Jul 22, 2019

Sterling Silver Jewelry | What You Need To Know

Posted On: July 22, 2019

If you're searching for a jewelry gift or you're a lover of jewelry, then you've definitely come across sterling silver jewelry. Sterling silver is the standard for quality jewelry these days. It's extremely versatile, classically beautiful, and long-lasting. You may be wondering what makes it so popular and stunning in jewelry. And before gifting or buying sterling silver jewelry, it's definitely important to know the care involved, any limitations, and whether it will be a good fit for those who have metal sensitivities.

Benefits of Sterling Silver

There's a reason why sterling silver is so in demand in the jewelry industry! It's durable yet beautiful, timeless yet trendy. If you're on the hunt for a piece of jewelry that is going to last you for years at a relatively affordable price, look no further!

Sterling Silver vs Fine Silver

What's the difference? Fine silver has a silver content of 99.9%. That's a lot of silver! So can you use pure silver in jewelry? The answer is that it's simply too soft to be used in jewelry. Luckily for us, silver can be mixed with other metals to create an alloy that is more durable - perfect for jewelry making, wearing, and loving! In most cases, sterling silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5% will be copper, nickel, or zinc. If it has a lower percentage of silver, then it is not considered sterling silver in the United States. The required percent changes from country to country.

Is sterling silver good for those with metal sensitivities?

Unless you have a strong allergy to nickel, you should be okay with sterling silver. Sterling silver may contain traces of nickel, so make sure to do a little research before purchasing any sterling silver jewelry if you have a sensitivity. The good news is that sterling silver in most cases contains copper as the metal additive, which is less likely to cause any allergic reactions.

Ears tend to be extra sensitive to metal types, so you may be able to get away with wearing a sterling silver necklace but experience a reaction to sterling silver earrings. You may need to do a little experimenting to find out what works for you.

What makes sterling silver so perfect for jewelry?

As we mentioned before, sterling silver jewelry is durable and long-lasting when properly cared for. This means your sterling silver necklace can certainly become a family heirloom, passed down through generations. While certain metals may come and go through waves of popularity, it's certain that you will always find sterling silver jewelry available.

And you aren't limited - you'll always be able to shop sterling silver bangles, rings, necklaces, earrings, and so much more. While it's certainly not cheap, sterling silver is much more affordable than any solid gold jewelry and will last longer than cheap jewelry.

Another bonus is its versatility. Sterling silver jewelry can be made to look high-end which is perfect for dressing up. And on the other hand, it can be perfect for everyday wear.

Will Sterling Silver Tarnish, Rust, or Turn Green?

Having jewelry tarnish or turn your skin green are some of the most common worry when it comes to jewelry. Sterling silver will tarnish over time. Silver is not a very reactive metal but any metal additives may react with chemicals and moisture in the environment. The wonderful news is that sterling silver can easily be cleaned or refinished to keep it looking its best.

Another widespread concern is that jewelry will turn skin green. Sterling silver should not turn your skin green, however in select circumstances, it might. Copper is commonly mixed with silver to create sterling silver. Copper on its own does have a tendency to react with skin and the environment to leave a green-ish tint on skin. The amount of copper is so low in sterling silver that most people will not experience the green skin phenomenon. Some reasons why people may experience green skin from sterling silver include the varying chemical content of skin, the composition and amount of sweat the jewelry comes into contact with, and the products and creams used on skin that touches the jewelry.

How can you prevent jewelry from turning skin green? Make sure to keep jewelry dry. That means removing jewelry before showering, swimming, or participating in physical activity that may cause sweating. Also make sure that you always purchase the highest quality sterling silver available.
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How Long Will Sterling Silver Jewelry Last?

Solid sterling silver necklaces, bracelets, and rings can last for centuries with proper storage and cleaning. Even with tarnishing or mild damage, sterling silver jewelry can be easily cleaned and restored. See below to read how to store and care for your sterling silver jewelry! How to Care for Sterling Silver Jewelry

Will sterling silver get damaged in the shower?

Getting your jewelry wet in the shower may not cause too much damage but it might cause tarnishing to begin on the surface. It's best to keep sterling silver jewelry as dry as possible! And not to mention shower products contain all kinds of chemicals that might not get along so nicely with sterling silver!

Can you wear sterling silver jewelry in a pool?

Never, ever wearing sterling silver jewelry in chlorinated water. Chlorine can permanently damage the finish of your jewelry! You also shouldn't wear sterling silver at the beach. The salt water and chemicals in the sand may react negatively with your jewelry.

What's the best way to store and clean sterling silver jewelry?

To keep your sterling silver necklaces, rings, and bracelets looking their best, there are a few pre-cautionary steps you can take. The first is to make sure that when you aren't wearing your jewelry, that you store it in an airtight, dry place. You can also purchase cleaning cloths to polish your jewelry and remove any tarnishing on the surface. When you do polish your jewelry, another tip is to polish in an up and down motion rather than in circles, which can make tarnishing worse.

Don't use any cleaning solutions on your sterling silver jewelry. All that is required is a cleaning cloth. Some of which may contain light cleaning chemicals to remove any dirt or tarnishing!

If you've decided sterling silver is the best option for your or for a gift, we think you've made the right choice! It will last for years and is simply beautiful.

Shop Our Sterling Silver Jewelry Here.