proves too porous. Other non-traditional additives cause whitish surface deposits and accelerated tarnishing. As a result, copper remains the standard for sterling silver.Sterling silver jewelry is very attractive thanks to its subtle shiny finish and noble silver color. They are durable, resistant to tearing and wear. The only drawback is tarnishing, but don’t worry, it can take years before your ring or bracelet loses its attractive shine. Even if it does, you can easily remove tarnish with a soft cloth and soapy water.Feel free to browse our collection of Skull Rings.Other types of silver
The minimum permitted silver content in jewelry is 80%, with the remaining 20% made up of base metals. This type of alloy is suitable for silverware. For rings and necklaces, on the other hand, lower-grade silver alloys are subject to rapid oxidation. Nevertheless, these items are popular in France. We describe below the silver alloys commonly used in jewelry manufacture.Silver 800 is a mixture of pure silver and generally 20% copper. Due to this mixture, items have a slight yellow tint. The advantage of 800 silver lies in its excellent casting properties, enabling the creation of silverware that is difficult to scratch, bend or break. When this alloy is used in jewelry, it is necessary to clean and remove the oxide film regularly, otherwise there is a risk of blackening and discoloration.Silver 875 is an alloy in which silver accounts for 87.5% and the remaining 12.5% is a mixture of copper, germanium and silicon. Inexpensive but respectable jewelry and cutlery are cast from this alloy.Silver 960 is the highest standard used in jewelry and cutlery manufacture. This metal has a white hue and is ductile and soft, making it ideal for forging. Professional jewelers use this alloy to create works of art with open, complex elements.Inexpensive jewelry you can buy online, such as rings, earrings and pendants, is often made from “tribal silver” or “Tibetan silver”. These terms refer to alloys containing a small amount of silver or no silver at all. When you buy silver jewelry, you’re paying for the design rather than the precious metals.Silver finish
Rhodium plating
Some pieces of silver jewelry can be rhodium-plated. Rhodium is a white precious metal belonging to the platinum group. It is resistant to corrosion and oxidation, enabling plated items to retain their beautiful silver color from the very first day of purchase. Rhodium is denser than silver, giving it a smooth, shiny surface when polished.Black silver
You’ve probably already seen skull jewelry with a retro look thanks to blackened elements. Intentional blackening is achieved through a chemical process called blackening. First, a jeweler etches the surface of a silver ring or other object, then coats it with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and tellurium.After the blackening reaction, the substance is removed and the element is polished. Grooves and hollow elements acquire a saturated black color, while raised parts remain silvery and shiny.Oxidized silver
Oxidation can produce a similar effect. Jewelers typically use liver of sulfur to oxidize silver. A silver article is placed in a solution of water and this substance. During oxidation, the color of the silver can vary from light to dark gray.When an article is covered with an intentional oxide film, it acquires a noble, aged appearance. Neither blackened nor oxidized silver can be cleaned, as this would damage the oxide film and compromise the jewelry’s appeal.🔥PRODUCTS OF THE MOMENT🔥
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