Humans have made silver jewellery for as long as they've adorned themselves. Known as the queen of metals, it is considered precious for both its beauty and rarity. Generally impervious to oxidation or corrosion, it also ranks among the "noble" metals. Its glowing white reminds many of the moon and they regard it as feminine. To others, its colour symbolizes purity.
Impurities in the air, such as sulfur, leads to tarnish, an unattractive dark surface layer. Tarnish also results from some body chemicals. Although not easily, tarnish may be polished off without harm. Unless the item includes gemstones, it can be placed in water to which detergent and a small amount of ammonia has been added. Most commercial products will safely clean it.
Metals that can be worked into thin sheets or wires are classified as malleable or ductile. Silver is both, which makes it desirable for fashioning into objects. On the downside, that softness keeps those items from lasting. Artisans prefer alloys, which means other metals have been added to make it harder. The colour is not changed by the addition.
Purity in alloys is expressed as fineness, frequently stated as a percentage. That percentage will be stamped on the finished item. Sterling, in common use, is 92.5 percent, or 925 fineness. It contains 7.5 percent of a stronger metal with 92.5 percent purity. A variety of metals may be used, however copper is the standard for sterling. Although now obsolete, Britannia, with a fineness of 950, was once popular.
An alloy named jewellery silver is 800 fineness. It's employed primarily in Europe, rather than in the United States. To confuse nomenclature, pewter, an alloy of tin, antimony, and copper, may also be called Britannia. It is a much different product than true Britannia. Tin, antimony, and copper may also be combined to make white metal. Although no longer produced, gold was once included to yield white gold.
Items such as money clips, are made sterling hardened in such a way as to provide a "spring". An alloy containing copper is used for coins. Fusing a sheet of copper between layers of pure metal creates Sheffield plate. White copper is manufactured from copper, nickel, and zinc. It's also called German or nickel metal. As the various alloys are sometimes sold as silver jewellery, experts advise buying from reputable vendors.
Impurities in the air, such as sulfur, leads to tarnish, an unattractive dark surface layer. Tarnish also results from some body chemicals. Although not easily, tarnish may be polished off without harm. Unless the item includes gemstones, it can be placed in water to which detergent and a small amount of ammonia has been added. Most commercial products will safely clean it.
Metals that can be worked into thin sheets or wires are classified as malleable or ductile. Silver is both, which makes it desirable for fashioning into objects. On the downside, that softness keeps those items from lasting. Artisans prefer alloys, which means other metals have been added to make it harder. The colour is not changed by the addition.
Purity in alloys is expressed as fineness, frequently stated as a percentage. That percentage will be stamped on the finished item. Sterling, in common use, is 92.5 percent, or 925 fineness. It contains 7.5 percent of a stronger metal with 92.5 percent purity. A variety of metals may be used, however copper is the standard for sterling. Although now obsolete, Britannia, with a fineness of 950, was once popular.
An alloy named jewellery silver is 800 fineness. It's employed primarily in Europe, rather than in the United States. To confuse nomenclature, pewter, an alloy of tin, antimony, and copper, may also be called Britannia. It is a much different product than true Britannia. Tin, antimony, and copper may also be combined to make white metal. Although no longer produced, gold was once included to yield white gold.
Items such as money clips, are made sterling hardened in such a way as to provide a "spring". An alloy containing copper is used for coins. Fusing a sheet of copper between layers of pure metal creates Sheffield plate. White copper is manufactured from copper, nickel, and zinc. It's also called German or nickel metal. As the various alloys are sometimes sold as silver jewellery, experts advise buying from reputable vendors.
