There is perhaps no other rare earth metal that is as luxurious and sophisticated as silver. It has been associated with power and wealth since time immemorial and is the choice material for many jewelers and discerning jewelry collectors.
Sterling silver –that material synonymous with opulence and decadence –is any silver that is made up of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other alloys like copper. Sometimes, it is also coated with a coating of 0.999% pure silver to give it a shine and luster that is unparalleled from other types of jewelry.
Despite its reputation, many people still think that sterling silver only has limited uses, or that it’s only good as an alternative to white gold. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
Sterling silver is, in fact, one of the most preferred materials in jewelry making. This is because sterling silver has the uncanny ability of giving any piece of jewelry a trendy look while making it look timeless as well. Real sterling silver is marked with an etching of the number 925 Italy or 925 Italy Silver. It can also be etched with 925 USA, or wherever country it was manufactured in.
Whether you’re looking for everyday accessories or a timeless statement piece, you’ll probably find sterling silver jewelry that seems like it’s been tailored to your personal tastes.
Here are more reasons why sterling silver is the perfect type of jewelry for you.
Sterling Silver Lasts a Lifetime (and more)
One of the hallmarks of sterling silver is its durability. It is this durability that make it popular with people because not only can they wear it during their lifetime, they can also pass it on to their children as a token of remembrance, or even as a family heirloom.
This is one of the reasons why sterling silver doesn’t come cheap: the price makes for the high-quality metal you get that will last you decades, even multiple lifetimes (with proper care).
Of course, just make sure you get real sterling silver from a reputable jeweler. To check, make sure that it has the marking 925 Italy or 925 plus the country where it was manufactured or something similar. Be suspicious of any accessory that claims to be sterling silver but does not have any of these markings.
Sterling Silver Jewelry is Forever Fashionable
Jewelry fashion trends may come and go, but a well-crafted, well-designed sterling silver is forever. Anyone with a sterling silver accessory can rest assured that their piece will be fashionable throughout the decades.
Regardless of the era, designers will always use sterling silver as a critical component of their jewelry designs, making it a mainstay in haute couture. Whether it’s for spring, summer, fall, or winter, or if its uncut minerals or gemstones, they will almost always be set in sterling silver.
Sterling Silver Has Endless Diversity and Versatility
Many jewelers prefer working with silver because of its malleability. As a soft metal, silver can be experimented with and molded in various ways, making it easy for anyone to create classic masterpieces or contemporary works of art.
This means that sterling silver is the perfect choice for anyone looking to expand their jewelry collection with a wide range of designs and is essential in creating your own personal style.
Because of the diversity of available designs, sterling silver is one of the most versatile pieces of jewelry that a person can own. A well-designed sterling silver piece can be worn on any occasion, whether formal or informal. That’s because silver adds a touch of class for any look, setting, or gemstones.
Sterling Silver is Hypoallergenic
Unlike cheap accessories made of brass, nickel, or other base metals, silver is not known for causing allergic reactions in people. This is especially important for people who wear silver piercings in sensitive areas like earlobes, belly buttons, and other areas. Often, the purer the metal, the less chance a person will have an allergic reaction.
Most of the time, people who suffer allergies from jewelry get it from accessories that are made of majority base metal. Sterling silver or 925 silver, like mentioned earlier, contains 92.5% silver, which is more than enough to neutralize the allergenic effects of nickel or, more commonly, copper.
It’s Easy to Maintain Sterling Silver
All metals can tarnish the more you use it, that’s just its nature. However, with sterling silver, wearing it more often actually helps it avoid tarnish because our bodies natural oils help “clean” the surface and keep it free of oxidization.
Maintaining sterling silver is an easy process, particularly with 925 Italy Silver. This type of sterling silver requires much less polishing than purer pieces of silver. Just make sure to keep them dry and away from harsh chemicals and to store them in proper jewelry boxes that minimize air exposure.
Malleable, durable, and beautiful, sterling silver is the choice metal for designers. This noble metal has found its way into many items other than jewelry: silverware, chandeliers, bowls, candlesticks, and other house fixtures. But sterling silver’s inherent beauty comes out when it’s worn on the body.
Sterling silver is a rare material because it can be worn everyday as a subtle, sophisticated accent for any outfit or as an elegant centerpiece for a special occasion. Either way, sterling silver jewelry can be tailor-fitted to your personal wants and needs.
Image Credits: Sterling Silver from HelloRF Zcool /Shutterstock