8 STERLING SILVER FACTS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

1
8 STERLING SILVER FACTS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

2
STERLING SILVER IS THE PREFERRED JEWELRY OF MANY
IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY. BEFORE YOU JUMP IN ON
THE SILVER RUSH HERE ARE 8 MUST KNOW SOLID
STERLING FACTS.

There have been some changing trends in precious
metals over the years. The rise of rose gold and
the shifts between yellow gold, white gold, and
back again are just a few. There are a few
favourites that have stood the test of time,
though, and sterling silver is one of them.
As with other types of jewellery, sterling silver
jewellery is something that can last a lifetime
or longer. The trick is educating yourself about
metal and learning how to take care of it.
Whether youre new to solid sterling silver or a
lifelong fan, heres what you need to know.
3
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SOLID STERLING SILVER
If you want your silver pendant chain for women
pieces to become family heirlooms, you need to
know how to protect them. Start with these
essential facts.
1. STERLING SILVER IS AN ALLOY
Most people have heard of sterling silver but not
everyone knows what it is. Sterling silver is an
alloy, which means its a mixture of a few
metals.
Unlike fine silver or pure silver, sterling
silver is 92.5 silver. The remaining 7.5 can be
any one of several other metals or a combination
of metals. Its most often copper, but the
composition can vary.
4
2. STERLING SILVER MAY HAVE ASSAYERS MARKS
Have you noticed mysterious markings on your
sterling silver jewellery? Theyre likely to be
assayers marks.
Assayers marks tell you about the origins of
your sterling silver. You may see an image like
an animal or another symbol. This signifies the
country where the sterling silver was made.
In addition to the manufacturers country, youll
often see a number that notes the purity of the
silver. Because sterling silver is 92.5 silver,
the marking will say 925.
3. STERLING SILVERS VALUE VARIES
Sterling silver isnt considered an investment
metal because its not a pure precious metal.
Even still, its value changes based on the price
of silver because it has such a high silver
content.
If you ever choose to sell your sterling silver
jewellery, its a good idea to research the
silver prices and choose your timing wisely.

5
4. STERLING SILVER IS STRONGER THAN PURE SILVER
You may ask yourself, why would anyone bring down
the value of silver by adding another metal to
it? If youve ever seen anything that was pure
silver and wasnt brand new, youd know why.
Silver is a soft metal. It doesnt hold its shape
well and its prone to dents and scratches. Its
beautiful for display decor, but not for any
items that may get frequent use.
Adding copper or other metals makes sterling
silver harder and more durable than pure silver.
This makes it more practical for jewellery,
cutlery, and more.
5. STERLING SILVER CAN TARNISH
While adding copper to silver makes sterling
silver more shape-stable, it also makes it
tarnish faster. The copper or other metals come
into contact with oxygen and other environmental
conditions, leaving a tarnish behind.
Over time, tarnishing can do serious damage to
sterling silver. To keep your pieces looking
their best, you need to clean your sterling
silver on a regular basis.
A simple polish with a soft cloth-like microfiber
goes a long way. Be careful to avoid anything
abrasive, though, so you dont scratch the
jewellery.
6
6. SOME TYPES OF STERLING SILVER ARE EASIER ON
SKIN THAN OTHERS
Most of us have had at least one frustrating time
when we fell in love with a new piece of
jewellery only to get a rash the first time we
wore it. For people who have sensitive skin,
sterling silver can irritate their skin.
Some manufacturers use one of several processes
to put a damper on irritation. One option is
flashing, which applies a thin layer of pure
silver on top of the sterling silver. Sterling
silver pieces that have an unusually bright sheen
are usually have flashed.
Another common process is plating. Its similar
to flashing but it uses a different type of metal
like copper or nickel.
You may also hear about sterling silver jewellery
thats coated with rhodium. This makes the pieces
more resistant to tarnishing.

7
7. YOUR STORAGE CHOICES CAN CAUSE STERLING SILVER
TO TARNISH FASTER
As important as regular polishing is, there are
other ways to keep tarnishing at bay.
Humidity is one of the worst culprits of
tarnishing. Store your sterling silver in a
jewellery box, display case, or other enclosed
place and include desiccate packets. These will
absorb the humidity in the case and protect your
jewellery.
If you arent displaying your jewellery or if
youre storing it long-term, there are other ways
to keep it from tarnishing. Store it in
jewellers cloths or in polyurethane bags to keep
the oxygen away.

8
8. CERTAIN CHEMICALS AND MINERALS ARE TOXIC TO
STERLING SILVER
As challenging as it can be to keep oxygen and
moisture away from sterling silver, there are
other precautions to take too.
One of the most damaging chemicals for sterling
silver is chlorine or bleach. Never wear silver
pendant chain for women or jewellery while you
swim or while you clean with bleach.
While saltwater pools are becoming popular, you
still need to take off your jewellery. Salt is
another major risk factor for corroding sterling
silver.
Perfume and hair spray can damage your favourite
jewellery as well. If youre getting ready for a
night out, its best to apply your perfume and
hair spray first. Wait for it to dry before you
put on your jewellery.
Finally, too much exposure to direct sunlight can
damage the sterling silver. We arent saying you
shouldnt wear your jewellery outside. Just store
it in an area thats away from the sun.
To find your new favourite piece of jewellery,
shop our latest jewellery pieces today.