Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing copper to give strength preserving the ductility of the silver and precious metal content. It is made .925 grade of silver and it is a soft metal and it is easy to deform, scratch and dent.
HistoryThe term sterling silver emerged in England by the 13th century. Sterling is believed to come
from Old Norman French esterlin (meaning little star) and old stiere (meaning strong, movable)
In the early 1800's the Spanish taught native Indians American to work with sterling silver that is made of turquoise stone . They used US coins to create the silver in jewelry. The native American used their true craftsmanship in the beauty of jewelry.
Sterling jewelry is inexpensive and affordable because of unique and creative design, and allows silver to market around the world. It is used to make charms related to religious workship and the symbol of comfort living. Sterling silver is much stronger than pure silver which is harder to work whenmaking pendants or charms. It is made of 90 percent silver and 10 percent is made of cooper, zinc, nickel and is more durable than pure silver but still retain its inherent beauty.
Use
Sterling silver to define your style and sterling jewelry silver goes with any skin stone, and is appropriate for any occasion. One of the most popular uses of
Sterling silver jewelry is in silver chain. Silver chain is made of different styles, including curb, cable, figaro, rope, box, snake, and herringbone. Some artisans use custom styling and may make silver chain in shapes like the rolled anchor, figure eight, alternating short- and long-link, diamond cut, and double rope. Silver chain provides the perfect backdrop for a locket or charm bracelet. A simple sterling silver necklace, bracelet, or ankle bracelet can also be worn on its own for understated elegance.
Caring for Sterling Silver JewelryTo preserve the beauty of your sterling silver jewelry, follow these steps:
* Exposure to the air causes silver to tarnish, so keep your sterling silver jewelry in a bag made from tarnish-proof cloth, or in airtight container.
* Avoid allowing your sterling silver jewelry to have prolonged contact with wood, as some woods contain acids that can dull the finish.
* Alcohol, acetone, bleach, ammonia, and turpentine can damage sterling silver jewelry, so be sure to remove your rings and other sterling silver jewelry before using these products.
* Regularly wipe down your sterling silver jewelry with a 100% cotton cloth, using a lengthwise, rather than circular motion.
* Remove light tarnish with a silver cloth, available at mass merchandisers and from jewelers.
* To remove heavy tarnish, use a liquid or paste silver polish and rinse with warm water. Make sure to dry it thoroughly before storing it in its cloth or airtight bag.
Resources:
Special Gifts Article
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